Ioannis Sarigiannis
I have been in the UK since 2000. Have studied in Greece gaining an HND in Fashion Design and in the UK, recently graduating from UAL, London College of Fashion with a 2:1 BA(Hons) in Bespoke Tailoring. Whilst in Greece I specialised in Womenswear and Bridal, working as Production Manager/Bridal Designer for a major company that holds the best part of the wedding dress market and as a Freelance Designer creating individual commissions. I have also an extensive experience in UK's retail industry, gaining valuable insight across a variety of markets and customer base across London, as well as, building up transferable skills in customer experience, team working, product placement and seasonal trainings. I recently re-focused my specialism in Menswear, designing and creating bespoke garments that meet customers brief and reflect my design aesthetic. My design is contemporary premium with a playful, quirky character and impeccable hand finishing Modern, smart, all day tailored pieces in silhouettes that often have unexpected and highly technical details and shapes, fluid lines mixing/intersecting bespoke tailoring and production techniques that are not only pleasing to view but also deliver upon customer expectations and marketability. I have been handpicked and shortlisted for two design projects, firstly by Huntsman & Sons and secondly by SCABAL, both of Savile Row and have been awarded Design Innovation in Bespoke Tailoring by the latter.
Senior sales, Made to Measure specialist. Attending booked appointments with clients to assist them with their purchase. This starts by choosing the correct fabric and lining, moving to design the type of garments , to then measured and fitted with pre existing fitting blocks that get adjusted to fit their shape. part of checking is observing their posture against the fitting garment. The customer then gets photographed front, two sides and back. This process is part of the operating system and all the information builds a very detailed profile so that the production manager and pattern cutter has clear view. This is a very time restricted service with all described happening within one hour This is the length of the appointment and the daily schedule is based on these appointments.
Started as Sale Assistant and quickly promoted to Assistant Store Manager within my first six months. I have been contributing to a quarter of the store’s annual turnover, building a strong business and training staff utilising my tailoring background.
Draping Women’s Wear collection for the catwalk show, RTW and VIP customers. Creating the relevant initial and update, revised patters after draping on the mannequin and working alongside a seamstress in order to create designs from the Design Team. Translate dreams into real garments to be seen at catwalks and celebtities.
• Trained under Savile Row tailors in bespoke coat making and waistcoats, from drafting and cutting to hand finishing. • Supported fittings and client consultations, ensuring perfect fit and customer satisfaction. • Developed in-depth understanding of fabric behaviour, construction techniques and tailoring processes. Key Skills : Bespoke tailoring, Pattern Cutting, Hand Sewing, Fabric Knowledge, Customer Service
Contributing to the delivery of Lectures and technical resources, collaborating with technical team members and working to key priorities as identified with Technical Coordinator. Assisting with the preparation of learning materials, equipment and consumables for students and staff use at the start of each day and for the return and security of materials and equipment at the end of each day. Providing assistance and advice to students within own levels of expertise, escalating queries and problems and higher level requests to team members where relevant. Providing support to students in self-directed and open access sessions where a more senior member of technical staff is available to deal with more demanding issues. Developing expertise with the use of standard equipment and practices, updating skills and knowledge with new equipment and practices, by learning from team members or attending training courses internally or externally.
Bespoke Tailor specialised in trouser making. Working for many Savile Row tailoring brands such as Timothy Everest, Alexander McQueen Bespoke, Kathryn Sargent, Huntsman & Sons and Ede & Ravenscroft. Open received bundles from cutters and check all trimmings are accurate. Go through order paperwork to establish what needs to be done and fitting date so it is planned. Thread marking. Cut all trimmings and pocketings. Complete first fit trousers. Unpick returned first fits and proceed to finishing with all proposed alterations. Communicate workload and deadlines with finisher. Perform all tasks with opening and closing the studio.
Perform customer fittings and communicate proposed alterations with tailoring studio. High level service in client journey. Actively expand and maintain existing customer base with appropriate communication. Perform opening and closing tasks. Maintain visual merchandising standards, including window, sales and promotional displays. Foster a positive work environment by consistently treating all employees and customers with respect and consideration.
