HI, I'm
KESHIA
MCCRAY

HI, I'm
KESHIA
MCCRAY

I’m an LA-based apparel designer with over 15 years of experience creating high-volume apparel for the Junior and Gen Z market. I’ve worked with brands like Target, Dillard's, Macy’s, and Kohl’s, designing pieces that hit shelves fast, sell through, and still feel personal. If it's print-heavy, detail-driven, and has to move fast, I’m in my element.


I design with real people in mind — what they’re wearing, where they’re going, and how they want to feel when they get dressed. My process is part instinct, part research, and a lot of collaboration. I stay hands-on from first sketch to final fit.

What I bring
to the table

As a fashion designer, I’m a visual storyteller — blending instinct, research, and trend insight to create collections that drive connection, fuel growth, and help brands stand out in a crowded market.

1. Fashion Design

Creative direction and concept building

Apparel sketching (hand + digital)

Print, color, and fabric curation

Collection building across categories

2. Trend Research

Moodboards and seasonal trend stories

Forecasting across Gen Z and Millennial markets

Street style, retail, and social media reporting

Color and silhouette analysis

3. Brand Designing

Brand voice and positioning for fashion lines

Lookbooks, pitch decks, and brand assets

Capsule storytelling and campaign ideation

Visual identity systems (logos, type, tone)

4. Technical Design

Flat sketching and detailed style sheets

Basic specs and measurement guides

Design handoffs for costing and sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration with vendors and factories

1. Fashion Design

Creative direction and concept building

Apparel sketching (hand + digital)

Print, color, and fabric curation

Collection building across categories

2. Trend Research

Moodboards and seasonal trend stories

Forecasting across Gen Z and Millennial markets

Street style, retail, and social media reporting

Color and silhouette analysis

3. Brand Designing

Brand voice and positioning for fashion lines

Lookbooks, pitch decks, and brand assets

Capsule storytelling and campaign ideation

Visual identity systems (logos, type, tone)

4. Technical Design

Flat sketching and detailed style sheets

Basic specs and measurement guides

Design handoffs for costing and sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration with vendors and factories

1. Fashion Design

Creative direction and concept building

Apparel sketching (hand + digital)

Print, color, and fabric curation

Collection building across categories

2. Trend Research

Moodboards and seasonal trend stories

Forecasting across Gen Z and Millennial markets

Street style, retail, and social media reporting

Color and silhouette analysis

3. Brand Designing

Brand voice and positioning for fashion lines

Lookbooks, pitch decks, and brand assets

Capsule storytelling and campaign ideation

Visual identity systems (logos, type, tone)

4. Technical Design

Flat sketching and detailed style sheets

Basic specs and measurement guides

Design handoffs for costing and sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration with vendors and factories

1. Fashion Design

Creative direction and concept building

Apparel sketching (hand + digital)

Print, color, and fabric curation

Collection building across categories

2. Trend Research

Moodboards and seasonal trend stories

Forecasting across Gen Z and Millennial markets

Street style, retail, and social media reporting

Color and silhouette analysis

3. Brand Designing

Brand voice and positioning for fashion lines

Lookbooks, pitch decks, and brand assets

Capsule storytelling and campaign ideation

Visual identity systems (logos, type, tone)

4. Technical Design

Flat sketching and detailed style sheets

Basic specs and measurement guides

Design handoffs for costing and sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration with vendors and factories

