Ottavia Lepre

In charge of WW fabric buying for RTW and HC collections: Work closely with the Design, PD and Production teams, coordinate all deliveries, ensuring all orders were delivered on time and quality standards were met. Launch, follow through and approve lab-dips, strike-offs, developments and finishings. Maintain accurate track, raise PO, manage OC and approve invoices. Monitor stocks and re-orders. Manage and direct Fabric Assistants. Responsible for checking and resolving all fabric quality issues prior to production. Build strong relationships with suppliers and negotiate terms and prices.

In charge of MW fabric bulk productions. Attend post-buy meetings to establish orders priorities. Raise PO for all bulk orders, responsible for negotiating prices, lead-times, MOQ and payment terms with suppliers. Coordinate and track all deliveries. Check and approve invoices and shipping terms. Ensure all suppliers would be paid on time. Responsible for quality assurance: approval of bulk submissions, checking colours, weight, appearance, handfeel, tech-sheets and resolve all bulk issues directly with European and Asian mills and factories. Anticipate potential issues and work out backup plans. Launch and follow through lab-dips, strike-offs and other developments. Communicate effectively with Design, Product Coordinators, Technical, Buying & Merchandising teams.

Research, source, develop, buy and coordinate fabrics and trims. With a focus on innovative techniques and textile development. Ensure that all the materials used in the sampling collection would be handed over smoothly to Production, with any pending issue resolved, in order to minimize the impact on production schedule. This included re-launching labdips for improvement, resolving quality issues such us pilling and snagging, improving finishing, negotiate prices and MOQ with suppliers. Fabrics and linings consolidation.

• SAMPLING: prototyping, toiling, fittings, • COSTING • CAD: Graphics, presentations, moodboards, consumer-boards. • RESEARCH & ANALYSIS: Market, consumer, distribution channels, trends, lifestyle. • SOURCING: Manufacturer specialised services, fabrics and materials. Attending fairs, fashion shows and trend seminars; developing suppliers relationships worldwide. • ASSISTING the designer with fabric selection, design development, fitting improvement.

Developed understanding of the fashion design and creative process within the luxury industry. Research, sampling, pattern cutting and organizing the research archive. Setting up the fitting area and filing fitting reports. Researching inspirational material; creating moodboards and fabric sheets. Developed understanding of couture techniques and fabric manipulation. Observation and understanding of the surface textile's creative process and its technical application. PARIS FASHION WEEK (AW12)

Developed understanding of the fashion collection cycle within a luxury brand; designing and sourcing. • CAD (Adobe Illustrator): Illustrating complete womenswear SS12 collection for sales-book and spec sheets, including swimwear, accessories and fabric patterns’ swatches. • SOURCING: fabrics & trims. Contacting mills for sample requests and searching for new mills worldwide both via agents and directly. Developing good relationships with suppliers, negotiate products and services. • ORGANIZING the textile samples' archive. • RESEARCH: Assisting the Crative Director in primary and secondary research. Working backstage at London Fashion Week SS12.