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Yuliya Sikora

@yuliyasikora

Experienced womenswear designer focused on commercial, technical, and production-ready collections. Experienced Market researcher

Belarus

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What I'm looking for

I am seeking a role where I can lead market reasearch projectst, collaborate and drive commercially successful, well-engineered products .

I am an experienced womenswear designer with a strong track record creating commercial collections, managing small design studios, and liaising with international production teams to deliver cost-effective, high-margin product. I have led design for knitwear, denim, swimwear, loungewear and lingerie, developed fabrics and washes with suppliers, executed technical sketches and specs, and managed pre-production approvals across multiple countries.

I combine creative concept direction and trend research with hands-on technical skills in pattern making, sampling and factory communication, and have produced large seasonal ranges for private labels and brands while maintaining quality, fit and commercial viability. I am organized, deadline-driven, and experienced in market research, costing and presenting ranges to buyers and directors.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Founder & Womenswear Designer

Kutskova Studio

Mar 2020 - Feb 2024 (3 years 11 months)

Founded and managed a small design studio, creating womenswear collections, overseeing concept-to-production processes, and securing cost-effective domestic manufacturing while developing innovative fabrics and trims.

Fashion Design Product Development Costing Team Management Quality Control

Tailor - Pattern Maker

Restyl Sp.zo.o.

Feb 2022 - Jun 2023 (1 year 4 months)

Produced technical patterns and tailored upholstered products, operating industrial sewing machines and interpreting technical drawings while liaising with clients to meet specifications.

Pattern Making Industrial Sewing technical drawings Client Communication Quality Assurance Upholstery

Market Researcher (Freelance)

Appen

Apr 2020 - Nov 2021 (1 year 7 months)

Conducted desk-based research for B2B and B2C projects for clients including Meta and Google, delivering curated data and insights to support product and content initiatives.

Market Research Desk Research Data Collection Quality Control

Senior Womenswear Designer

Conte S.P.A.

May 2015 - Nov 2019 (4 years 6 months)

Led design teams to deliver seasonal womenswear collections across knitwear, denim and lingerie, managing end-to-end processes from concept and costing to international production and retail-ready ranges.

Team Leadership Costing Fittings Production Coordination

Freelance Womenswear Designer

Freelance

Sep 2011 - Dec 2015 (4 years 3 months)

Designed womenswear collections and private labels for London and Eastern European clients, producing seasonal ranges, managing pattern teams, and approving pre-production samples for quality and fit.

Womenswear Design Trend Research

Junior Fashion Designer

Ziad Ghanem

Sep 2009 - Sep 2011 (2 years)

Supported design of prêt-à-porter and haute couture eveningwear by producing mood boards, technical sketches, and collaborating with suppliers on fabrics and trims for collection deliveries.

Trend Research Print Design

Banquet Waitress

Elite Associate Europe Ltd.

Dec 2007 - Nov 2010 (2 years 11 months)

Delivered plated and silver service at events in 4-5 star hotels, managed guest needs throughout service, and maintained event flow through pre-shift coordination.

Event Services Plated Service Guest Relations Hospitality

Market Researcher

Ipsos MORI

Dec 2007 - Nov 2010 (2 years 11 months)

Conducted market research projects for major UK clients, assisted quality control of recorded data, translated Russian-English materials, and supervised interview teams when required.

Market Research Team Supervision

Fashion Design Intern

Gino Cerruti 1988 Limited

Apr 2010 - Sep 2010 (5 months)

Supported design activities including research, technical sketches and sample preparation during a fashion design internship for seasonal collections.

Trend Research

Fashion Design Intern

Hussein Chalayan

Jun 2008 - Sep 2008 (3 months)

Assisted in design research, technical development and sample work for couture and ready-to-wear collections during an internship.

Trend Research Technical Developments Couture Techniques

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

IPM Business School

Business Academy for Owners, Business

2017 - 2018

Completed the Business Academy for Owners program, a joint project with Stockholm School of Economics IFL focused on business owners and leadership development.

London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Creative Pattern Cutting

2013 - 2013

Completed a Creative Pattern Cutting and CAD/CAM program focusing on pattern development and digital garment construction techniques.

Northumbria University - School of Design

Bachelor of Arts, Apparel Design and Retail Merchandising

2007 - 2010

Grade: First Class Honours

Awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Apparel Design and Retail Merchandising with First Class Honours, focusing on garment design, production and retail strategies.