Kathleen Bily

Kathleen Bily is a former New York City based fashion designer with expertise in accessories design, most specifically in jewelry and hardware. She currently resides now in Texas. She has been fully engrossed in the fashion industry for over a decade, working for prestigious brands and designers such as Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, and Tory Burch to name a few. Her education in fashion design and passion to exceed brought Kathleen to work and eventually move to New York City full time in 2010. Since then, Kathleen has thrived and persevered in the competitive design world and grown in creativity and prestige, as well as acquired experience in numerous categories of design such as apparel, footwear, costume jewelry, fine jewelry, hardware, leather goods, and phone tech accessories.

Fashion Work Experience

Kate Spade | New York, NY
Senior Hardware Designer | Kate Spade New York
▪ Head of hardware design and development for Outlet Handbags and Accessories, Mainline Shoes, Runway Shoes, and Outerwear.

Tory Burch | New York, NY Hardware Designer | Tory Burch

▪  Head of design and development for hardware for all accessories; including but not limited to handbags, SLG’s, shoes, belts, and tech accessories,

▪  Design and present extensive material research, sketches, technical sketches, prototypes, and final market samples to Tory Burch and design teams for Main Line

and Runway collections.

▪  Facilitate and manage all product development with local and overseas vendors to ensure high quality designs and standards are executed.

▪  Work closely in cross-category with other design teams, merchandising, sales, and production teams for design, cost, and brand alignment.

Maurice Max, Inc DBA Lee Angel | Private Label Design | New York, NY August 2016- May 2017 Senior Designer | Roxanne Assoulin, Banana Republic, Anne Taylor, Nordstrom brands

▪  Act as main account holder for brands listed to design and execute 6 cohesive collections for each market season.

▪  Work closely with all head Directors and Designers of brands to bring to life on-brand and trending concepts by presenting extensive material research,

sketching, technical sketching and specs.

▪  Adoption rate is 80-90% of development due to extensive experience in luxury good design and product development.

Lulu Frost | New York, NY
Design Manager | Lulu Frost Main Line and Collaborations

▪  Design 4 cohesive collections for each market season for Lulu Frost Main Line.

▪  Design and execute all Lulu Frost collaborations and exclusives with Neiman Marcus, J.Crew, Whistles.

▪  Manage entire design department and design team members at Associate and Assistant levels.

▪  Perform all aspects of design process from initial concept, to material research, sketching, technical sketching and specs, vendor relationships and

communication, prototype corrections, market presentations with accounts, and collaboration with merchandising, PD, sales and production teams.

▪  Design and develop custom fine jewelry for clients locally in NYC in Diamond District.

The Jones Group | Private Label Design | New York, NY Jewelry Designer | Givenchy

▪  Design 4 cohesive collections for each market season.

▪  Communicate with Givenchy-Paris Design Team consistently each season to execute elevated product.

▪  Travel to Paris to review prototypes and new market sketches multiple times per year.

September 2013- July 2014

▪ Perform all aspects of design process from initial concept, to material research, sketching, technical sketching and specs, vendor relationships and communication, prototype corrections, market presentations with accounts, and collaboration with merchandising, PD, sales and production teams.

Marc Jacobs | New York, NY March 2012- June 2013 Associate Jewelry Designer | Marc by Marc Jacobs

▪  One of two designers on Jewelry Design Team.

▪  Assist head Jewelry Designer to produce collections each season through concept research, sketching, technical sketching, sketch rendering, prototype

corrections and in-office jewelry construction. Responsible for designs of specific fashion groups independently.

▪  Collaborate with creative directors and design teams to create exclusive Show pieces for Resort Lookbook, Spring and Fall Runway Collections.

▪  Coordinate with product development and merchandising teams regularly for strong knowledge of factory capabilities and market demand.

Marc Jacobs | New York, NY January 2010- March 2012 Assistant Shoe Designer | Marc Jacobs Collection and Marc by Marc Jacobs

▪  Assist Shoe Team with design, meetings with Marc Jacobs, prototypes, sketching, CAD, research, organization, shoe archiving, and managing accounts.

▪  Travel to Italy during each design season and prior to NYFW. Develop and edit prototypes, oversee production, and hand-carry show shoes into the U.S.

▪  Design Marc by Marc Jacobs Commercial Shoes each season, including pump, boot, sandal, ballerina flat, sneaker and rain boot constructions.

▪  Assist Marc Jacobs and designers during Fashion Week preparation and fittings. Work backstage in New York Fashion Week shows.

▪  Meet with marketing, licensing, merchandising and design departments of both lines for developing season trends and shoe groups.

▪  Create inspiration and shoe group boards each season. Source materials and research contemporary and vintage shoes for inspiration.

▪  Act as Office Manager; Manage and supervise all interns by delegating tasks and assigning projects.

Communications and Fashion Design Education

University of Texas | Austin, TX
Bachelor of Journalism in Journalism-Magazine Print Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design

Fashion Institute of Technology | New York, NY
School of Continuing and Professional Studies – Jewelry Design
• Courses in Wax Carving; Gemology; Soldering Techniques; Business Studies; etc.

(dual major) 2004-2009 graduated May 2008 graduated December 2009

2013-2015