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Irving Castañeda                                                              

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Fashion Designer & Tailor 
(773) 562-4050
Chicago, Illinois 
irvingacastaneda@gmail.com
Objective:

Inquisitive fashion designer looking to develop pattern-making, garment construction, and tailoring skills within the fashion industry. I hold a reputation for meticulous artisanship and dedication to my craft.  

Education:

Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois                                                                            Bachelor of Arts

Graduated, 05/23                                                                                                                     GPA: 4.0/4.0

Major: Fashion Design, Minor: Fashion Merchandising                                                                 Summa Cum Laude

 

City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois                                                                              Associate of Arts

2020                                                                                                                                        GPA: 3.9/4.0

Honors & Achivements:

  • Excellence in Fashion Design 2023

  • Outstanding Senior Collection 2023

  • Visual Merchansing Award 2023

  • Dean’s List, 2019 – 2023

  • URSCI Summer Scholarship 2022

  • Outstanding Junior Collection 2022

  • Transfer Merit Scholarship, 2021-2023

  • REV UP Chicago 2021 First-Place Winner

  • Presidential Scholar, 2019-2020

  • Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, 2020

Experience:
Dominican University Fashion Show 2023, River Forest, Illinois
Director
8/22 – 4/23

  • Collaborated with co-producer on show specifics like runway theme, fundraising, and lineup to stage a professional event.

  • Supervised and advised four committees on show details such as logos, videos, merchandise, and advertisement to uphold concept and institution standards.

  • Assisted staff, designers, and committees with stage design, promotional material, and show details to meet deadlines.

  • Oversaw the show cue lab to ensure the correct music, lights, videos, effects, and models during the event production.

McKinley Fashions, River Forest, Illinois
Tailor Assistant Intern           
7/22 – 9/22

  • Assisted lead tailor with the construction of two 3-piece suits and a velvet coat for the Broadway production "The Devil Wears Prada." following instructions and maintaining a production log.

  • Applied hand and machine sewing techniques to create garments and details like pockets, buttons, and zippers while meeting deadlines. 

  • Positioned and cut out patterns on fabrics to match textile designs and velvet napping to produce quality garments.

Dominican University Fashion Show 2022, River Forest, Illinois
Dresser           
4/22

  • Provided assigned models with show and garment information and assisted with quick changes between eight different looks to meet show cues.

  • Organized, cleaned, and prepared garments to maintain pristine condition and organization for the event.

  • Communicated with show directors and staff to ensure efficiency by helping tackle wardrobe malfunctions, additional quick changes, and greeting guests.

Monarch Thrift Store, Chicago, Illinois                                                                                       
Visual Merchandiser

  • Oversaw the styling of 13 mannequins of different genders to create appealing and eye-catching visual displays that highlight store merchandise.

  • Produced displays for two store entrance windows to generate attention and increase sales through clear messaging that aligns with the organization's culture, products, image, and target market.

4/22 – Present
Dominican University Fashion Department, River Forest, Illinois
Sewing Tutor                                                                                                 
1/22 – 4/23

  • Taught and motivated peers with garment construction, pattern alterations, and cutting fabric to meet deadlines and course standards using prompt and clear guidance.

  • Supervised students using sewing equipment to increase their productivity and machine understanding by correcting usage errors with proper examples.  

Latina Expo 2021/ World of Fashion Festival, Chicago, Illinois  
Volunteer
10/21

  • Assisted with producing over 400 event bags with fourteen different inserts for show distribution, meeting production expectations and guidelines. 

  • Guided vendors to their assigned booths and assisted with their merchandise setups to meet event protocols and venue layout.

  • Handled V.I.P. check-in booth by greeting and providing guests with show directions and gifts in a welcoming manner. 

Fashion Club at Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois
President
8/21 - 5/22

  • Spearheaded club meetings with a team of five to brainstorm engaging events.

  • Collaborated with other clubs and faculty in school-wide productions to boost club visibility and student engagement.

  • Oversaw club budget by tracking spending and submitting paperwork to stay within the organization's allowance.

Dominican University Fashion Show 2021, River Forest, Illinois
Volunteer
4/21

  • Aided with last-minute hem finishes of garments to secure a professional runway presentation.

  • Managed merchandise booth raising over two thousand dollars for future department shows.

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