Monika Horvat
A Quick Overview: Social Responsiblity: A Custom Fit for Grace House, 3 Fashion Show Production, Styling, and Social Media, 5 Photo Styling: Home Decor and Apparel, 7 Costume Design, 9 Stages of Product Development for a Niche Market, 11 Couture Techniques: Study Abroad at Paris American Academy, 15 Computer Aided Design, 17 Custom Design and Fit, 19 Luxury Apparel and Business Plan, 21 Resume and A little about Monika, 25
Social Responsibility: A Custom Fit for Grace House Tailoring Collaboration: I had the opportunity to use my knowledge and creativity to give back by constructing custom professional outfits for the women at Grace House. Grace House residential program provides interim housing, emotional and spiritual support, and professional counseling to women who are exiting the Illinois prison system. I tailored a custom garment for one of these women and provided styling advice for professional interviews. I learned so much about what it means to live life to the fullest from these women, and I am so proud to have been able to help my client achieve her goals.
Custom Consultation: The atmosphere at Grace House was welcoming and the women were excited to start with measurements and sketching. After a quick consultation, I could tell my client was drawn to classic and tailored looks. She described her personality and style as soft spoken, confident, and determined. I made a goal to design something that would personify this personality.
<<< Sketches of the tailored suit and top for my client. The jacket has a waist seam to create a nice fit and stops at the hip to create the image of a small waist. The gold knit top is fitted and has a black velvet stripe at center front, in order to add some glitz to the basic knit top.
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Rewarding results: All the hard work was recognized and appreciated by the happiness and confidence expressed by the women as they had their pictures taken. I could see how special my client felt with the heartwarming look on her face when she tried on the garment. I learned how important it is for me to have a job in fashion that has the potential for me to give back to the community.
^^^ Photo of my client and I with her wearing the completed tailor suit.
^^^The icing on the cake was that the Chicago Tribune realized how life changing this experience had not only been for the women, but also for the designers.
^^^ Image of the finished tailored wool suit which is paired with a gold knit top that included a velvet and beaded strip to finish off the look.
Relevance: This experience is relevant because it showcases my knowledge of tailoring and fit, but most importantly it showcases my interest in giving back to the community I live in, as I am compassionate and concerned about the well-being of women.
Fashion Show Production, Styling, and Social Media Production and Styling: I have a sound knowledge and imagination in merchandising, styling, and fashion trends. As I have created programs and commentary, selected music, and organized costumes and clothing for each show. I have knowledge of process and procedures when producing a fashion show. As I helped set up shows, aided in makeup and hair selection,styling, garment care, and I dressed models at fashion shows. I made drop offs of clothing after shows to each store.
About ZZAZZ:
ZZAZZ Productions is a Fashion Show and Event Production company, located in Chicago, that is a significant force in the fashion and special events industries. Their staff’s expertise, combine choreography, fashion production, and live talent performances with the best of designers in both the fashion and costuming fields.
Social Media: I was able to administrate a successful social media marketing program for ZZAZZ by increasing followers on facebook, creating a twitter account, and creating behind the scenes posts on the production of the shows.
I interviewed ZZAZZ’s Abby Zuppancic about finding success in fashion after graduation for my blogger position at Dominican University, which was also shared through ZZAZZ’s social media.
^^^ Social media photos from Joffrey Ballet Couture & Cocktails fashion show. I also found music selections that would match the theme of each ballet for the models to walk too after a short preview of the ballet.
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Professional Knowledge: This work experience allowed me to discover what it takes in the fast-paced fashion environment. Additionally, this environment has strengthened my ability to problem solve and be professional under pressure. I was able to widen my knowledge on what it means to be an entrepreneur and bussiness owner, as ZZAZZ Productionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Tracey Tarantino, showed me the challenges and rewards of this career choice.
^^^ Social Media post of runway from Fashion Focus show where I helpped to create the line up and aided ZZAZZ at fittings with styling each of the designers looks.
^^^ Social media behind the scenes post, I created using Illustrator, showing each phase in the design process, from inspiration and fittings to the runway.
Relevance: This experience is relevant because I gained knowledge about the entire fashion cycle and provided me with how to market towards different target audiences, such as childrens, the luxury market, and retail outlet customers. In addition to providing interactions with designers from all different niches.
