Charlene Grandison

My name is Charlene Grandison, I am a highly creative accessory designer from the UK 

seeking career progression in a ‘Permanent’ Design position in London. 

The right candidate 

I have a strong belief in my skills, creative thinking, and the new skills that I continue to 

acquire through my own initiative, which includes frequent visits to fashion, tech, cultural & networking events. Coming from a strong accessory design background, I have sort ways to keep my ideas fresh, exciting and contemporary with a splash of vintage glamour, as I am inspired by high profile brands such as Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Mc Queen & also everyday chic brands like Mansur Gavriel, Marni, Loeffler Randall & Jaquemus.  

Whilst, initially my career started as an accessory designer, the pandemic caused me to make a tenacious shift. I challenged my skills & I took a leap into Active footwear, which has now also given me a plethora of great new skills, a new perspective, and a renewed passion for the detail of fashion accessory design.

You will find that I am someone who comes with a growth mindset, continually learning, and absorbing new content & ideas, with a focus on delivering the key requirements needed in the production of high quality design, whilst creating a fun, positive &progressive environment.

Background

 I come from a background of multiple design disciplines in ready to wear Fashion accessory products which includes - Bags/wallets/Belts/add on trinkets for hair and beauty, but also includes, Home/office/Lifestyle items (Leather-bound items), and now also footwear.

I have worked across predominantly Women’s & Men’s, and also have experience with kids. 

The environments & markets have been a mix of Luxury direct to market (Ralph & Russo) High street- Radley, large multi-label & product companies (JD Sports/ Aston Martin), client-focused companies (Private design labels), which means I have experience with both fast-paced, Luxury & from within the manufacturing plant team, with leather machinist experience, it has been my pleasure to go above and beyond in support of my team.

Key Companies /Notable Brands

• Dragon Fly -   CAD colourist, trend researcher, Footwear development, technical spec for factory, photoshop edits for B2B clients sales.  
• Pelicans - ‘Design Manufacturing solutions’ Full-service Product development, Fashion design for automotive, hospitality, corporate gifting & Luxury lifestyle brand.
• Radley - High Street brand CAD Art working SS19, House styles.
• Ralph & Russo - Luxury Lifestyle brand, Celebrity following, Couture house, British/Italian/French manufacturing, High-End product. 
• Jaeger - British Tailoring & Heritage brand

 Key Skills 

-Organised & self-motivated team player

-Design to a Brief, team collaborations

-Moodboard Prep/presentations

-Competitive research

-CAD working e.g. A.I/PS/InDesign & Hand drawing skills

-Effective Communication skills  e.g factories/suppliers both UK & abroad (China/India/Italy Travel included.)

-Research & Idea development Tradeshows

-Sourcing & collating fabric swatches/samples (Travel included )

-Sampling & production processes

-Order, management, and cataloging (Adhoc admin)

-International travel/work abroad

Thank you for your consideration 

Charlene Grandison

Harrow London

Design Assistant CAD Colourist July 2021- Current role to date

Dragon Fly UK (Fashion/Footwear Manufacture ) Current Role

Freelance Designer, Sep 2018 - July 2021

Independent Work

Accessory Design assistant, Jun 2018 - Sep 2018

Ralph and Russo atelier Supporting Head Designer

Temp cover CAD worker, Apr 2018 - Apr 2018

Radley

Senior Fashion Accessory & Product Designer (handbags SLG)s, Mar 2016 - Jul 2017

Pelicans Group Luxury suppliers FT Role

Education History

Qualification,  - Present

• 2017 – July-August PT Private tutor Intermediate CAD - Flats/fashion Illustration in Adobe A.i & PS - Pass
• 2017 – March PT course Fashion Textile Museum CAD Flats & fashion Adobe A.i -Certificate Pass
• 2016 – December PT course Fashion Textile Museum (FTM) Illustration Pattern design-Pass
• 2006 - July- August London Apparel - Manual pattern Cutting Short Course - Pass
• 2003 – 2007- Middlesex University - BA Hons in Applied Art & Fashion- 2