Natalya Koval

Design and development of handbags, small leather goods, home accessories and sneakers. Trend and consumer research focusing primarily on sustainable and ethical materials and processes. Research and sourcing of sustainable leathers and leather alternatives. Developing a collection from scratch for start ups as well as matching existing handwriting for established brands. Preparing detailed technical packs for factories overseas. My main focus is on high end and premium market with high attention to detail. Have a very colourful and playful design aesthetic and passionate about crafts from different cultures around the world. Would be interested in getting involved in design projects focusing on sensory design. Currently learning about branding and sensory marketing.

* Designing new Men handbag collection under direction of Design Director * Developing a new language and direction for Men collections * Conceptual design research by visiting exhibitions and comp shop * Research into target consumer lifestyle and user habits * Research into opportunities to develop new commercial and on brand products that can increase revenue * Participating in branding brainstorming workshops * Preparing very detailed technical packs * Managing the critical path * Looking after junior member of the team

Designing mens accessories ranges for one of the fastest growing e-commerce start up in Denmark. Creating product for a portfolio of brands in Scandinavian aesthetic. * Trend research, visiting exhibitions, trade fairs, competitive shopping and trend seminars * Sourcing new factories and getting best quality and price from existing manufacturers in Europe and Asia * Designing and developing commercial and creative product across bags, small leather goods, belts hard suit accessories, grooming and more. * Developing thorough detailed specification packs * Design & development of packaging * Design to various handwriting and price point levels * Developing collections in line with brand promise * Designing product to a target price point * Negotiating prices with suppliers per product and per overall first order. * Overseeing the product from a perspective of designer, developer and buyer responsibilities * Creating a product to be sold in 25 markets * Collaborating with freelancers.

Completed Pensole Footwear Design Academy intensive Sneaker design course. Learned about researching consumer profile, indepth research into concept, design development and rendering techniques by hand for design illustrations as well as how to make a good presentation. The structure of the course and design process was closely matched to that of a sneaker design studio. As part of the course had informative visits to largest outsole factory on Portugal as well as Footwear sampling manufacturer.

Assisting with making bespoke hats and fascinators. Blocking sinamay discs and hats, hand stitching all trims, finishing off pieces with feather arrangements, designed a bespoke disc for summer collection and several fascinators. Everything is hand blocked and hand stitched in house to the highest standard. Observing direct feedback from the store on what is currently selling and what customers are looking for and adjusting accordingly.

Learning art of leatherwork pattern cutting from Volker Koch and assisting with pattern cutting of luxury leather goods. Learning how to design and develop luxury leather goods.

* Design of men's leather goods range for Daines & Hathaway collection * Preparing materials for production handover as well as critical path management * Trend research for the brand, constant monitoring of competitors products, regular research into vintage patterns and constructions of leather goods * Striving to achieve a cost effective, beautiful and ergonomic product made in England * Attending meetings with white label clients * Sample development, preparing costings, hardware and materials research for white label and in house brands * Pattern cutting various leather goods - bags, wallets, boxwork * Working on projects for Hut Group, Jack Wills, Land Rover, Jaguar and many others Pattern cutting and prototyping for various high end and high street customers. Preparing costings, sourcing components, putting together all materials, knives and technical production packs for production handover. Working closely with production to get a good quality product from a sample to production. Working with a number of factories and adjusting technical packs and relevant information to suit different production methods. Working towards tight deadlines and managing several projects at the same time. Experience of working with various types of leathers.

British high end leather goods manufacturer & brand - Daines & Hathaway. * Development and design of prototypes of high end leathergoods * Pattern cutting and assembling, working closely with sample machinist * Preparing production costings, hardware & leather sourcing, preparing product for production handover * Trend and vintage leather goods research * Supervision of initial sampling production run * Worked on projects for Dubhill, Tustings and many others.

Supplier of handbags and soft accessories to major brands on high street. * Catwalk research, market research and trend research boards * Design development for various customers including embellished beaded bags and scarves as well as day bags * Putting together specification drawings and rendering illustrations for buyers * Competitive shopping

Helping with production of demi couture and bridal head pieces for photo shoots and events. Designed 3 ready to wear ss12 hats, 2 bridal hats and 2 bridal fascinators.

Assisted with sourcing and production of the AW11 jewelry collection as well as general studio assistance. Dealt with suppliers and manufacturers.