|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
| Name: |
Priscilla Bailey-Padilla |
| Company: |
Eddie Bauer International, (Americas), Inc. |
| Degrees: |
B.S. Textile Chemistry, Dyeing and Finishing Concentration |
| Graduation Years: |
1997 |
| Current Title: |
Associate Fabric Manager |
| Time in Current Position: |
1.5 years |
| |
|
|
|
| Why is the College of Textiles special? The College of Textiles, and most importantly my graduating class, became sort of like a family to me while I was there. It was really nice to have a connection with a smaller group of people with common interests, at a smaller place of our own at Centennial Campus, and at the same time have the experience of attending a large university. |
|
| |
|
|
Current Responsibilities: As the Associate Fabric Manager, I am in charge of quality on the fabric end. This covers making sure fabrics going into garments from our region (the Americas) meet Eddie Bauer standards for performance and color. In the development stage, Eddie Bauer's QA dept. in Seattle evaluates potential fabrics. It is my job to make sure these standards are met in production. This consists of evaluating and certifying mills, and maintaining their certification. I also evaluate and maintain monthly testing reports from our vendors and any independent or outside testing that is required. I also have to address any issues with our vendors and mills in the event poor fabric quality leads to garment failures.
For color, I am the main contact between mills and Eddie Bauer's Design Team when lab dips for new colors need approval and I also evaluate all production colors, wash standards, and shadebands. I also manage an assistant that helps me keep all of this organized.
On a daily basis, I work closely with our sourcing department here and our staff out in the field, along with all of our vendor and mill QA contacts. |
|
| |
|
|
| Career Path: My first job was as a Market Services/QA representative for Galey and Lord Industries Inc. in Greensboro, NC. There, I assisted account mangers with customer complaints regarding fabric quality issues and addressed claims and any chargebacks from customers. This took me all over the U.S., and into parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Then my career path took me to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), in Research Triangle Park, NC, where I was an Assistant Editor to the magazine there, AATCC Review. I used my knowledge from NCSU and my work experience to edit, review, and sometimes write for the magazine. It was a great way to see what researchers were working on. From there, a work related relocation was put into motion for my husband at his company, and a person was needed in EBI-Miami's Fabric and Color dept. who had experience with woven fabrics. Very quickly I found myself here, and managing fabric quality for wovens, knits, and sweaters. |
|
| |
|
|
| What is your work environment like? In the fashion and apparel industry, there is definitely an atmosphere that is fast-paced, stressful, and demanding; but with the right team, it can be rewarding. Because of Miami's diverse culture, I am fortunate to work with all types of people of different cultures and races. On any given day, I can hear 3 different languages or more being spoken in the office here. My work environment is very cooperative, with all of us really working as a team to make things happen. We are not an office that is too corporate and we make decisions for ourselves-our management is such that we are allowed to do our jobs freely. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| Return to the Alumni Profiles Page. |
|
|
|
|
