Charles Beelitz

Senior Technical Designer for Women's Swimwear
New York, New York, United States

Professional Overview

Charles Beelitz is a seasoned technical designer with over 9 years of experience in the women's apparel industry, specializing in swimwear, lounge, and sleepwear. As the Senior Technical Designer at J.Crew, he is responsible for leading the design and development of innovative, high-quality women's swimwear collections that meet the brand's aesthetic and performance standards.

Experience Summary

Current Role

Senior Technical Designer, Women's Swimwear at J.Crew (2021 - Present)

• Oversee the technical design process for J.Crew's women's swimwear collections, ensuring optimal fit, functionality, and alignment with brand vision

• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, pattern-making, and production teams to develop and refine new styles, enhance existing products, and address technical challenges

• Utilize advanced CAD software and 3D prototyping to create detailed technical specifications and communicate design intent to manufacturing partners

• Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and sales data to identify opportunities for product innovation and improvement

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior technical designers, fostering their professional development

Career Progression

Technical Designer, Women's Swimwear at J.Crew (2017 - 2021)

• Progressed from Associate Technical Designer to Technical Designer, demonstrating a strong command of technical design principles and a proven track record of successful swimwear collections

• Spearheaded the development of several best-selling swimwear styles, contributing to the brand's increased market share and customer satisfaction

• Collaborated with design and merchandising teams to ensure technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of new product concepts

Associate Technical Designer, Women's Swimwear, Lounge and Sleepwear at J.Crew (2015 - 2017)

• Gained valuable experience in technical design across multiple women's apparel categories, developing a well-rounded understanding of the design and development process

Freelance Associate Technical Designer at J.Crew (2015)

• Provided short-term technical design support, demonstrating the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment

Associate Technical Designer, Women's Polo Sport at Ralph Lauren (2014)

• Expanded technical design expertise to the women's activewear segment, contributing to the development of high-performance sportswear

Assistant Technical Designer, Men's Knits for Men's Polo, RLX and Golf at Ralph Lauren (2012 - 2014)

• Honed technical design skills in the men's apparel category, laying the foundation for a career focused on women's swimwear and athleisure

Men's Technical Design Intern at Kenneth Cole Productions (2012)

• Gained early exposure to the technical design process, setting the stage for a successful career in the industry

Academic Background

Charles holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he graduated with distinction and was recognized for his exceptional technical design skills.

Areas of Expertise

• Technical design for women's swimwear, lounge, and sleepwear

• Proficiency in advanced CAD software and 3D prototyping

• Keen understanding of fabric properties, fit, and construction techniques

• Ability to translate design concepts into production-ready technical specifications

• Cross-functional collaboration with design, merchandising, and manufacturing teams

• Mentorship and guidance of junior technical designers

Professional Impact

• Developed several best-selling swimwear styles that contributed to increased market share and customer satisfaction at J.Crew

• Recognized for exceptional technical design skills and attention to detail, earning a promotion to Senior Technical Designer role

• Leveraged advanced CAD and 3D prototyping capabilities to streamline the design and development process, improving efficiency and reducing time-to-market

Conclusion

With his extensive experience, exceptional technical design skills, and strong industry relationships, Charles Beelitz is poised to continue driving innovation and success in the women's swimwear market. As the Senior Technical Designer at J.Crew, he is committed to delivering high-quality, fashion-forward products that meet the evolving needs of the brand's customer base.