Menswear floor based in Mens Accessories Hall. Premium multi brand. Young and trendy, tourist and local customer base. Fast paced and multi task work environment. Opening and closing procedures. Cashing up. Daily accept and store away deliveries. Display new drops on the shop floor. Maintaining VM standards. Implementing new promotional displays.
Part of the opening team for the launch of the new Flagship store and Bally brand's relaunch. Twice promoted, to VIP/senior Sales Associate and then to VM. Implementing visual guidelines and assisting to all window and interior seasonal and promotional changes. Organise and present team training in regards with new season collections across all product groups. Perform customer fittings and communicate alterations with the tailoring studio for all RTW. Fully support Global Training Manager creating and implementing operational standards and guidelines.
Organise and maintain stockroom to high standards. Accept accurately and store away deliveries and transfers daily. Implement and maintain H&S guidelines/procedures. Communicate with management about new stock arrivals and customer requests. Assist and perform four stock takes annually. Assist both VM and Window teams for seasonal changes , product placement and visual displays. Working for such an iconic British brand has been an invaluable experience in branding, brand awareness, product training and personalised customer experience.
Overseeing seven seamstresses and assist cutter. Creating toile and sample patterns for seasonal collections. Draping, boning and lace applique techniques. Implementing design ideas for seasonal and wholesale collections/buying. Attend fitting sessions throughout the development and pre production stages for both seasonal and wholesale collections. Adapt patterns to individual customer measurements. Problem solving in pattern making, cutting and garment construction. Outsourcing and quality control on all external contractors such as embroidery, beading, pleating and lace making. Fabric and material sourcing. Organise and daily update Production Book. Clearly communicated design revisions to all members of the studio team. Daily meetings to organise workload and production.
Oversee and maintain three stockrooms and Warehouse across London. Maintain accuracy of stock holdings in relation to Operating System. Implement and oversee stockroom procedures across all sites. Implement and maintain H&S guidelines. Implement and oversee filing systems across all sites. Provide training for all stockroom staff and new starters across all sites Liaise with management and various teams for stock orders/requests to maximise sales, profitability and VIP orders. Support various teams with seasonal store changes.
Oversee and maintain three stockrooms and Warehouse across London. Maintain accuracy of stock holdings in relation to Operating System. Implement and oversee stockroom procedures across all sites. Implement and maintain H&S guidelines. Implement and oversee filing systems across all sites. Provide training for all stockroom staff and new starters across all sites Liaise with management and various teams for stock orders/requests to maximise sales, profitability and VIP orders. Support various teams with seasonal store changes.
Organise and maintain RTW and Homeware stockrooms. Implement and maintain H&S company's guidelines. Accept and process deliveries and inter branch transfers. Build up and maintain strong communication and relationship with other stores and managers of various departments. Support Buying, Merchandising, Window and Visual Merchandising teams. Organising and filling related paperwork. Organise and perform two stock takes annually. Increase stock capacity when needed.
Ioannis worked with me as an Assistant Store Director, and throughout our time working together, he consistently exceeded expectations. He is an exceptionally talented retail professional with a rare combination of strong commercial awareness, outstanding customer service skills, and meticulous attention to detail. What particularly distinguished Ioannis was his ability to build meaningful relationships with clients while driving excellent sales results. He has a natural talent for understanding customer needs, delivering a highly personalized experience, and creating long-term loyalty. His dedication to service excellence and his commitment to maintaining the highest standards made him one of the strongest assistants I have had the pleasure of managing. In addition to his sales capabilities, Ioannis demonstrated strong leadership qualities, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to remain calm and effective in demanding environments. In many respects, I considered him overqualified for the role, as he consistently operated at a level beyond what was expected and frequently took initiative to support both the team and the business. I have no hesitation in recommending Ioannis. I am confident that he will be a valuable asset to any organization and will make a significant contribution wherever he goes..