In Research & Development (R&D), we have the overall responsibility for designing our products, as well as researching new materials and fabrics for them.

Our everyday tasks consist of individual to-do lists of the most time-pressing issues. We share our work and status organically when we have a creative problem that demands a fresh pair of eyes. Check-ins in the form of departmental meeting is a way of bringing it all together and ensuring that we are on track. We work very independently but on common goals according to the timeline development guidelines for collection completion. The creative direction set for the seasonal collection sets the overarching direction for design, materials, and color, which we all adhere to thereby creating a consistent story that shares a common theme and aesthetics.

The structure of our department is a blend between set individual category responsibilities and an open-door policy. Nothing is exempt from creative feedback and ownership of a style or styles can shift freely depending on what combination will provide the most productive solution.

R&D collaborates daily with the Purchasing department as a functional extension and bridge between R&D and Supply Chain. The Purchasing department acts as the organizational arm of R&D and ensures our suppliers’ production ability. Supply Chain acts in various supportive roles but informationally providing sell-through data for collection planning as well as placing the actual orders and maintaining inventory at our warehouse.