# Pakeeza Zaidi > Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. | Fashion & Design Consultant | Head of Design research & product development | Nishat Mills | Senior Assistant Professor| Head of fashion BNU SVAD | Location: San Jose, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/pakeeza Senior design and product development leader with 15+ years of experience across apparel, textiles, denim, workwear, and performance-driven categories. Proven ability to translate design vision, fabric innovation, and market insight into commercially successful products for North American and global buyers. Strong track record in buyer engagement, retail partnerships, sustainability-led product systems, and cross-functional leadership. Adept at leading end-to-end product lifecycles—from concept, fabric development, and line planning to commercialization and go-to-market execution. ## Work Experience ### Stylist & Sales Advisor @ Nordstrom Jan 2024 – Present | United States • • Delivered high-volume, client-facing service while maintaining a personalized, professional customer experience in fast-paced environments. • Utilized clear communication and active listening to accurately assess customer needs and provide timely, solution-oriented recommendations. • Consistently met or exceeded individual performance targets while maintaining high customer satisfaction and service quality standards. • Managed a structured client portfolio, driving repeat business through proactive follow-ups and personalized product or service recommendations. • Accurately documented customer interactions, preferences, and transactions to ensure service continuity and efficient future engagements. • Collaborated cross-functionally with operations and support teams to resolve customer issues quickly, taking ownership through to resolution. • Contributed to increased customer retention, positive feedback, and long-term client relationships through reliable and consistent service delivery. ### Conceptual designer, branding & product development consultant (Remote) @ Nishat Mills Ltd., Client: Red Wing Shoes (Non-FR Apparel Line) Jan 2025 – Present | United States • Led end-to-end concept, branding, and product development for RW Shoes’ Non-FR woven apparel line, aligning heritage workwear DNA with modern U.S. performance and lifestyle utility standards. • Developed a market-ready conceptual framework rooted in form-follows-function, durability, and sustainability through service life, supporting North American consumer expectations. • Drove fabric innovation strategy, specifying durable, stretch-enabled, and comfort-focused materials to improve wear performance and extend garment lifecycle. • Delivered fully engineered garment concepts—from technical sketches and construction logic to stitching details and reinforcement mapping—ensuring production feasibility and performance integrity. ### Senior Asst.prof/ head of fashion studies department .SVAD @ Beaconhouse National University, Lahore Jan 2010 – Present | LAHORE • Developed curriculum for all subjects taught under the Fashion Design department • Arrange and supervise fashion shows - Coordinate photo shoot, fashion shows and display activities • Initiated and developed assessment system – thesis evaluations and introduced assessment measures for student evaluations • Develop and apply design concepts into teaching - study fashion trends and use the ideas in creating new lectures and study material ### Sr.Asstaint Prof: Head of fashion SVAD @ Beaconhouse National University, Lahore Jan 2010 – Jan 2024 | Lahore As a Department Head, I strategically led and implemented comprehensive faculty development initiatives, improvising and enhancing curriculum design, student engagement, academic self-regulation, and the adoption of cutting-edge instructional technologies. I drove impact through targeted workshops and individualized consultations, and collaborated directly with the Dean's Office to spearhead critical policy planning. My leadership extended to optimizing operational aspects, including fostering dynamic industry collaborations, overseeing staff supervision, and managing departmental budgeting for peak efficiency. ### Head of Design & Product Development @ Nishat Mills Ltd. Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 | Pakistan Led the design process for workwear, denim, and non-denim collections, incorporating fashion styling and conceptualizing garment collections aligned with trends to secure partnerships with JC Penney, Dovetail, and Haggar. Developed trend books, presentations, and bespoke fabric solutions to captivate buyers and enhance engagement. Curated collections for major events like Functional Fabric Fair, Kingpins, and ISPO, driving visibility and sales growth. Cordura Collab: Retro performance : a unique collab of hard core workwear fibre with fashion silhouette. A location which show case that true essence of work and fun. Lycra Collab: Blurring the boundaries. A capsule fashion collection. Using fabric technology and finishes like Ecomade, and coolmax with T400 to blur the performance with fashion. ### Project Lead @ Beaconhouse Group Jan 2019 – Jan 2024 | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan Conceptualisation and rebranding of school uniforms for one of Pakistan's leading school systems in celebration of their 50-year legacy. Successfully designed and implemented nationwide uniforms and accessories, incorporating sustainable materials with exceptional quality and ensuring timely delivery. Collaboration with project teams streamlined production and supply chain operations, addressing challenges promptly for seamless execution. Introduction of best practices in documentation management enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and security. ### Business Development & Design Head @ Kaarvan Crafts Foundation Jan 2017 – Jan 2023 Established a pioneering Research and Development department to deliver innovative solutions and custom design services, elevating the business as a leader in creative strategy and customer-focused innovation. Launched Aangan, a groundbreaking digital marketing initiative in collaboration with Samsung Pakistan, creating an e-commerce platform to empower women artisans in rural Punjab. Formed the gateway for female artisans to upload their crafts, take orders, and receive payments nationally and internationally using Android devices provided by Samsung. Under UN Women and British Asian Trust, conducted craft intervention workshops for marginalized communities, enhancing skills and opportunities. Provided expertise in product manufacturing and quality assurance while mentoring junior designers to foster creativity and innovation. Managed budgets for multiple design projects ### Design and Product Development Consultant @ Din Textile mills Ltd. Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Lahore Demonstrated leadership and creative expertise, successfully led a team of designers and stylists to articulate brand identity and maintain high merchandising standards, fostering an environment of innovation and excellence. Launched two major brands while managing multiple projects, ensuring timely execution aligned with seasonal trends and market demands. Developed and implemented comprehensive business strategies, marketing plans, and merchandise assortments that drove sales growth and uncovered new opportunities. ### Design and Merchandising Lead @ Elegance, Craft International (pvt) Ltd. Elegance. www.elegancepk.com Jan 2010 – Jan 2016 | Lahore Directed the design, branding, research, and development for embroidery clothing lines, ensuring innovative and market-aligned product launches that set new benchmarks in the industry. Conducted comprehensive market research and managed projects in alignment with seasonal fashion trends, driving demand forecasting, replenishment planning, and effective pricing strategies. Collaborated with photographers to produce impactful photo shoots, upholding brand identity and design integrity ### Designer and merchandiser | Gulf garments .Bahrain @ Style Textile Jan 2000 – Jan 2002 ### Fashion Designer @ Sapphire Textile Mills Jan 1998 – Jan 2000 | Lahore ### Design intern @ SARAH TEXTILES Jan 1997 – Jan 1998 | lahore ## Education ### MA-Art ED in art education Beaconhouse National University (BNU) ### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Fashion/Apparel Design Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/pakeeza-zaidi-303b7239 --- Source: https://flows.cv/pakeeza JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/pakeeza/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-05