Jess Sayers (she/her)
FREELANCE DESIGN & CREATIVE BRAND DIRECTOR
About Me
A passionate and results-oriented Brand Director with over a decade of experience coming from a background in design with a focus on business development and growth, brand management and E-commerce, with a proven track record of shaping brand identities, implementing successful strategies, and contributing to overall business growth.
Skills within creative direction, product strategy and product development. Driven by an inquisitive mindset and a real start-up mentally, I excel in environments that demand creative problem-solving, where I can actively contribute to propel business growth. My approachability, diligence, and down to earth communication skills further enhance my ability to collaborate effectively and drive results.
Fashion
Relaunched in 2020 by supermodel Leomie Anderson, LAPP The Brand is a leader in women’s sportswear and athleisure, the fastest growing market in the fashion industry. It features an online magazine which focuses on female empowerment and intersectional feminism that has become a community with the potential to scale into an online lifestyle and wellness platform as well as take over the luxury activewear market.
“athleisure-wear made of impeccably sourced materials, and that embodies the 21st century girl who is stylish and confident”
“sportswear in a wide range of sizes, helping to make activewear more inclusive”
“Leomie Anderson uses fashion influence to launch empowering line”
DESIGN//SEAMLESS//FITNESS// WORK OUT//ATHLEISURE
For International Women's month 2021, LAPP collaborated with Flannels on a video series campaign in which Leomie pulled together guests Jourdan Dunn, Ms Banks, Munroe Bergdorf and Ciara London for a campaign celebrating open conversations amongst women touching on topics such as body image and therapy, with press coverage from Vogue, Yahoo and many more outlets, hailed as a strong and purposeful project.
The two have joined forces to kick off London Fashion Week for a spectacular night. With a surprise showcase of the collection choreographed by celebrity dancer, Kash Powell and performance from HOT HOT singer Bree Runway,
Fusing fashion, fitness and function, LAPP is for women who want to feel confident, strong and empowered, every time they step out the door which aligns well with the John Reed gym member.
In December 2018 LAPP had its first pop up in collaboration with Google who were hosting a variety of brands in their Google Pixel space on Regent St for a week. It was great for us to take the brands vision from an online perspective to a real life one and allowed people to experience the brands product firsthand and meet Leomie.
Leomie did a talk at the space discussing her journey In both modelling and starting a business.
2018 LAPP collaborated with daily paper on a limited edition set in time for festival season. It was seen on the likes of Jorja smith and more. In 2022 we aim to collaborate again with a capsule collection and event in their London store.
Fashion
Since the pandemic, the lines between activewear and daywear have eroded and the modern affluent consumer is looking for more premium wardrobe choices that are both fashionable and comfortable; that’s where LAPP comes in.
Creating infrastructure within the brand, starting up the wholesale buissness side, working on redesign of website.
£114,432.46
TOTAL SALES SINCE LAUNCH :ONLINE ONLY (04/20)
£19,014.96
LAST QUARTER ONLINE
£186,859.43
WHOLESALE SINCE RELAUNCH
£98,689.45
WHOLESALE NEXT DROP
KEY INFLUENCERS
Working with some power influencers, especially since relaunch including:
KHLOE KARDASHIAN, GABRIELLE UNION, HAILEY BIEBER, JORDAN DUNN, MONTANA BROWN, WINNIE HARLOW, JORDYN WOODS,
GIIZELE OLIVERIA, PATRICIA BRIGHT, JASMINE SANDERS, CLERMONT TWINS, BELLA HADID, MAYA JAMA, SLICK WOODS, INDIA LOVE, NICOLE SCHERZINGER, SAWEETIE, BREE RUNWAY, MS BANKS, JORJA SMITH.
Collaborations
Fashion
Seamless design has become the brands USP, what people go to LAPP for. This is a jacquard knit technique - the artwork has to be warped to allow for stretch and created onto the patterns of the garments.
DESIGN//SEAMLESS//FITNESS// WORK OUT//ATHLEISURE
DESIGN//SEAMLESS//FITNESS// WORK OUT//ATHLEISURE
I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.
JANE AUSTIN
Graphics & Print
Brand Redesign
I helped these tech giants loosen up to update their visual identity and transform their brand into something fresh and more aligned with their new business direction.. The result...
Brand Redesign
Working with the brand director on shaking up the traditional look of Numan. To DO SOMETHING better..
Brand Restructure
Update the team structure and formulate a 90 day plan to refresh team and infrastructure to align with brand strategies.
