Portfolio Case Studies
1.
Rowing 1839: Heritage in Motion
Inspiration / Story
This collection is rooted in the legacy of rowing and the year 1839—the founding era of competitive rowing. Inspired by athletic heritage, collegiate prep, and cultural storytelling, I reimagined rowing club uniforms into elevated streetwear pieces.
Development Process
- Researched historical rowing apparel and vintage athletic references.
- Created mood boards blending sport and luxury streetwear aesthetics.
- Developed CAD flats in Adobe Illustrator and sourced heavy-weight cotton blends for durability.
- Prototyped hoodies, sweaters, and tees with oversized fits and varsity-inspired typography.
Final Product
The collection launched as Rowing by Claude Michelle’s signature line, featuring versatile hoodies, sweaters, and jackets. Each piece was styled for editorial and e-commerce, balancing heritage with modern streetwear appeal.
Key Skills
- Conceptual design and storytelling
- CAD technical flats (Adobe Illustrator)
- Fabric sourcing and fit development
- Creative direction for campaign visuals
2.
Haiti Rowing Club: Culture Meets Craft
Inspiration / Story
This limited-edition capsule celebrates Haitian heritage through the lens of sport and culture. Inspired by my family roots and the resilience of Haiti, the designs merge national pride with a premium streetwear aesthetic.
Development Process
- Researched Haitian symbols, flags, and rowing history.
- Experimented with color-blocking in red, blue, and white to mirror national tones.
- Designed logos and varsity arch lettering unique to the collection.
- Collaborated with ambassadors for unboxing videos and social media campaigns.
Final Product
The Haiti Rowing Club launched as a limited-edition unisex capsule, including hoodies, sweaters, and tees. Styled as both casual and statement pieces, the campaign imagery focused on cultural pride and modern fashion.
Key Skills
- Logo and graphic design
- Print-on-demand (POD) and Shopify integration
- Influencer marketing campaigns
- Collection branding and storytelling
3.
Olympic Legends: Sport & Style
Inspiration / Story
This capsule honors iconic athletes such as Sylvio Cator (Haiti’s Olympic medalist) and Jesse Owens (track and field legend). The concept was to merge historical athletic achievement with timeless streetwear silhouettes.
Development Process
- Compiled athlete archives and Olympic photography for reference.
- Designed varsity jackets and crewnecks featuring embroidered patches and typography.
- Selected premium fabrics with heavy weight for durability and luxury feel.
- Incorporated storytelling into product descriptions and campaign captions.
Final Product
The collection debuted as a cultural-meets-sport heritage capsule, including varsity jackets, crewnecks, and tees. Editorial shots featured athletic poses to emphasize movement and strength.
Key Skills
- Heritage-inspired design research
- Embroidery and patchwork application
- Editorial creative direction
- Storytelling through campaign captions
4.
Lisse et Luxe / Noir Santé: Redefining Scrubs
Inspiration / Story
This project reimagines medical scrubs as luxury workwear. Designed under two lines—Lisse et Luxe (sleek and fashionable) and Noir Santé (modern and practical)—the goal was to empower healthcare professionals with clothing that balances style and function.
Development Process
- Researched pain points in standard scrubs: fit, fabric breathability, and lack of style.
- Created mood boards blending athleisure, tailoring, and professional wear.
- Developed prototypes using performance fabrics with stretch and wrinkle resistance.
- Designed sleek silhouettes with fashion-forward detailing while keeping function first.
Final Product
The line introduced premium scrubs with tailored fits, stretch blends, and versatile styling options. Marketing positioned the scrubs as where professionalism meets luxury fashion.
Key Skills
- Product development and functional design
- Technical fabric research
- Branding and product positioning
- Marketing to niche professional markets
Technical Skills
Design & Creative Tools
- Adobe Illustrator – technical flats, vector graphics, logos, CADs
- Adobe Photoshop – photo editing, mockups, campaign visuals
- CLO3D / Marvelous Designer – 3D garment rendering, draping simulation
- Canva / Figma – brand decks, mood boards, presentation design
Fashion Design & Development
- Sketching & Illustration – hand-drawn and digital design concepts
- Pattern-Making & Draping – from block patterns to tailored fits
- Garment Construction – sewing, tailoring, finishing techniques
- Textile Knowledge – fabric sourcing, weights, blends, care instructions
- Embroidery & Print Design – graphic applications, patches, logos
Business & Retail Expertise
- Collection Planning – capsule collections, seasonal line development
- Trend Forecasting – market research, fashion history integration
- Merchandising – styling, product presentation, retail floor experience
- E-commerce (Shopify) – product listings, SEO, integrations (POD, TikTok Shop, Etsy)
- Marketing Campaigns – influencer outreach, ambassador gifting, social media campaigns
Operations & Leadership
- Team Management – sales and retail leadership (Nordstrom & Lord & Taylor)
- Client Relations – styling, custom fittings, made-to-measure experiences
- Project Management – overseeing production timelines and vendor relations
- Payroll & Business Admin – multistate/international payroll compliance (corporate expertise)
