Professional Overview
Ryu Hayama is an accomplished senior technical design leader with extensive expertise in men's and women's ready-to-wear and outlet apparel. As the Senior Director of Technical Design at rag & bone, he oversees the technical design process for all product categories, driving quality, efficiency, and innovation across the brand's collections.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In his current role as Senior Director of Technical Design Men's and Women's RTW/Outlet All Categories at rag & bone, Ryu is responsible for leading a team of technical designers to ensure the brand's products meet the highest quality and performance standards. He collaborates closely with design, production, and merchandising teams to translate creative visions into technically sound, commercially viable garments. Under his guidance, rag & bone has achieved consistent improvements in fit, construction, and overall product integrity across its men's, women's, and outlet offerings.
Career Progression
Ryu's distinguished career in technical design spans nearly two decades, with extensive experience at leading apparel brands. Prior to his current role, he served as the Director of Technical Design for Women's RTW and Men's & Women's Denim at rag & bone, as well as the Technical Design Manager for Women's RTW and Men's Marc by Marc Jacobs at Marc Jacobs. He also held technical design roles at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he contributed to the success of the Blue Label, Polo Sport, and Japan Exclusive collections.
Academic Background
Ryu holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he honed his technical design skills and developed a deep understanding of the industry's evolving trends and best practices.
Areas of Expertise
- Technical design and pattern development for men's and women's apparel
- Fit optimization and construction innovation
- Meticulous quality control and testing processes
- Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership
- Trend analysis and design-to-production integration
- Denim and casual wear technical expertise
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Ryu has been instrumental in driving continuous improvements in product quality, fit, and production efficiency. At rag & bone, he has played a pivotal role in elevating the brand's technical design capabilities, leading to increased customer satisfaction and market competitiveness. His expertise and innovative approach have earned him a reputation as a respected industry leader.
Conclusion
With his deep technical proficiency, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership style, Ryu Hayama is well-positioned to continue driving the success of rag & bone's apparel collections. His proven track record of delivering high-quality, commercially viable products positions him as a valuable asset in the ever-evolving fashion industry.