Alexander Aicolina
26 Streatham Court London
Summary
An international mens, womens and kidswear designer who applies a professional and confident approach to his work. He has the ability to manage a fast moving portfolio, designing for an international brand covering a strong online platform and wholesale. His current role specialises in mens trousers, shorts, jackets and formal shirts and tailoring. Other expertise include mens hard and soft accessories, footwear, tailoring and leather products. He has worked from design through to production, each season sourcing fabrics and trims from vendors internationally and going to the Far and Near East on development trips. These roles gave him valuable experience working directly with factories and suppliers, merchandisers, buyers and product developers. Alexander is looking to develop his learnt skills and explore design opportunities in all menswear categories.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Menswear Clothing Designer
River Island
03.2024 - Current
- Lead design process for smart separates: Tailoring, Shorts, Trousers, Sets and Formal Shirts
- Overseeing all stages from concept to production by using trend intelligence and understanding of the current and past business history
- Contributing to the brands success by pushing fresh ideas and building out my areas to cover multi product and smart athleisure
- Collaborated with the design managers and head of to create seasonal moodboards, colour, fabric and design direction as well as styling
- Conducted meetings with fabric and overseas vendors; sourced, developed, selected fabrics and design direction
- Monitored development of textiles, strike off approvals and handlooms
- Presented seasonal trend, technical sketches, measurements, construction details, fabric, colour and trim details
- Built strong cross-functional relationships with merchandisers, production team, buyers and garment technologists
- Collaborated with production teams to understand cost constraints, delivering cost effective design solutions
- Led fitting meetings and worked with garment technologists to ensure desired fit production; clearly communicated any changes to production team and overseas factory
- Managing an Assistant Designer and supporting on career development
Accessories Designer
River Island
04.2017 - 03.2024
- Responsible for designing mens and boys belts, bags, luggage, wallets, underwear, loungewear, socks, hats, gloves, scarves and sunglasses
- Sustainable non clothing sub brand mens and womens and a kidswear footwear and non - clothing licensing collection
- Creating trend boards for accessories to compliment the clothing trends established by the creative director each season
- Establishing key fabrications, trims and hardware for the season to source and develop with suppliers
- Working on concept to development sketches, including technical production packs to end product
- Going on inspirational shopping trips each season and attending trade shows in Europe and Far East
- Conducting trend and market research ensuring this is translated into commercial, aspirational product that is relevant for the brand and on trend
- Regular meetings with suppliers from the UK, India, China and Turkey working on product development, fabric and trim sourcing and building productive relationships
- Working closely with the buying team on building the range and ensuring they are up to date with the key trend messages for each area
- Presenting concepts and designs to directors and key senior members of the design, buying and merchandising team to ensure the ranges are on trend, key details are clarified and rejuvenating newness
- Working directly with the in house print and graphic design team, briefing them on graphics required for the ranges each season
- Reviewing best/worst sellers and carryover product each season with Lessons Learnt
- Working with his buyers on assortment planning for the season on all store, top store and web exclusive product
- To ensure his designed product compliments other areas within the menswear range to generate cross shopping
- Being adaptable and understanding the importance of speed to market to apply relevant trends
Part time client advisor and stylist
Louis Vuitton LVMH
Sloane Street
07.2016 - 04.2017
Freelance Designer
A . Fashions
01.2016 - 04.2017
- Responsible for working directly for multiple diverse clients and working accurately to design briefs
- Developing ranges for clients specific needs and surpassing expectations
- Sourcing and developing trims, prints, fabrics with manufacturers
- Liaising with suppliers in the Netherlands and China
- Overseeing from concept, development to final production
- Developed a photography backpack for a leading photographer to launch her new photography accessories brand
- Developed a hard leather accessory range for an international watch brand incorporating their brand identity to new product areas
- Developed a range of soft accessories for a leading international charity to generate income from international conferences
Junior Menswear Designer
Gagliardi - Bortex
03.2014 - 03.2016
- Responsible for City, Weekend and Evening-wear shirts ranges (the second largest category)
- Developed a new category of leather jackets, bags and accessories including packaging
- Involved in tailoring development across 3 ranges: City, Weekend and Eveningwear
- Fabric selection meetings for all ranges
- Designed a capsule evening wear range for SS15 for high summer
- Sold out in local stores
Design Intern
Topman Design
08.2012 - 09.2012
Design Intern
Matthew Miller
06.2012 - 07.2012
Design Intern
J. W. Anderson - Design studio
01.2012 - 02.2012
Intern
Paul Costelloe-Design studio
06.2007 - 07.2007
Assistant
Kingston University
09.2012
Education
BA (Hons) Fashion Design -
Kingston University
01.2013
Art and Design Foundation -
Kingston University
01.2010
Skills
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Microsoft Office
- Fashion styling
- Fabric sourcing
- Trend analysis
- Fit evaluation
Accomplishments
- His categories being more design lead which has driven improved sales and bestsellers.
- Working well within a large multi disciplinary team and also independently.
- Broad multi-product design experience across Mens, Womens and Kids.
- Work featured in UK fashion magazines (Short List, GQ)
- Appointed as Junior Designer within eight months of graduation.
- Awarded prize by Sawyer & Biddle in part for design of two showcase windows of my graduation collection.
Websites
Timeline
Menswear Clothing Designer
River Island
03.2024 - Current
Accessories Designer
River Island
04.2017 - 03.2024
Part time client advisor and stylist
Louis Vuitton LVMH
07.2016 - 04.2017
Freelance Designer
A . Fashions
01.2016 - 04.2017
Junior Menswear Designer
Gagliardi - Bortex
03.2014 - 03.2016
Assistant
Kingston University
09.2012
Design Intern
Topman Design
08.2012 - 09.2012
Design Intern
Matthew Miller
06.2012 - 07.2012
Design Intern
J. W. Anderson - Design studio
01.2012 - 02.2012
Intern
Paul Costelloe-Design studio
06.2007 - 07.2007
BA (Hons) Fashion Design -
Kingston University
Art and Design Foundation -
Kingston University