Gene Santillo

SENIOR LEVEL DESIGN DIRECTOR WITH EXPERTISE IN WOMENS SWEATERS AND KNITS

Resume

GENE SANTILLO

gsantillo@nyc.rr.com,

SENIOR LEVEL DESIGN DIRECTOR WITH EXPERTISE IN SWEATERS AND KNITWEAR

CORE COMPETENCIES:

· Highly creative, organized and detail-oriented working from concept through production

· Strong leadership and management skills, training, and mentoring associates

· Effective in identifying and interpreting trends for diversified markets

· Solid technical knowledge in Sweaters and Knits, managing Design and Technical Design teams

· Expertise in color and print, fabric and yarn development

· Able to successfully design into a price point and retain markup goals

· Excellent at flat sketching and hand illustration as well as proficiency in Photoshop and Illustrator

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Gene Santillo Designs/Design Consultant

2010-Present

· Designing Sweaters, knit tops and sportswear for customers including HanHe Group, Major Label Group, Chicos, Berek, Alfred Dunner/Ruby Road, and Li & Fung/Ralsey Group

Design Director

THARANCO GROUP, 2018- 2021

· Designed knit and woven tops, sweaters, and casual knit separates for RXB line as well as private label product for Macys, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Lord and Taylor, JC Penney, QVC, Sam’s Club, BJ’s, and specialty stores

Part-Time Adjunct Professor

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, 2014 - 2018

· Taught classes in Sweater Principals for Fashion Design and Technical Design

Senior Designer

TIGER J.LLC, 2015 – 2016, 1 year

· Designed Sportswear, Knitwear and Outerwear HSN, QVC and Evine. Labels including Vanessa Williams, Hal Rubenstein, Paula Dean, Pamela McCoy, and Wendy Williams

Design Director

HUDSON BAY APPAREL, 2008 – 2009, 2 years

· Designed sweaters, knits, blouses, loungewear for customers including Steinmart, TJ Maxx, Marshals, Dress Barn, Macys, and specialty stores

Design Director

JONES APPAREL GROUP, 2004 – 2007, 4 years

· Responsible for Norton McNaughton label. Successfully launched Rena Rowan line for Sears

Designer

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, 2002 - 2003

Designed Sweaters for SFA line including novelty cashmere sweaters

Senior Designer

LESLIE FAY/ L.F. BRANDS, 2002 - 2003

· Worked on Leslie Fay and Joan Leslie sweaters and knitwear

Design Director

REQUIREMENTS, 2001 - 2002

· Designed updated sportswear line including print dressing, knit dressing and novelty wool jackets

Design Director

LIZ CLAIBORNE, 1997 – 2001

Developed lines for Villager, Crazy Horse, and First Issue. Launched Axcess line for Kohls

ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Senior Designer; Sweaters

PHILLIPS VAN HEUSEN

Designer; Knitwear

LIZ CLAIBORNE

Designer; Sweaters

I.K.L. INT’L.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Fine Arts: FASHION DESIGN

FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Student Exchange Program: KNITWEAR DESIGN

TRENT POLYTECHNIC, Nottingham, England