Brand Redesign
Update their visual identity and transform their brand into a playful environment their aim : Building a community of smart, humble people to develop the conscious leaders of the future.Create brand guidelines that can be used across sister companies
JESS SAYERS
She/ Her
A passionate and results-oriented Brand Director with over a decade of experience coming from a background in design with a focus on business development and growth, brand management and E-commerce, with a proven track record of shaping brand identities, implementing successful strategies, and contributing to overall business growth.
My skills within creative direction, product strategy and product development. Driven by an inquisitive mindset and a real start-up mentally, I excel in environments that demand creative problem-solving, where I can actively contribute to propel business growth. My approachability, diligence, and down to earth communication skills further enhance my ability to collaborate effectively and drive results.
Experience
LAPP THE BRAND - BRAND MANAGEMENT- COO
MAY 2020 – PRESENT
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of the relaunch brand strategy in close collaboration with the CEO/ Founder Leomie Anderson ensuring alignment with the brand’s vision and goals.
- Securing and stabilising supply base to ensure product is of the best quality and innovation, highlighting potential risks by monitoring performance and ensuring a resilient and efficient supply chain.
- Transformed business operations and strategy, resulting in the onboarding of wholesale accounts and a significant increase in turnover.
- Established the company team structure, inclusive of in-house and external agencies.
- Identified and managed strategic brand partnerships and collaborations, including successful partnerships with JR Fitness, Flannels, and Soul Cycle.
- Successfully coordinated promotional activities, managed product launches, and provided insights for sales forecasting which contributed to enhanced brand visibility and revenue growth.
- Ensure the brand is delivering balanced and commercial product ranges, utilising supplier relations to deliver at competitive prices and creating costing range plans to monitor margins.
- Produced comprehensive business plans, meticulously identifying and cultivating relationships with suitable investment partners, engaging in negotiations to secure optimal terms.
- Lead production management, logistics management and, product development, ensuring commercially successful product.
- Oversea all brand operations including, retail, wholesale, PR, marketing, and events, contributing to digital presence and social direction.
- Oversea diversification opportunities and business growth strategies.
- Currently working on a marketing strategy that will reform the eCom side of the business, to increase CRM relations, elevate brands ambassador programs and collaborating with the Women’s football league to extend brand awareness.
FREELANCE Experience
FREELANCE DESIGN & CREATIVE BRAND CONSULTANT -YEWANDE BIALA
Education
MAY 2020 – 2022
2018 -OXFORD UNIVERSITY (SUMMER SCHOOL)
Academy, Retail & Business Management
city & guilds accreditation
2018- LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION Sustainability part time course
2007-2010 LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION First Class Degree BA (Hons) Fashion Design
2006-2007 LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION
Foundation year
- Provided brand infrastructure, product development, and consultancy for a new business venture, showcasing adaptability and creative problem-solving.
OCT 2019 – MAY 2022
GRAPHIC DESIGN -REDBRAIN & POTENTIAL INVESTMENT
- Led rebranding initiatives and developed materials for internal and external usage across web and digital content, emphasising creative and strategic thinking.
- Strategy presentation for business investment pitches.
- Full strategy and design for rebrand of Potential Investment. Graphic design for materials for internal and external usage, across both web and digital content
PRINT DESIGN-RATIONALLE WORLD
- Design conceptualisation with print and textile development
- Brand guideline implementation for Launch
skills
- Creative development
- Business insights
- Cost & Project management
- Strategy
- Team Management
- Product Design & Development
- Business Planning
- Brand Development
- Concept Development
- Brand Relations
- Microsoft Office and Adobe suites
- Zedonk ERP software
FASHION DESIGN - TK CLOTHING
- Multi product womens design on soft tailoring for Asos
- Season trend analysis and design
- Attended buyers meeting with Asos presenting trends and stratergy.
FASHION DESIGN - MATRIX LTD
- Design, Spec and tech packing for new business - airline accounts, BA, Emirates, Qatar,
- Fit sessions and approvals
FASHION DESIGN- NETSPEAK GAMES
- Design consultancy across trend direction For fashion app element in app
- Brand development for fashion sector moving forward
- Sample design + development
Experience
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES MANAGER DCK GROUP, SACRED HAWK & DUSTY DAZE
JULY 2016 - OCT 2019
Currating brands for overarching buissness, developed 6+ brands
- Established and led the clothing and accessories department, demonstrating skills in innovation and strategic planning.
