Sammi Guss

I was brought out personally by the head designer of Brandix Lingerie to Sri Lanka to analyze the cultural zeitgeist and develop a companywide product strategy as well as concept and design developments. My main clients were PVH (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hillfiger) and Victoria secret. My roles were situated within marketing, product stratergy, education and design.

I was promoted to head designer for women’s wear, Australian label, Jamie My Love after the success of my first freelanced collection; ‘Splice So Nice’. This collection alone enabled the label to achieve its 5-year goal in its first year of being picked up by major retailers; ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, (US), Topshop, ASOS (UK), Princess Polly and the ICONIC (AU). I autonomously designed the next 3 seasonal collections. My roles as Head Designer ranged from Design, Production, Artistic Direction to management. These included but were not limited to: - Developing unique collection concepts - Designing and refining approximately 100 pieces per range - Trend and market place research and analysis - Sourcing, negotiating prices and developing all textiles and trims for collections in Guangzhou quarterly - Liaising daily with production companies in both Vietnam and China - Technical Packs - Overseeing and approving patternmaking, sampling and fittings - Developing key brand identity and values - Directing and Styling commercial photoshoots and films - Overseeing all branding, graphic design and social media - Contracting technical consultants - Conducting interviews and hiring company staff

Finalists from around the world were selected to compete in the International Emerging Design Competition in Wuhan, China as part of Wuhan Fashion Week. A total of 8 designers from outside of China were selected to participate, with myself the only finalist from Australia.

My graduate collection 'Cultures of Kindness' was selected to debut on the RMIT Emerging Designer Runway at MFW 2017.

I was employed on a casual basis to work both in the stockroom at B.Box, and as their sales representative at monthly Pregnancy and Newborn Expos around Australia.

I was employed by the Arts and Visual Design Department to teach students in years 10-12 about how to use Adobe Creative Suite in their studies. They were set weekly assignments that were reviewed and assessed. This was a most enjoyable contract as I was able to see students’ progress from little or no knowledge to feeling confident using these applications.

Initially employed as a casual retail assistant, during high school, I was promoted to Assistant Store Manager of the BONDS outlet- full time, in 2013 until February 2014 when I commenced my degree at RMIT. As Assistant Store Manager, I was responsible for: • Opening and closing of store • Merchandising of store walls, racks, display mannequins and windows • Inventory reordering and involved with the decision-making processes of stock retention. • Set sales targets/budgets. • Till training to new employees • OHS compliance and training of staff with correct OHS procedures • Payroll, payment of staff weekly and providing of timesheets • Other accounting processes such as daily cashbook, banking. • Liaising with Head Office specifically marketing and Sales Director, Orders and Finance Manager and Area Manager.