Retailers I've worked with

  • Target

    /

  • Nordstrom Rack

    /

  • TJX

    /

  • Belk

    /

  • Kohls

    /

  • JCP

    /

  • Dillards

    /

  • Stitch Fix

    /

  • Maurices

    /

  • Macy's

    /

  • Meijers

    /

  • Nordstrom

    /

  • Target

    /

  • Nordstrom Rack

    /

  • TJX

    /

  • Belk

    /

  • Kohls

    /

  • JCP

    /

  • Dillards

    /

  • Stitch Fix

    /

  • Maurices

    /

  • Macy's

    /

  • Meijers

    /

  • Nordstrom

    /

  • Target

    /

  • Nordstrom Rack

    /

  • TJX

    /

  • Belk

    /

  • Kohls

    /

  • JCP

    /

  • Dillards

    /

  • Stitch Fix

    /

  • Maurices

    /

  • Macy's

    /

  • Meijers

    /

  • Nordstrom

    /

Featured Projects

Featured Projects

<Trend Projects>

Modern Romance - Spring 2025

Ethereal and effortlessly feminine, this Romantic Boho capsule blends flowing silhouettes, vintage-inspired lace, and watercolor florals into a dreamy, grounded vision of modern-day softness.

Cover page for Modern Romance Collection

<Openline>

Office Core – Fall 2024

A refined blend of tailored ease and street-smart polish, this Office Core capsule reimagines 9-to-5 dressing with boxy blazers, pleated minis, crisp shirtings, and menswear textures made to work anytime, anywhere.

Collage of Women's Office Trends

<Brand Design>

Wild Fable BTS 2023 Edit

A utility-cool, Y2K remix of fall essentials — where low-rise cargo skirts, knit layers, and vintage edge collide in a Gen Z-ready closet refresh.

Coverpage of a women standing by a window in a leather trench

<Trend Projects>

Trend Direction – The Big Ideas

A forward-thinking concept board blending elevated utility, cutout tailoring, and movement-ready silhouettes — curated to inspire future collections through a Gen Z lens.

Fashion Illustration of Trends

<Trend Projects>

Modern Romance - Spring 2025

Ethereal and effortlessly feminine, this Romantic Boho capsule blends flowing silhouettes, vintage-inspired lace, and watercolor florals into a dreamy, grounded vision of modern-day softness.

Cover page for Modern Romance Collection

<Openline>

Office Core – Fall 2024

A refined blend of tailored ease and street-smart polish, this Office Core capsule reimagines 9-to-5 dressing with boxy blazers, pleated minis, crisp shirtings, and menswear textures made to work anytime, anywhere.

Collage of Women's Office Trends

<Brand Design>

Wild Fable BTS 2023 Edit

A utility-cool, Y2K remix of fall essentials — where low-rise cargo skirts, knit layers, and vintage edge collide in a Gen Z-ready closet refresh.

Coverpage of a women standing by a window in a leather trench

<Trend Projects>

Trend Direction – The Big Ideas

A forward-thinking concept board blending elevated utility, cutout tailoring, and movement-ready silhouettes — curated to inspire future collections through a Gen Z lens.

Fashion Illustration of Trends

<Trend Projects>

Modern Romance - Spring 2025

Ethereal and effortlessly feminine, this Romantic Boho capsule blends flowing silhouettes, vintage-inspired lace, and watercolor florals into a dreamy, grounded vision of modern-day softness.

Cover page for Modern Romance Collection

<Openline>

Office Core – Fall 2024

A refined blend of tailored ease and street-smart polish, this Office Core capsule reimagines 9-to-5 dressing with boxy blazers, pleated minis, crisp shirtings, and menswear textures made to work anytime, anywhere.

Collage of Women's Office Trends

<Brand Design>

Wild Fable BTS 2023 Edit

A utility-cool, Y2K remix of fall essentials — where low-rise cargo skirts, knit layers, and vintage edge collide in a Gen Z-ready closet refresh.

Coverpage of a women standing by a window in a leather trench

<Trend Projects>

Trend Direction – The Big Ideas

A forward-thinking concept board blending elevated utility, cutout tailoring, and movement-ready silhouettes — curated to inspire future collections through a Gen Z lens.

Fashion Illustration of Trends

<Trend Projects>

Modern Romance - Spring 2025

Ethereal and effortlessly feminine, this Romantic Boho capsule blends flowing silhouettes, vintage-inspired lace, and watercolor florals into a dreamy, grounded vision of modern-day softness.

