Sally Blake
Swimwear and Stretchwear Specialist

Consultancy, Design, CAD, Pattern Cutting, Technical

I am a very experienced and enthusiastic freelance designer and pattern maker, specialising in swimwear, athleisure and dancewear. Skills include liaising with clients at all levels, including start-ups; Adobe Illustrator CAD design and accurate tech sketches, sourcing of specialist fabrics and trims; creating patterns, specs and tech packs; advising on balanced product ranges. Confident with colours, prints and trends.
Technical support includes size specs, fitting, grading sizes, factory liaison, preparation for production.

SALLY BLAKE SWIMWEAR FITNESSWEAR DANCEWEAR

Consultancy, Design, CAD, Pattern Cutting, Technical

KEY SKILLS

Consultancy, Design, CAD, Range planning, Pattern Cutting, Grading, Technical support

Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop. Microsoft Word/Excel

I have a great depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for this specialist field and enjoy new challenges.

BA Hons 2.1 Contour Fashion
De Montfort University. Full driving licence

FREELANCE EXPERIENCE

Clients include: Hunza G crinkle tubular one-size swimwear; Jag London luxury beachwear range CADs, patterns; Zone3 swim + triathlon fit consultations; Afina London designer swim patterns / specs; Ivincia: luxury tenniswear patterns; Cyclista: on trend cyclewear; Hussein Chalayan: Mens + womens swimwear;
Suki Shufu Athleisure clothing range design, CADs, line sheets, patterns;
Tenola triathlon brand creation; Zennor surf bikinis; Kimberley Garner designer swimwear; Lick mens designer underwear + swimwear; UK Swimstore “cover up” swimwear; Different for Girls development of cup sized swimwear: design, patterns, technical support; Goldwater gymnastic and swimwear designs, placement print development

Long term clients include:

SQUAD Dancewear (2023 – current) Fashion dance wear development and technical support Sunuva (London 2011 – 2023) Luxury beachwear and swimwear brand for kids: CAD design + range development, patterns, technical design, tech packs, product sourcing and factory liaison including China, Tunisia, Turkey, India
Samantha Sage (London 2003 – current) Retro designer collection, including ladies, teens, kids and baby swimwear: design, patterns and website layout + PR copy
Pure Lime Danish activewear brand: tenniswear, leisurewear, yoga, running, gymwear: trend research and design
Rhona Sutton CAD design, patterns for high end glamorous swimwear + cover ups; contract development customer liaison Boots, Blooming Marvellous, Disney USA + UK adult, boys, girls, babies. Far East factory visits, sourcing fairs HK + China.
Zoggs performance and leisure swimwear: design + technical support for ladies + mens, maternity styles + liaison of cup size swimwear for Bravissimo.

Designer projects include: Ava Verdu design interpretation for premium swimwear; Issa print designer swimwear range; Bboy William Baker mens swimwear; Jenny Packham London Fashion Week collections; Anya Hindmarch swimwear collection; Mitre England netball dress -Madeleine Press; Amanda Wakeley designing, fabric sourcing, overseeing production of designer swimwear; Sam de Teran innovative ski + sportswear.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

I B Leisurewear: Senior swimwear designer/sales liaison with Debenhams Top Shop H & M; athletic swimwear for Hind USA. Courtaulds Clothing: Senior swim designer for M & S + BHS adult’s and children’s departments.