Sonya Parenti

In this multifaceted role, I consulted on numerous projects for international clients including UGG Australia, L.K. Bennett, UNIQLO, and John Lewis fashion brands. My responsibilities encompassed Trends, Design, Collection Building, Product Development, Sourcing, and Business Analysis. Notably, I integrated sustainable practices into each phase of my work:

Sustainable Design: Focused on creating collections that were not only aesthetically appealing but also environmentally responsible… Show more

In this multifaceted role, I consulted on numerous projects for international clients including UGG Australia, L.K. Bennett, UNIQLO, and John Lewis fashion brands. My responsibilities encompassed Trends, Design, Collection Building, Product Development, Sourcing, and Business Analysis. Notably, I integrated sustainable practices into each phase of my work:

Sustainable Design: Focused on creating collections that were not only aesthetically appealing but also environmentally responsible, employing eco-friendly materials and techniques.

Eco-conscious Collection Building: Developed collections with an emphasis on sustainability, ensuring that each piece reflected a commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Innovative Product Development: Pioneered the use of sustainable materials and processes in product development, aligning product quality with ecological standards.

Ethical Sourcing: Focused on selecting suppliers dedicated to sustainability, ensuring they adhere to ethical practices and hold relevant certifications.

In this role, I not only honed my skills in the traditional aspects of fashion design and product development but also became a proponent for sustainability in the fashion industry, influencing clients to adopt more responsible practices. Show less

With the German Development Agency GIZ, I leverage my expertise to guide the textile industry towards embracing and implementing sustainable practices. My work with the Sustainable Pakistan Project by GIZ is a testament to my commitment to driving meaningful change. In this role, I use my extensive knowledge of sustainable methods and new technologies, developed from my experience with leading fashion brands, to enhance apparel manufacturing in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities and… Show more

With the German Development Agency GIZ, I leverage my expertise to guide the textile industry towards embracing and implementing sustainable practices. My work with the Sustainable Pakistan Project by GIZ is a testament to my commitment to driving meaningful change. In this role, I use my extensive knowledge of sustainable methods and new technologies, developed from my experience with leading fashion brands, to enhance apparel manufacturing in Pakistan.

Key Responsibilities and Contributions:

Project Design and Development: Crafting and overseeing projects for a diverse range of products including apparel, footballs, gloves, handbags, and shoes. This involves a deep dive into sustainable practices, ensuring each item reflects the principles of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Eco-friendly Packaging Design: Creating new packaging solutions from the ground up, with a keen focus on Eco-label credentials. This entails sourcing materials from sustainably managed forests or recycled sources, minimizing hazardous substances, and significantly reducing waste.

Branding and Logo Design: Developing a cohesive brand concept and establishing a strong, sustainable brand identity that resonates with modern consumers.

Digital Strategy Advisory: Providing guidance on leveraging social media and online retail platforms to enhance brand presence, emphasizing the importance of digital engagement in today’s fashion landscape.

Sourcing Sustainable Materials: Identifying and procuring innovative, environmentally friendly materials. My role includes exploring new sustainable options, aligning material selection with the ethos of ecological conservation.

Circular Design Training: Instructing on the principles of circular design and retail models, emphasising the design of products with their end-of-life in mind, to ensure a minimal environmental footprint and promote sustainability in every aspect of the product lifecycle. Show less

A senior role within the Company. My focus was on growing the children’s and woman’s footwear business.

This role included:
• Overseeing the women’s footwear business.
• Strategic planning on how to make the business grow worldwide
• Working on the commercial and catwalk shoe range.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Seasonal prints coordination with other product categories and execution with supplier in Italy.
• Competitor analysis.
• Merchandising, range… Show more

A senior role within the Company. My focus was on growing the children’s and woman’s footwear business.

This role included:
• Overseeing the women’s footwear business.
• Strategic planning on how to make the business grow worldwide
• Working on the commercial and catwalk shoe range.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Seasonal prints coordination with other product categories and execution with supplier in Italy.
• Competitor analysis.
• Merchandising, range planning and price structuring.
• Factory liaison within Italy, Spain and the Far East.
• Supervising of technical specs for factory prototyping, following up with technical amendments.
• Hardware development, from concept right through to testing.
• Presentation of product ranges sales teams worldwide.
• Art directing the creation of promotional catalogs. Show less

I was consulting from my studio in London and traveling to the factories in Italy and the head office in Caslano - Switzerland.
The role included:
• Overseeing the women’s footwear business.
• Strategic planning on how to grow business worldwide
• Working on the commercial and catwalk shoe range.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Working closely with the Merchandising team.
• Merchandising, range planning and price structuring.
• Competitor analysis.
• In house… Show more

I was consulting from my studio in London and traveling to the factories in Italy and the head office in Caslano - Switzerland.
The role included:
• Overseeing the women’s footwear business.
• Strategic planning on how to grow business worldwide
• Working on the commercial and catwalk shoe range.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Working closely with the Merchandising team.
• Merchandising, range planning and price structuring.
• Competitor analysis.
• In house product development.
• Hardware development. Show less

• Strategic planning on how to grow business worldwide
• Working on the commercial shoe range.
• Working on the Fashion Show.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Working closely with the Merchandising team.
• Merchandising, range planning and price structuring.

September 2006 – August 2007
Creative Director Footwear
• Setting up a new luxury footwear business.
• Designed 7 For all Mankind debut collection.
• Managing Design and Technical Teams.
• Factory sourcing in Italy and the Far East.
• Merchandising, range planning and price structuring.
• Presentation of product ranges to the sales teams worldwide.

My focus has been on growing the footwear business.
• Working on the commercial shoe range and on catwalk.
• Finding a solid supplier base.
• Opening the Italian development office in Florence.
• Helped hiring the Italian technical team.
• Working closely with the Merchandising team.
• Range planning and price structuring.

Assistant Footwear Designer and Product Developer on Prada, Helmut Lang and Miu Miu
After attending Cordwainers Fashion College in London, Prada offered me a job in the design and sample production department.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Prada women’s collection.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Helmut Lang’s women’s collection. Frequent trips to New York where the main office was.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Miu Miu women’s… Show more

Assistant Footwear Designer and Product Developer on Prada, Helmut Lang and Miu Miu
After attending Cordwainers Fashion College in London, Prada offered me a job in the design and sample production department.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Prada women’s collection.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Helmut Lang’s women’s collection. Frequent trips to New York where the main office was.
• Assistant Designer and Product Developer for Miu Miu women’s collection. Show less