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Eleonora Rossi

Product Development and Raw Material Senior Manager, Luxury Leather Goods
About

As a Senior Manager, Raw Material Development (Leather Goods & Accessories) and formerly Product Development Manager, my 15 years' of passionate experience in the Luxury industry spans across all the aspects of research, sampling and development of raw materials for Leather Goods, with an extensive knowledge of the worlds of leathers, fabrics, trims and all sorts of embellishments and animations. My deep understanding of the product is underpinned by a strong background (10 years +) in developing Large Leather Goods, Small Leather Goods, Soft Accessories and Jewellery for Burberry and other brands, taking care of all aspects of collections from initial concept to handover for production. In Burberry I have successfully navigated and led my teams through four changes of leadership and three Creative Directors, building a successful Raw Material team from scratch, witnessing and actively driving the change that brought Burberry's accessories to fame during the Marco Gobbetti years of brand relaunching. I have been involved first hand in several raw material pioneering projects within the Company's well renowned sustainability programmes, establishing a proven track of knowledge in the field.

Previous Brands
Burberry
Evita Srl – Rossano Veneto (Italy)
Lara Bohinc International Ltd.
Mulberry
Noumea Srl, Timberland Showroom -Treviso (Italy)
Work Experience
Head of Accessories Development and Pre-Production
Aug ‘23 - Now
Mulberry

In charge of the Product Development and Pre Production team, covering all aspects of the Leather goods collections, Softs, Homeware, Special Projects and Collaborations. Working alongside the Design team to direct research and development, partnering with Suppliers in Italy, Spain, UK, Turkey and Asia on the sourcing of RM and prototyping up until the sampling and samples sign off. Sitting closely to the Product Merchandising team to deliver excellence on time and respond to market needs. In this role also part of the Made to Last committee, who are in charge to protect and implement the Company’s ambitious sustainability manifesto. Currently enrolled in a mentoring scheme with the well known organisation Mentoring Matters.

Senior Raw Materials Manager, Accessories Development
Jul ‘16 - Aug ‘23
Burberry

Product Development Accessories ∙DESIGN OUTREACH Working closely with the Senior Vice President of Accessories Design and in charge of absorbing and interpreting the Design vision from initial conception to finished product for all aspects of raw material and fabrications - previously under the creative direction of Christopher Bailey, then continuing with Riccardo Tisci's team, until the most recent change at the helm with Daniel Lee. In charge of delivering raw material newness each season after Design brief, to support creation and maintenance of seasonal colour palettes and regularly attending meetings with the Creative Director to present new research and discuss design direction. ∙PEOPLE MANAGEMENT Currently managing a team of six direct reports, covering all product categories and divisions within Accessories (Men's, Women's, Kids, Soft and Hard Accessories). Previously in charge of up to 9 people, putting particular care and effort in nurturing and mentoring each and every one. ∙PRODUCT SUSTAINABILITY As a part of the Innovation Forum within the Company, working directly with suppliers and start-ups to develop materials that carry positive attributes within their own supply chain and the communities around it, exploring and developing successfully biobased materials, recycled fibres and compounds, organic cotton, metal free tanned leather, and in respect of all major certifications currently in place for the industry. ∙CROSS-FUNCTIONAL

Product Development Manager, Leather Goods and Small Leather Goods
Dec ‘09 - Jul ‘16
Burberry

reporting into the VP of Product Development Accessories In Burberry, previously working as Product Development Manager of Ladies' Large Leather Goods, Small Leather Goods, Belts, Charms, Jewellery, working on the field with the most important manufacturers in the Florence area and Far East, with extensive experience on Accessories manufacturing, construction, hardware development and techniques.

Product Development and Production Coordinator
Jul ‘08 - Dec ‘09
Lara Bohinc International Ltd.

One of the most interesting among the new British Designers of the past 20 years, I worked alongside Lara to develop all collections from initial concept to finished product across handbags, small leather goods, jewellery and shoes; I coordinated delivery for all prototypes and samples, calculating costs and margins alongside the production development and quality control. ∙Responsible for sourcing and ordering raw materials from manufacturers in Italy and Spain. Negotiate prices, quantities and leadtimes.

Production & Product Development
Nov ‘07 - Jul ‘08
Evita Srl – Rossano Veneto (Italy)

John Galliano, Guess, Bluemarine)

Sales Manager Assistant and Wholesale Coordinator
Jan ‘01 - Jul ‘06
Noumea Srl, Timberland Showroom -Treviso (Italy)

Languages
English - Fluent
Italian - Native
French - Work Proficiency
Location Preference
Open to relocation
Work Pattern
Full-time
Part-time
Employment Preference
Freelance Assignments
Permanent Positions
London, UK