Margherita Protti

Heading up the UK and European side of Mrs Lovegood Atelier. Founded in 2013 by interior designer Juliana Hurtado, Mrs Lovegood is an atelier in Bogotá dedicated to crafting high-quality soft furnishings and textiles. Each piece is handmade by Juliana’s extraordinary team of master craftspeople using natural fibres and a range of artisan techniques combined with contemporary design.

Planning, writing and presenting sessions on Product Development for accessories. These covered topics including: collection range planning • leather • hardware • techniques and embellishment for the first, second and third-year students. I also took part in mentoring and assessment sessions for third-year students on their final projects.

Highly experienced Product Development Consultant specialising in luxury leather goods and shoes. In-depth knowledge of fashion and luxury gained in senior managerial roles at three highly regarded and successful British brands: Anya Hindmarch, Alfred Dunhill and Vivienne Westwood. Proven success at skilfully managing product development at all stages of the process from creative into production resulting in refined, well-crafted product. Experienced at both hands-on practical development as well as directing teams and managing process. Specialities include: • Sourcing • Leather and exotic skins • Hardware and components development • Supplier relationships • Quality control • Defining process for best practice • Team management

Head of the Product Development team with direct responsibility for four product developers, a raw materials manager and a quality consultant working across the UK and Italy. Sitting at the critical juncture between the Creative and Production teams, this high-level role involves directing the development process to ensure all finished products meet the highest standards. Additionally, the role entails responsibility for maintaining and nurturing supplier relationships in an often demanding and high-pressure environment to ensure that all suppliers and development processes are working effectively and that exacting standards are adhered to at all times. Categories: Large and small leather goods including evening clutches both for main collection and bespoke. Soft accessories Key responsibilities: • Working closely with the Creative team to develop product concepts and designs into prototype samples • Supporting the Creative team throughout the process when liaising with suppliers • Refining and enhancing the product at each stage of the development process whilst meeting budgetary requirements • Reviewing and overseeing all aspects of development of the merchandise ranges • Evaluating and implementing the sourcing strategy against commercial and ethical criteria • Devising contingency plans and countersampling developments as required • Reviewing and overseeing the bespoke programme to align it with new commercial opportunities • Ensuring that all products meet the required margin structure, and are developed with suppliers who can produce the merchandise within the defined price constraints and timetable • Researching on ways of industrialising the product during the transition from the developmental stage to the production process • Working closely with Quality Assurance and Technical Teams to establish and manage an agreed critical path, by product category, that achieves the required deliveries of prototypes, and ensure full and satisfactory production.

Complete management of the leather goods development process from first concept to the point of product sign-off against an agreed design and development brief. Creating and managing the critical path for the entire leather goods department including production, merchandising and quality management. Delivering creative and commercial collections to enhance the brand DNA, whilst actively managing all costs associated with product development in line with set budgets. In addition to managing the product development process, I am also line manager for all four members of the Product Development Team, comprising two developers and two modelists. Responsible for their training, development and all associated budgets.

Working as a part of a multi disciplinary team that is responsible for every element of the lifecycle of the product category. More specifically I’m responsible for Product development across the large leather goods, small leather goods, belts and shoes categories.

Responsible for planning the structure of Vivienne Westwood’s Accessories and Shoes collections. This involved managing product development in conjunction with Designers, Commercial Dept., Marketing, PR Office and Manufacturers.

Responsible for overseeing all Licensed accessories including leather, soft accessories and homeware, Projects included the made to order shoes, scarves and tie range and the VW Wedgwood ceramic and pottery line.