Photo Styling: Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Home, and Apparel Products Model Shots:
Laydowns:
About LTD Commodities: LTD Commodities is one of the nation's premier catalog retailers. LTD supplies quality products at low prices. LTD has a photo studio where it captures products in the best light to showcase the value of each product to consumers. 7.
Product Shots:
Relevance: This section of the portfolio is relevant as it shows my ability to be flexible in a work environment and to learn new tasks quickly. It also shows the ability to follow a color story and make a product look pleasing to a specific market.
Costume Design: Designing with Legos Collaboration: ZZAZZ Productions, a Fashion Show and Event Production company, located in Chicago, asked for a costume for an event they were producing at the Penisula Hotel.
Inspiration: The event had a fantasy theme, which included mulitiple creative and out of the box costumes. The request was to design a garment using legos and gummy bears that would fit in with the theme of the event, but also be an eye-catching feature.
Goal:
The primarry goal was to design a garment that had a classic sillouette and glamorous style, but filled with humor and wimsy by using the elements requested of Legos and Gummy Bears.
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Relevance: This experience is relevant because it showcases the ability to collaborate and design for a client, complete requests on time and the ability to meet clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. But also the ability to design using a unique and personal asethetic.
Stages of Product Development for a Niche Market Demographics: Age: 35 – 50 years old Gender: Women Average income: $50,000 - $80,000 Occupation: Corporate professionals and small-business entrepreneurs Education: College-educated Region: Midwest
Psychographics: Reference Groups: Generation X, ownership groups, and dealerships Life Stage: Adult professionals Activities: concerts, rallies, and festivals Personality: Strong working women Attitudes: Community role models Motivation: An escape from reality
“Many of them (designs) are just
“They (the current styles) are geared to the younger women, not the mature women.” - Market Survey Particpant
smaller versions of the men’s shirts.” - Market Survey Particpant
Color and Design Trends: Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and Honda motorcycles for 2014, there is a clear shift towards streamlined design and a modern look. Even Harley-Davidson, which tends to stick with the classic look. Motorcycle colors include a vibrant orange, sleek and modern black, gray, and a simple off-white. Yamaha and Honda showcase vibrant, jewel tones. Therefore, I predicted that the color trend in motorcycle fashion would incorporate matte grays and browns along with jewel tones. Design is bound to follow with modern and streamlined looks.
^^^ Images from Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, and Honda’s websites of motorcycles for 2014 showcase streamlined and vibrant looks.
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Color Scheme:
Dark Chocolate
Hard Gray
Fabric Swatches anf Flats:
Broadcloth 100% Cotton
Denim 100% Cotton
Fashion Suede 100% Polyester
Leather 100% Lambskin
White Chocolate
Butterscotch Orange
Blue Raspberry Candy
^^^ By using bright colors and modern design elements Hard Candy will bring motorcycle fashion into today’s environment. Jackets will be fitted to the women’s figure to create a feminine silhouette. Also by incorporating professional and fashionable separates into the line, Hard Candy will transition from riding to work with ease.
^^^ Upclose images of the line’s Fitted Motto Jacket and Fashion tee.
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<<< Images of model wearing Hard Candyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fitted Motto Jacket, Leather and Denim Jeans, and Fashion tee on the runway. The look includes two easy to reach pockets built into leather on both sides of the jeans.
Relevance: This experience is relevant because it showcases the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creativity when designing for a niche market, ability to solve problems for clients, and the ability to predict trends for that season.
Couture Techniques: Study Abroad at Paris American Academy Couture Techniques: In this four week intensive Couture Techniques Fashion Design program, I was able to work with industry professionals learning the Essentials of French Fashion and dress at Georges Hobeika and Tony Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s couture Paris fashion week shows. I also learned textile design techniques, including: millanary, shibori, and nuno felting.
Design Process: I focused on couture fashion design techniques with an in-depth application by creating a draped pleated dress inspired by the Madame Grès haute couture method.
<<< A wool felt hat with hand tatted lace made from leather cord as a ribbon.
^^^ Hand shibori dyed silk scarf, created with 5 different colors including: blue, purple, and magenta.
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^^^ While in Paris, I designed the concept for a professional photoshoot and wore my draped pleated gown created with couture techniques.
Relevance: This study abroad experience is relevant as it showcases, knowledge of Couture Techniques, especially draping and Madame Grès haute couture method, as well as my knowledge of millanary and shibori.