Cover page for Modern Romance Collection

<Openline>

Office Core – Fall 2024

A refined blend of tailored ease and street-smart polish, this Office Core capsule reimagines 9-to-5 dressing with boxy blazers, pleated minis, crisp shirtings, and menswear textures made to work anytime, anywhere.

Collage of Women's Office Trends

<Brand Design>

Wild Fable BTS 2023 Edit

A utility-cool, Y2K remix of fall essentials — where low-rise cargo skirts, knit layers, and vintage edge collide in a Gen Z-ready closet refresh.

Coverpage of a women standing by a window in a leather trench

<Trend Projects>

Trend Direction – The Big Ideas

A forward-thinking concept board blending elevated utility, cutout tailoring, and movement-ready silhouettes — curated to inspire future collections through a Gen Z lens.

Fashion Illustration of Trends

Brands & LABELS I've DESIGNED FOR AND Collaborated With

  • Wild Fable

    /

  • Knox Rose

    /

  • SO

    /

  • Copper Key

    /

  • GB

    /

  • Bailey Rose

    /

  • Jolt

    /

  • Mimi Chica

    /

  • Wild Fable

    /

  • Knox Rose

    /

  • SO

    /

  • Copper Key

    /

  • GB

    /

  • Bailey Rose

    /

  • Jolt

    /

  • Mimi Chica

    /

  • Wild Fable

    /

  • Knox Rose

    /

  • SO

    /

  • Copper Key

    /

  • GB

    /

  • Bailey Rose

    /

  • Jolt

    /

  • Mimi Chica

    /

[process]

How It Comes Together

How It Comes Together

From trend research to final delivery, here’s a look at how I bring each collection to life — with hands-on strategy, design clarity, and a sharp eye on what sells.

01

Concept

It all starts with research. I study runways, retail, influencers, youth trends, and cultural shifts — from street style to macro movements. I meet with buyers, check in with retail partners, collaborate with cross-functional design teams, and analyze what’s resonating on the floor and online. I shop the market, research silhouettes, dig into prints and color stories, and stay curious about the latest in both contemporary and Gen Z markets.

02

02

Creative Planning

Creative Planning

Once the direction is set, AND I HAVE MANAGEMENT BUY-IN, I source fabrics and trims while planning T&A (Time & Action) calendars across internal and external teams. I coordinate with local and overseas vendors, prep the space for factory development, and lay out the critical path — from patterning and sampling to pre-production and delivery. Planning isn’t just creative — it’s operational.

Once the direction is set, AND I HAVE MANAGEMENT BUY-IN, I source fabrics and trims while planning T&A (Time & Action) calendars across internal and external teams. I coordinate with local and overseas vendors, prep the space for factory development, and lay out the critical path — from patterning and sampling to pre-production and delivery. Planning isn’t just creative — it’s operational.

03

Design

Sketching begins by hand, then shifts to digital — with clean fashion illustrations, detailed flats, pattern request callouts, and full CAD development. I build trend decks, line plans, and presentation-ready linesheets that communicate the story and product clearly across design, merchandising, and production teams.

04

04

Techpacks

Techpacks

I prepare tech packs with detailed specs, fabrications, and construction notes — then coordinate directly with vendors to answer questions and track development. I often work with 3D designers (CLO) to visualize samples before cut. Whether referencing blocks or working from scratch, I ensure everything is ready for factory handoff — including sew-by samples and cost comparison tools across vendors.

I prepare tech packs with detailed specs, fabrications, and construction notes — then coordinate directly with vendors to answer questions and track development. I often work with 3D designers (CLO) to visualize samples before cut. Whether referencing blocks or working from scratch, I ensure everything is ready for factory handoff — including sew-by samples and cost comparison tools across vendors.

05

Development

I align with factories to review capacity, fit strategy, and costing targets. From Zoom fittings to WhatsApp updates, I solve design and production challenges in real time — making sure the final product meets quality, budget, and delivery needs. I often test new factories and help brands establish scalable vendor relationships that work.

