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MICHAEL KILADA

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | DESIGNER

Professional Summary

Accomplished design leader specializing in cocktail, evening, & bridal dresses, with strong men’s & women’s sportswear experience. Renowned for delivering brand-aligned, commercially successful collections, leading high-performing teams, & mentoring talent. Expertise in pattern making, garment construction, draping, & fit.

Work Experience

Gold and black striped logo with monogram for MICHAELKILADA

Creative Director 
Luxury Women's Sportswear
LA CONFITURE - Shanghai
Feb 2024 - Present

Couturier
Luxury Eveningwear
MICHAELKILADA - New York
Nov 2020 - Aug 2023

Creative Director 
Social Occasion Dresses
Jump Design Group - New York
Sep 2018 - Feb 2020

VP of Design & Merchandising 
Social Occasion Dresses
G-iii Apparel Group - New York
Nov 2016 - Mar 2018

Senior Design Director 
Dresses
Ralph Lauren - New York
Jly 2007 - Nov 2016

Senior Designer
Men's Woven Bottoms
Abercrombie & Fitch - Columbus, OH
2006-2007

Senior Designer
Women's Sportsear
Kellwood/IZOD - New York
2004-2007

  • Launch quiet-luxury women’s sportswear brand in Shanghai

  • Standardize fit and specs for target demographic, ensuring consistency across collections

  • Direct seasonal design, fabric sourcing, and sustainable material strategies

  • Establish brand identity across logos, packaging, and marketing

  • Manage remote factory teams, development, fittings, and pattern corrections

  • Designed custom wedding gown for influential fashion couple’s destination wedding  in Lake Garda, Italy

  • Created bespoke eveningwear and bridal gowns, from consultation to white-glove delivery

  • Engineered tailored bustiers and garment foundations for flawless fit

  • Oversaw atelier development, patternmaking, and campaign photoshoots

  • Appointed as Creative Lead for Executive Leadership Team. Optimized workflow

  • Directed 15 designers across five brands, setting seasonal direction, color, and fabric palettes

  • Improved margins from 65% to 70% and increased sales by 15% through process overhaul

  • Boosted adoption from 18% to 45% by standardizing fit and construction

  • Cultivated collaborative culture, managed in-house sample room

  • Recruited from Ralph Lauren to lead Vince Camuto dress license

  • Expanded customer base with accessible cocktail and eveningwear

  • Created exclusive designs for Pitch Perfect 3, styled Sarah McLachlan for televised events

  • Strengthened merchandising and line strategies

  • Led 15-person team, delivering $1B+ in retail sales

  • Distilled brand DNA to create iconic matte jersey cocktail dresses and evening gowns

  • Perfected the “Lauren Fit” across missy, women’s, and petites

  • Fostered creativity, authenticity, and high-performing team culture

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