Computer Aided Design Color Scheme and Flats: Three corrdinated cotton prints were designed using illustrator for a three piece collection. These summer prints are inspired by the juxtaposition of geometric lines and soft curves in iron gates. Also they are indicative of a world in flux between hard and soft.
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1Front Lining1SingleLining
Pattern Making: Patterns for the garment on the far right were created using a PAD system, and a scaled version of this pattern is show bellow. The pattern was then arranged for best fit when cutting into the fabric. The pattern illustrates the knowledge of adding darts, pleating, seam allowence, and notches in the computer program.
1Front 1Border041Singleailk 1Front Skirt1SingleCotton 1Front 2rectangle051Singlesilk 1Front Waistband1SingleCotton 1Back Shirtsquare011Singlecotton 1Backrectangles062Singlesilk 1Back Waistband1Singlecotton 1Sleevesfleur081Singlecotton 1Front Linging1SingleLining 1Backrectangles071Singlesilk
Relevance: This section of the portfolio is relevant as it shows knowledge of PAD systems, illustrator, and computer aided design. It also showcases the ability to design coordinating prints and an attention to detail when pattern making.
Custom Design and Fit: Mother of the Bride
Inspiration: The client was the primary inspiration for this design. As a plus and petite woman, it has always been difficult for her to find clothing thatfit and was fashionable. For her daugtherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding she wanted to feel confident and beautiful. Consultation: After receiving a few inspiration images from the client, the client reviewed multiple sketches that meet her needs. Sugguestions of fabric were made for the final design and the client came in for multiple fittings to ensure that the garment met her expectations.
Goal:
The primarry goal was to design a garment that had a classic flattering sillouette, that also was fashionable and elegant. 19.
Relevance: This experience is relevant because it showcases the ability to collaborate and design for an individual, while mantaining the ability to design using a unique asethetic. The end result being a design where the individual feels empowered and beautiful.
Luxury Apparel and Bussiness Plan Philosophical Statement: The architecture of Versailles with its openness allowed for the King and Queen to be put on display forcing them to show private information. This openness plays out in Divulge with cutouts and sheer elements. The symmetrical nature of the palace and openness is seen in the collectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of tatting that creatively shows the body, allowing the model to divulge something personal. This tatting is reminiscent of the lace worn at the time of Versailles and is a delicate and intricate way of creating an original handmade lace design with a series of slip knots and a shuttle.
Target Market: Divulge is a collection of luxury ready-to-wear pieces, inspired by Versailles. Knowing the great intricacy of tatting, this collection is targeted towards the luxury market, and can be worn by a woman attending a cocktail dinner, an art opening, or a theatrical experience.
^^^ Inspiration images at Versailles are of the gardens, chapel, and hall of mirrors. When touring Versailles one is struck by the beauty and decadence of the palace, but there is little room to walk with the multitude of tourists.
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Cost and Retail Price: Revolution
2015 Collection Mark-up on apparel 45%
Description Tatted Pleated Silk Dress Tatted ChiďŹ&#x20AC;on Dress ChiďŹ&#x20AC;on Top with Velvet and Tatting
Color
Units Unit Cost
Unit Retail
Total Cost
Total Retail
Gold
9
$ 621.27
$ 2,259.16
$
5,591.41
$ 20,332.41
White Gold
9
$ 612.95
$ 2,228.90
$
5,516.52
$ 20,060.07
Emerald Green
9
$ 401.15
$ 1,458.71
$
3,610.32
$ 13,128.42
9
$ 497.19
$ 1,807.95
$
4,474.69
$ 16,271.59
9 9
$ 228.11 $ 172.72
$ 829.49 $ 628.06
$ $
2,052.98 1,554.45
$ $
9
$ 420.66
$ 1,529.66 Totals:
$ $
3,785.91 26,586.27
Textured Wool Pants with Tatting
White Emerald Green and Tatted Velvet Bra Nude Knit top with Velvet White and Gold Tatted Leather Shorts White and Gold
7,465.37 5,652.54
$ 13,766.94 $ 96,677.34
Break Even Analysis:
Annual Sales
$
375,000.00
Annual Fixed Costs
$
130,978.31
Gross Profit %
35.8%
Breakeven
$
366,240.50
Sales over breakeven
$
8,759.50
Profit Dollars
$
3,132.65
^^^ By creating a complete business plan inspired by the collection, it was determined that a collection driven by the incorporation of the handcraft of tatting would not create a viable business. The plan included cost sheets, break even analysis, swot analysis, and investigation of competitors. This page showcases some of that work including the resulting cost and retail price for each item in the collection, and the break even analysis.
