Valerie Thibault
Boulder County, Colorado
val@valeriethibault.com - (860) 857-3721 - http://valeriethibault.com
Selected Skills
Creative, adaptive and efficient women’s sportswear design director with nearly 20 years of industry experience in Design, Development and Management. Extensive experience in the entire product development process from bridge level to private label and mass market across both woven sportswear and knitwear categories including Sweaters, Tailored Suiting, Outerwear, Leather, Denim, Maternity and Special Sizes. Keeps focus on the bottom line and sales intelligence while remaining creative and staying on top of trends in order to deliver product that resonates with the customer and their budget. Proven history of developing clear brand identities to achieve a broader customer reach and boost sales. Manages effectively to create a loyal and successful team by inspiring creativity and fostering direct reports’ independence and sense of self ownership. Remains composed and focused under pressure.
Education/ Continuing Education
Savannah College of Art and Design: B.F.A., cum laude, Fashion Design, August 2004
Philadelphia University, College of Textiles: Fashion Design Major 2001-2002
Fashion Institute of Technology: Beginner and Advanced Machine Knitting Courses, 2008 and 2011
Rhode Island School of Design, Textiles Department: Machine Knitting Course, June- July 2009
Work Experience
KRIMSON KLOVER, Senior Product Developer, Sept 2024- Present
Researched and developed Outerwear, Baselayer and Cut & Sew Knits for a Women’s Ski and Luxury sweater brand
DILLARD’S / ADPL, LLC. (Formerly Tahari ASL) Head Designer, 2019- Aug 2024
Head Designer/ Director of multiple lines mainly Alex Marie managing 2 direct reports and directing knitwear team
Special Projects Director leading Liberty of London and Loro Piana programs for Antonio Melani
Generated 80% brand growth in 2023 and added brand collaboration securing additional dollars and SKU’s for the brand
ELIE TAHARI, Tahari ASL, Head Designer, 2017- 2019
Sportswear Head Designer of Tahari ASL for Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s private label brands
Revitalized a failing line by creating a new identity and look for Dillard’s Alex Marie brand
Secured confidence in buyer to invest 45% more in SKU’s and 50% more in units monthly 2019
ANA / JCP, Senior Knitwear Designer, 2014- 2017
Promoted to Senior Knitwear Designer 2014 managing 2 direct reports
Annual L.A. shopping trips and Hong Kong trips for development, quarterly trips to Dallas HQ
LIZ CLAIBORNE / JCP, Sweater Designer, 2012- 2014
Travelled bi-annualy to Hong Kong for development and fittings, visited mills in mainland China
CALVIN KLEIN JEANS / WARNACO, INC. Knitwear Designer, 2009- 2012
Designed Sweaters and Knits in 2009 and 2012, Designed Wovens and Outerwear from 2010-2011
Managed one Assistant as well as Freelancers and Design Interns
ADRIENNE VITTADINI, Freelance Sweater Designer, 2009
MAGASCHONI APPAREL GROUP, Associate Knitwear Designer, 2008- 2009
Designed Sweaters and Knits under Creative Director, Managed Freelancers and Design Interns
Traveled to Hong Kong offices to develop and fit knitwear line and meet with mills
HAMPSHIRE GROUP, Associate Designer, Sweaters and Knits, 2007- 2008
REPUBLIC CLOTHING CORPORATION, Associate Sweater Designer, 2005- 2007
Promoted from Assistant Designer to Associate Designer 2006
Computer Experience, Mac & PC Literate, Daily use of MS Word, Excel and Outlook
Highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, PowerPoint and Web PDM/ PLM