Profile 
Kora Mancini’s job as a successful footwear designer is to balance commercial targets and fashion/innovation. She’s found a balance between business and creativity.
About Kora:
•Very persuasive personality
•Intuitive and knowledgeable about trends
•Positive approach to any challenge
•Fast decision maker
•Creative/innovative
•Efficient approach to design, time, budget and market needs.
•Hands on approach in all aspects of production
I’m a shoe designer and a shoemaker. This combination of vision in fashion trends and design with an ability detailed craftsmanship gives me a unique position in a shoe company.
As a professional fine artist, I earned a Masters degree from the Parson School of Design in 2003 and I had an extensive art career which has gained me international recognition. In addition, I attended Fashion Institute of Technology and it was there where upon completion of my studies I became a footwear designer.
I started my shoe designing career in 2006 when I met Nathan Clark the shoe-making icon who created the famous Desert Boot in the early 50’s. My exposure to Clark’s fine craftsmanship is been of the essence in understanding of brand positioning.
For the past 5 years I’ve learned and practice designing and shoe making on a permanent basis. I’ve been responsible not only on the design part but involved on the sales as well. My 8 months of shoe sells with the Clarks store gave me a very good insight of the need of the customers which I consider frequesntly in the concept of my new designs.
My design philosophy is “ feel Confident, Happy and Comfortable in your own shoes…. be Admired!“
“Kora makes shoes with speed and accuracy! Her energy is remarkable!”- Nathan Clark
Resume CAREER To assume a position as a Footwear Designer for a multi-national
OBJECTIVE: manufacturer and distributor developing fashionable footwear ranges.
SUMMARY OF • Extensive experience in creating impressive practical and efficient footwear designs.
QALIFICATIONS:
• Excellent understanding of footwear trends, color, material combination
and quality testing of products.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage any product line from concept
through production.
• Proficient in creating marketing packages for sales initiatives and
generate sale that optimize profits and financial success.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, multitasking skills with willingness
to work extensively to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Fluent in English, Spanish and Romanian; proficient in Italian and French
EMPLOYMENT Senior Footwear Designer September 2011- Present
HISTORY: Wal-mart New York, NY
• Responsible for Design and development for dressy, casual and athletic women’s
and kid’s categories
• Worked closely with the Product development team to create product that
generate high volume sales for thousands of Wal-Mart store
worldwide.
• Performed market research to learn the latest market trends and consumer
buying patterns to devise design specifications.
• Created technical specification sheets to clearly communicate design direction to
our Global sourcing team in Asia.
• Initiated new ideas with regard to design direction, material selection, last shape
and cost structure needs to help streamline our development process.
• Performed tasks in extremely tight timelines.
• Maintained tracking logs to keep the product team up to date with regard to
status and product details.
Footwear Designer and Developer - Jul 2006- Jul 2011
Nathan Clark, New York, NY Footwear Plus editorial Aug/2011
• Responsible for Design of revised and new emerging products from the
Originals line including casual, sandals, boots and dressy footwear for
women’s and men’s for the creator of the Desert Boot.
• Strengthened the sales of the products to the buyers.
• Created the patterns for various constructions
• Performed tasks in extremely tight timelines.
• Revitalized the brand personality, style and tone.
• Coordinated the product development between the teams in USA and Asia
• Created marketing materials
Founder and Designer -May 2006-Present
Kora Mancini Design Studio, New York, NY- www.koramancini.com
• Responsible for all design conception and business functions including sales,
marketing, finance and customer relationship management.
• Originated and developed unique designs based on 6 benchmarks of style:
comfort, durability, relevance, aesthetics, uniqueness and luxury.
• Successfully launched limited edition footwear line made in NYC that sale at
Ruia- Soho NYC luxury footwear store
• Responsible for all product trend and design research.
• Created all marketing materials.
• Manage all sales development and customer relationship functions.
Sales Specialist April 2006- Nov 2006
Clarks USA , New York, NY - www.clarks.com
• Responsible for footwear sales
• Opened the flag store in NYC and successfully generate revenue in
record time.
EDUCATION Certified: Shoe Making and Designing
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY (2005-2006)
Degree: MFA
Parsons School of Design, New York, NY (2001-2003)
Degree: BFA and MFA
University of Arts, Bucharest, Romania (1992-1998)
