

Emily Less
Associate Designer
Specializing in...
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Trend Forecasting
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Creative Direction
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Graphic & CAD Design
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Product Development
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Material & Color Research
Based in...
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Currently: Denver, CO
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Formerly: New York Metropolitan Area
A Bit About Me
Sister, friend, Jersey girl - and creative. My journey with design and aesthetics began long before my profession. Following a transformative art journey in high school, I studied fashion merchandising at Marist College with minors in Graphic Design & Global Studies. From the earliest days, I’ve loved being hands on, exploring new mediums, and bringing ideas to life. Creativity has always been my biggest strength - an intrinsic part of how I see and engage with the world. From finding inspiration in my mom's closet as a girl to discovering my own path in the design space, I’ve long admired the value of perspective and have always enjoyed learning about different cultures. I grew up on the East Coast, studied abroad in Florence, started my career in NYC, and am now living a different life in Denver – each chapter shaping how I create and connect.
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My professional path began at Madison 88 in the fast-paced environment of New York City, where I sharpened my eye for technical detail and built a strong foundation in outdoor knit accessories. The experience deepened my knit manufacturing proficiency and exposed me to the intersection of fashion and function. Now based in Colorado, following my relocation to Madison 88’s R&D Hub, I find daily inspiration in the contrast between an urban lifestyle and the natural beauty of the Rockies. This shift has broadened my perspective on consumers and continues to influence how I approach design, especially in the activewear space.
This portfolio is a celebration of my journey - a showcase of my experiences, passion projects, and dedication to the craft that has been with me every step of the way.
Work Experience
January 2025 - Present
Associate Designer
Madison 88
July 2023 - January 2025
Assistant Technical Designer
Madison 88
October 2022 - May 2023
Product Development/ Technical Design Intern
Madison 88
November 2022 - June 2023
Student Director of Events & Community Outreach
MPorium at Marist
June 2022 - August 2022
Stores Executive Intern
Target
March 2022
Milan Fashion Week Assistant
Francesca Liberatore
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Lead trend forecasting and color strategy for 50+ brands; develop palettes and mood boards applied across CADs.
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Partner with VP of Product & Business Development to drive creative strategy, oversee line planning, seasonal material sourcing, and color application across lifestyle and performance categories.
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Build trend-forward decks featuring original layouts and knit accessory designs, tailored to brand partners’ seasonal and in-line narratives.
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Stay informed on emerging trends through webinars, industry newsletters, social media, and forecasting resources (e.g., Future Snoops & WGSN)
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Conduct comp shopping and attend trade shows (e.g., Spinexpo); present trend reports to CEO, design team & brand customers.
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Communicate with overseas factories and material specialists to confirm yarn qualities, trims, and technical details, ensuring timely development and alignment with seasonal trend direction.
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Created tech packs, fit logs, and construction callouts for 50+ global brands, ensuring accuracy through direct communication with factories.
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Coordinated and maintained samples, style trackers, packages, and Vision PLM system to ensure seamless documentation for brand customers.
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Led seasonal trend forecasting, trend deck development, market research and branding initiatives.
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Assisted PD & TD teams on private label Cold Weather Accessories; developed CADs, trims, and color palettes using Adobe Creative Suite.
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Conducted research and compiled analysis for internal trend presentations; managed style library in Vision PLM.
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Oversaw Events & Community Outreach team efforts including the planning of all events, logistics & non-profit initiatives.
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Managed student-run boutique by assisting with product buys, marketing initiatives and product designs.
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Engaged cross functionally with directors of Buying, Visual Merchandising, ECommerce, Store Operations, Marketing, and Finance.
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Shadowed Executive Team Leaders in store operations across General Merchandise, Style, HR, and Specialty Sales.
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Analyzed sales metrics and tracked store performance; presented findings to district leadership to support business decisions.
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Gained hands-on experience in visual merchandising, inventory flow, and customer engagement strategies within a high-volume retail environment.
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Worked closely with designer, Francesca Liberatore, days before MFW runway show to organize collection & line plan.
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Assisted with model casting and outfitting.
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Selected for day of show assistance, maintaining backstage organization between garments, models and guests.