06

06

Delivery

Delivery

Once the sample line is in, I manage photoshoots, tag garments, and prep final linesheets. I shoot production reference photos, stage showroom setups, and meet with buyers to present the line. Their feedback helps shape final adjustments — and often sparks ideas for the next delivery. I stay hands-on through it all, ensuring the story stays clear and the fit is perfected, from sketch to store, or online commerce.

Once the sample line is in, I manage photoshoots, tag garments, and prep final linesheets. I shoot production reference photos, stage showroom setups, and meet with buyers to present the line. Their feedback helps shape final adjustments — and often sparks ideas for the next delivery. I stay hands-on through it all, ensuring the story stays clear and the fit is perfected, from sketch to store, or online commerce.

My Creative
JOURNEY

Every collection, every collaboration, and every role has added to how I work today — blending creativity with strategy, instinct with research, and style with real-world performance. Here are a few chapters from my journey that reflect how I design, lead, and build product that delivers.

KELLWOOD
Design Director
2016-2024

At Kellwood, I led the charge on trend-driven collections for the junior market, overseeing everything from seasonal concepting to final fittings. I collaborated across design, sales, and production teams to create high-volume apparel that was both commercially successful and creatively on-point. My role required strong leadership, deep market awareness, and a hands-on approach to product development — all while delivering on tight timelines.


What I brought:

  • Volume-driving design with a trend-first mindset

  • Cross-functional collaboration with global teams Leadership across multiple brands and deadlines

  • Consumer-focused strategy rooted in both instinct and data

TOPSON
DOWNS
Senior Designer
2010-2013

At Topson Downs, I focused on expressive silhouettes, flirty knits, and bold print stories that resonated with West Coast youth culture. I collaborated closely with the art team to develop custom prints and worked directly with overseas factories to refine fit, construction, and delivery. This was a fast-paced role that sharpened my ability to move quickly, think creatively, and lead with confidence.


What I brought:

  • Print-forward design with visual storytelling

  • Fit development and international vendor collaboration

  • Elevated trend research rooted in real-time culture

  • Agility to adapt across product drops and category shifts

TOPSON
DOWNS
Senior Designer
2010-2013

At Topson Downs, I focused on expressive silhouettes, flirty knits, and bold print stories that resonated with West Coast youth culture. I collaborated closely with the art team to develop custom prints and worked directly with overseas factories to refine fit, construction, and delivery. This was a fast-paced role that sharpened my ability to move quickly, think creatively, and lead with confidence.


What I brought:

  • Print-forward design with visual storytelling

  • Fit development and international vendor collaboration

  • Elevated trend research rooted in real-time culture

  • Agility to adapt across product drops and category shifts

LARRY HANSEL
CLOTHING CO.
Designer
2005-2008

Larry Hansel Clothing, aka Rampage Clothing Company is where I honed my hands-on approach — from sketching and fabric sourcing to fit sessions and production approvals. I led the design of knit tops, woven pieces, and dresses across a tight weekly calendar, which taught me the power of clear communication, quick decision-making, and owning the product from start to finish.


What I brought:

  • End-to-end product development

  • Attention to detail and pride in execution

  • Weekly design cycles with zero missed deadlines

  • Strong merchandising stories supported by fit and feel

LARRY HANSEL
CLOTHING CO.
Designer
2005-2008

Larry Hansel Clothing, aka Rampage Clothing Company is where I honed my hands-on approach — from sketching and fabric sourcing to fit sessions and production approvals. I led the design of knit tops, woven pieces, and dresses across a tight weekly calendar, which taught me the power of clear communication, quick decision-making, and owning the product from start to finish.


What I brought:

  • End-to-end product development

  • Attention to detail and pride in execution

  • Weekly design cycles with zero missed deadlines

  • Strong merchandising stories supported by fit and feel

LOCATION

LOS ANGELES, CA

2025 © KESHIA MCCRAY

LOCATION

LOS ANGELES, CA

2025 © KESHIA MCCRAY