^^^ The Divulge Collection showcases models that look like high-strutting thoroughbreds drenched in wealth, a perfect bouquet of elegance. However they are limited in privacy, as the King was at Versailles. While having the luxury and elegance in the clothing the model has to divulge or disclose sensitive and private information. Finally, each look incorporates an orginal handmade tatted lace design.
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^^^ Photoshoot of a look using hand tatted leather cord, which showcases a modern use for the old handcraft of tatting in the Divulge Collection.
Relevance: This collection is relevant because it showcases knowledge of how to streamline a cordinating collection, as well as knowledge of the bussiness side of fashion. It also showcases the rare knowledge of tatting and how it was used in a inovative way to create modern garments for this century.
Monika Horvat horvmoni93@gmail.com EDUCATION Dominican University, River Forest, IL Bachelor of Arts, May 2015 Major: Apparel Merchandising and Apparel Design International Studies Paris American Academy, Paris, France Apparel Research Degree with Distinction Project: Dominican University, River Forest, IL Endangered: An investigation and business plan for tatting in the 21st century
GPA: 3.9/4.0 2014 2014-2015
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS Dominican University Academic Honor Scholarship, 2011-2015 Recipient of $5,000 Fashion Group International Educational Design Scholarship, 2015 Carole Zucco Academic Scholarship in Apparel Design, 2014 Lavera Lazer Memorial Edowed Scholarship, 2012-2014 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Technical Design SelfieStyler, Milwaukee, WI Fit Engineer Inspect garments for quality construction Analyze garments for fit and write algorithms to recommend sizes to members Ensure every member gets a perfect fit by hosting fittings and conducting research Fashion Production, Merchandising, and Styling SelfieStyler, Milwaukee, WI Activation Center Manager Manage a team of 5 style liaisons Train liaisons to provide style adivice to members, in order to increase sales Increase member activation and improve the member experience thredUP, Vernon Hills, IL Lead Merchandise Coordinator Approve and provide feedback about quality garments, photos, and descriptions Aid Merchandiser in pricing high-end apparel Train new merchandise coordinators LTD Commodities, Bannockburn, IL Assistant Stylist Completed about 15 project orders per week with photographer Styled hardlines and softlines, design sets, styled laydowns, mannequins, and models Acquired coordinating props using company credit card as needed Zzazz Productions, Oakbrook, IL Fashion Production and Stylist Assistant Aid in fitting and dressing models, garment care, styling, and music selection Styled and fit childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looks at fashion shows Designed and created Lego Dress Costume for event at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago Zzazz Productions, Oakbrook, IL Fashion Production and Social Media Internship Student Blogs: Dominican University, River Forest, IL Apparel Design and Merchandising Student Writer
2017-Present
2016-2017
2016
2015-2016
2013-2016
2013-2014 2013-2014
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<<< In this photo, I am shown at the Georges Hobeika couture fashion show in which I dressed models, while studing abroad in Paris.
A little about me: I have always been interested in both the businesss and design sides of the fashion world. However, design is what I soon found myself most drawn too, while being a double major in Apparel Design and Merchandising. Interestingly, I discovered that fashion can be more than just clothing, it can affect the world and the lives of people. That it is why it is important for me to work for a company that strives to give back to the community and have a positive effect on the environment.
“There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness.” - Mahatma Gandhi
While at Dominican University, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern and work as a stylist assistant with ZZAZZ Productions, a fashion show production company in the Chicago area. I studied abroad in Paris in at Paris American Academy in couture techniques. In addition to creating my senior collection, I completed a research project, in which I created a business proposal for a socially responsible luxury boutique. While working at LTD Commodities I gained photo styling experience. This experience benifit my work approving photos and copy of merchandise at ThredUp, where I also priced and authenticated designer merchandise. My future goal is to obtain a master’s in business with a concentration in luxury fashion management. Currently, I am working as a fit engineer at SelfieStyler where I inspect garments for quality construction and analyze fit in order to create algorithms that recommend the best size for members on the SelfieStyler app and website.
Thank you for your time: Contact me at horvmoni93@gmail.com