- Launched owned brands and collaborated on platforms like Asos & Zalando, showcasing a flair for product curation and market relevance.
- Orchestrated the entire lifecycle from conceptualisation to active trading, demonstrating prowess in design management across diverse categories, including menswear, womenswear (multi cat) , textiles, and accessories.
- Instrumental in the identification and pursuit of business opportunities, showcasing a proactive approach in pitching to potential partners. Provided leadership in shaping brand direction both internally and within collaborative host brands, driving innovation in new and existing brand partnerships and collaborations.
- Led, managed, and inspired cross-functional teams in buying and design, emphasising training initiatives and fostering career progression. Conducted comprehensive research, development, and sourcing activities for new collections, spanning menswear, womenswear, and print design.
- Established seamless communication with manufacturers
- Overseeing and working as part of the team when needed for all specification and design packs required for factories, actively participating in sample fitting and specification alterations.
- Effectively managed production timelines and critical paths, contributing to the overall strategic vision for new business ventures.
- Led and managed a team of, designers, buyers and account managers, working closely with the creative director, marketing team and founders.
SENIOR DESIGNER - RELIGION CLOTHING
SEPT 2015- JULY 2016
- Collaborated closely with the Head Designer to drive the creation of innovative new collections, aligning with overarching brand goals and vision. Conducted thorough research and development sourcing activities, ensuring a strategic approach to the inception of each new collection.
- Took charge of producing comprehensive trend and mood forecasts for upcoming seasons, contributing to the development of a forward-thinking and market-relevant product line. Oversaw the entire product development lifecycle, from conceptualisation to the production of sales samples.
- Managed the intricate process of knitwear development and surface textile development, showcasing expertise in textile selection and design. Maintained a seamless liaison with manufacturers, actively participating in fabric and trim sourcing to achieve a cohesive and high-quality end product.
- Played a pivotal role in sample inspection and quality control, ensuring adherence to design specifications and manufacturing standards.
- Served as the CAD designer for all specification and design packs required for factories, streamlining communication and contributing to the smooth execution of production processes.
internships & grad roles
April – July 2011 - Tim Soar
March – April 2011 - Hussein Chalayan (Puma) Internship
November - Jan 2011 - Richard Nicoll
September - October 2010 - United Clothing Junior Designer
Jan - March 2009 - Jojo & Malou
other experience
PRESS
For independent collection as Jess Sayers
http://www.vogue.co.uk/ 3rd June 2010
http://www.thefashionscout.com / 3rd June 2010
Pigeon & Peacocks Magazine 2010
AWARDS
Shortlisted for Graduate 100 2010
Shortlisted and selected for e-creative directory
2010
SHOWS
For independent collection as Jess Sayers
Junction Exhibition 2010
Britains Next Top Model Live 2010
LCF Graduate press show 2010
Birmingham clothes show live 2010
SENIOR DESIGN & PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER- THE RAGGED PRIEST
OCT2011 - SEPT 2015
- Working closely with the CEO and founders on creating new collections and ensuring product development was where it was needed to ensure growth. Emphasising not only the creative side but also the business and logistical aspects. With expansion in re designing the business structure to secure growth needed and meet demand.
- Collaborated closely with the Head Designer to contribute to the ideation and execution of innovative new collections, aligning each creation with brand objectives and vision.
- Oversaw all aspects of production, including dye processes, print applications, and textile development, demonstrating a keen eye for quality and design integrity. Actively engaged in the strategic sourcing of materials to meet creative and production requirements.
- Maintained a proactive and effective liaison with manufacturers, ensuring seamless communication and coordination throughout the production lifecycle. Managed the end-to-end product development process for the entire range, emphasising efficiency and high standards.
- Conducted sample inspections and quality control measures, ensuring the final manufactured pieces met stringent design and quality standards.
- Led and managed a dynamic design team of five design professionals, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Simultaneously oversaw a team of over 10+ in house production team , ensuring effective coordination and optimal productivity.
- Collaborated with the prison service to implement education and rehabilitation training programs. Established a successful print and dye workshop and went in to sewing workshops to contribute to skills development and rehabilitation initiatives
What makes me tick..
I love singing my heart out (thou I cant sing).
I love taking a dip each morning.
Coffee is my vice- black and not hot.
Anything that makes me laugh.
FREELANCE DESIGN
SEPT 2011 - APRIL 2012
- Freelance patten cutting for new brand start up
- Feelance textile design
References
Available on request.