Black & White pencil portraits
Neeti Manral Harish
CREATIVE HEAD, FASHION DESIGN
Chennai
Summary
Pioneering Head of Design at NO GREY AREA, I spearheaded innovative collections blending traditional Indian art, textiles and silhouettes with modern aesthetics. My strategic thinking and design leadership enhanced brand identity and market presence. Skilled in design ideation, trend forecasting, textile innovation and team management, I fostered collaboration and sustainable practices, significantly contributing to the brand's vision and growth.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
HEAD OF DESIGN
NO GREY AREA
Chennai
01.2022 - Current
- Leading the research and development phase at the inception of each collection, I, along with the Creative Director establish the key design concepts that form the foundation and distinct identity of the collection. This process involves thorough exploration of trends, materials, cultural influences, and innovative techniques, ensuring the final designs are both forward-thinking and authentic to the brand's vision.
- During my tenure at NGA, I successfully integrated traditional Indian textiles and print techniques into the brand's aesthetic, creating a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity. Collaborated closely with artisans to honor craftsmanship and authenticity, contributing to the establishment of the brand's unique visual identity deeply rooted in Indian culture and history.
- Undertook multiple trips across the country to identify and collaborate with vendors and factories, sourcing raw materials and engaging with weavers, mills, stockists, printing and dyeing units, and laundries. Leveraged vendor fairs and direct contacts to establish reliable partnerships for various production needs.
- Developed comprehensive range plans at the outset of each collection, ensuring a well-balanced assortment that catered to diverse customer segments and price points, ultimately enhancing the collection's market appeal
- Fostered strong cross-functional collaboration between the design team and key departments such as merchandising, sampling, and production. By facilitating clear communication and alignment, I ensured the seamless integration of design elements into the final products, balancing creative vision with practical considerations to meet market demands and production timelines.
- Successfully showcased NGA's Spring/Summer 2024 collection at Lakmé Fashion Week under the prestigious GENNEXT category, earning recognition for innovation and design excellence on a prominent industry platform.
- Oversee the brand's bespoke orders, ensuring precise communication between the MBO and the development team to deliver products that align seamlessly with client requirements. Identify potential bottlenecks and provide effective design solutions to address challenges and maintain quality standards.
- Successfully built and led a diverse, talented design team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Through mentorship and guidance, I ensured that junior designers were aligned with the brand's core values and DNA. This approach played a key role in developing successful collections that resonated with the brand's vision and achieved strong market impact.
- Collaborated with the sales and marketing team to drive revenue growth and achieve the brand's business development goals. Contributed to brainstorming sessions and provided engaging content for social media posts and promotions. Styled garments for e-commerce shoots, creating visually compelling imagery to enhance brand appeal and customer engagement.
- Championed sustainable design practices within the company, reducing environmental impact through thoughtful material selections and efficient production techniques.
AGM-Design
Evolv Clothing Company
Chennai
03.2007 - 12.2021
- Conceptualized and built season specific collections for leading brands from Europe and USA, informed by thorough trend research and a deep understanding of each customer's unique requirements. Ensured that every collection was not only trend-forward but also strategically aligned with market demands, driving both customer satisfaction and sales.
- Liaised closely with the merchandising and sampling teams throughout the prototyping process, ensuring seamless execution from the buyer’s techpacks to prototype approval and subsequent transition to sales samples. Actively facilitated design solutions at various stages, including patterning, product enhancement through print, embroidery, washes, and fabric exploration, during both prototype and SMS stages, ensuring the final product met design specifications and quality standards.
- Part of a two-member team representing the company at the Tokyo Fashion Sourcing Fair in 2019. Developed innovative and visually striking products across all categories, specifically curated for the fair, presenting a well-rounded collection that highlighted the company's expertise in design, development and production.
- Attended numerous sourcing fairs across Europe and Asia, actively seeking innovative materials and production partners to enhance the quality of products being offered.
- Made multiple visits to Europe to engage directly with buyers, presenting new collections and fostering strong relationships to drive business growth and ensure alignment with market trends. Traveled domestically to present collections on behalf of the company to various buying houses.
- Collaborated closely with textile mills to develop directional yarn-dyed fabric designs, exploring diverse weaves and finishes. Focused on introducing innovation, creativity, and freshness into collections through unique textile developments and cutting-edge fabric techniques.
- Mentored junior designers throughout my tenure at Evolv, acting as a guiding force in shaping their career paths. By providing hands-on guidance, constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative environment, I helped nurture their growth into successful professionals and effective team players, contributing to the overall strength and cohesion of the design team.
- Actively contributed as a member of a dedicated team focused on strengthening the company’s sustainable practices. Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to support ongoing sustainable operations at the head office, helping to drive initiatives that aligned with the company’s long-term environmental goals and corporate responsibility.
Designer
Anika Apparels
Mumbai
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Successfully transitioned to woven apparels from leather during my tenure at Anika Apparels.(Earlier known as Creative Impex)
- Worked as part of a team of designers under the direct guidance of the Managing Director, contributing to strategic design initiatives and key creative projects.
- Designed innovative womenswear collections with a strong focus on surface manipulation and texture enhancement. Specialized in embroidery techniques, appliqués, fabric manipulation, dyeing, and other advanced textile techniques to create unique and visually captivating designs.
- Managed multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.
- Gained hands-on experience working alongside skilled hand embroidery artists, leading to the development of an extensive range of embroidery and appliqué techniques that enriched the design process.
- Collaborated closely with local dyers to develop innovative patterns and striking color combinations, enhancing the visual appeal and uniqueness of the garments.
Jr. Designer Cum Merchandiser
Orion Conmerx
Gurgaon
06.2004 - 09.2005
- Liaised with prominent buying houses such as Triburg and Li & Fung to coordinate with U.S.-based brands specializing in leather garments, ensuring seamless communication and alignment with client expectations.
- Worked to bring the buyer's vision to life by translating technical sheets into meticulously crafted products, ensuring alignment with design specifications and quality standards.
- Played an integral role in developing proto samples and overseeing the process through to the salesman sample stage. Responsibilities included sourcing appropriate leather, trims, and linings, and coordinating with the sampling department and buying house to ensure timely deliveries with minimal corrections.
- Enhanced the company's product portfolio by researching and developing innovative finishes on leather surfaces through close collaboration with tanneries. Presented through finished swatches during customer meetings, showcasing creativity and technical expertise.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Leather Garments & Accessories
National Institute of Fashion Technology
Kolkata, India 06.2002 - 05.2004
Skills
Design research
Conceptualization
Creative direction & Innovation
Range plan creation
Holistic thinking
Team management
Surface embellishments
Silhouette development
Textile innovation
Innovation in washes & finishes
Fashion Styling
Additional Information
- Short course in: Fashion & Textile Forecasting from Central Saint Martin's, London in July 2014
- Completed an online course in Fashion Styling from Business Of Fashion, 2020
Interests
Reading
Educating myself on improving & adapting to a more sustainable lifestyle
Timeline
HEAD OF DESIGN
NO GREY AREA
01.2022 - Current
AGM-Design
Evolv Clothing Company
03.2007 - 12.2021
Designer
Anika Apparels
01.2006 - 12.2006
Jr. Designer Cum Merchandiser
Orion Conmerx
06.2004 - 09.2005
Post Graduate Diploma - Leather Garments & Accessories
National Institute of Fashion Technology
06.2002 - 05.2004
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