Often referred to as a merchandiser, I've been designing clothing, creating accessories, and curating interiors for 20 years. My intuitive eye for lifestyle products is exactly what you (or your client) needs. In the early years of my fashion studies I lived in London and landed my first job as a window merchandiser with the historic department store, Liberty of London. My time in London continues to inspire me; I learned fashion illustration from the iconic illustrator Diana Hughes, visited museums daily, and traveled throughout Europe honing my shopping and design skills. I spent my early career in New York City designing women's contemporary apparel. As a Parson's School of Design graduate I learned from the best attending school with some of the most talented fashion and interior designers in the county. I spent my days shopping at Bergdorf's, Bendel's and Barney's, sketching fashion coquis with a view of the Chrysler building from my 33rd floor office. I helped launch the successful clothing lines Ruby Rd. and Hearts of Palm, which were sold in top department stores across the U.S. While working full time as a designer in my spare time I created a fashion line from my Brooklyn apartment that would eventually be sold by Nepenthes boutiques in Japan. It was a dream come true, but new opportunities and family brought me back Stateside. From NYC I moved to DC and began designing home furnishings, including top-of-the-bed designs as well as home accessories with the elegant Legacy Home line. I've had the opportunity to visit High Point Market and work with textile designers to choose and design one of a kind home furnishing fabrics. In 2005, I relocated to North Carolina, a major fashion manufacturing and textile hub. I landed a Design Director position with Soffe Branded Sporting Goods. I designed mainstream women's and men’s apparel brands sold in all market segments including Strategic Sporting Goods, Department Store, catalog and boutique. I was known in the industry for my keen eye and designed trend-right best sellers. At Soffe, I perfected "the pitch”; reps would deploy me to their key accounts to present new seasonal lines including marketing updates, line overhauls, color intelligence, and special make up design requests. It was a high profile "soup to nuts," operation, and I handled the fashion presentations with panache. Following my time at Soffe I transitioned into footwear and accessories design with Implus in Durham, NC. With Implus, I sharpened my technical design and trend analysis skills. I founded Blackwell & Jennings in 2016 when I knew if was time to get back to my creative roots. Working with people is one of my mediums — as is screenprint, paint, 3D product including furniture and apparel. My studio’s goal is to provide excellent product management in all facets of the design process. My renewed focus in home styling, brand building and visual art is only the beginning. I recently finished a project with Planned Parenthood, updating the patient hub and recovery spaces with a modern and functional design aesthetic. I bring passion, an open mind, and a tireless work ethic to design.
