K R I S T Y N  SCHIMMERLING

Bronx, NY 10473 : ms.schimmerling@gmail.com : 917.544.0616                                                               

SUMMARY 

Art Teacher with a passion for cultivating inclusive learning in diverse environments, youth empowerment, socio-emotional learning, technical skill development, and “The Business of Art”. Professional experience in fashion design, painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, photography, theater and dance. Ten year career in the fashion industry including: design, styling, production, and management at companies such as Donna Karan, Bloomingdale's Flagship, Steve Madden, and Dusica Dusica.

EDUCATION 

05/2023 Masters of Arts in Teaching: Art Education 

City University of New York, Queens College - Queens, NY 

Magna Cum Laude, Culturally Relevant - Sustaining Environments

12/2008 Bachelor of Science: Fashion Design

State University of New York, College At Oneonta - Oneonta, NY 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE 

09/2023 to Current        Art Teacher - Early Elementary

P.S. 109 The Sedgwick School – THE BRONX, NY

• Collaborated with classroom teachers to plan art lessons that connect to core subjects, incorporating The Creative Curriculum and HMH resources to support student learning

• Showcased student artwork throughout the school, developed and maintained engaging bulletin boards to create a vibrant and inspiring learning environment

• Strategically scaffolded lessons and implemented heterogeneous seating to accommodate diverse learning styles and build artmaking skills

09/2022 to 07/2023     Art Teacher - High School

Eagle Academy for Young Men – THE BRONX, NY

• Planned and executed rigorous visual arts instruction that sparked the creativity of 150 hIghschool boys through culturally relevant art making opportunities in a variety of mediums such as drawing, painting, and sculpture

• Utilized empirical data to inspire chronology of lessons to ensure every student succeeds

02/2022 to 06/2022      Student Art Teacher - High School

Newcomers High School - QUEENS, NY

• Co-created an engaging art curriculum to cater to the unique needs of multinational and multilingual ELL high school students new to the United States

• Created unit plans for art with language function components to enhance students' English language learning

10/2021 to 12/2021        Student Art Teacher - High School

Jacob Blackwell Elementary and Middle School - QUEENS, NY 

• Developed and implemented various thematic age-appropriate lesson plans in accordance with the National Core Art Standards for Pr-K to 8th grade students

• Engaged students by incorporating real life connections that spoke to their various interests

• Nurtured students self esteem and critical thinking skills by providing positive feedback and creating opportunities for students to present and critique their work

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

2020

Freelance Shoe Stylist

Steve Madden - NYC

• Organized, prepared and styled shoes, bags, and other product to be photographed for social media, web, digital marketing, and various other special projects

• Ensured maximum quality still life & on figure imagery representative of product & brand integrity

• Collaborated with photographer to organize workload for the day, to meet daily expectations

• Organized and prioritized incoming and outgoing samples

• Prepped clothing for on-figure shoots

• Researched new ideas and trends and propose innovative ideas

2019

Seasonal Mannequin Stylist

Bloomingdale’s Flagship - NYC

• Created engaging and inspiring displays among all tiers of of the store from the young and hip client to the luxury client

• Took ownership of my own zone while collaborating as a team to ensure common themes and an interactive experience throughout the store

• Identified opportunity, pitched and executed innovative solutions

• Built props on the sales floor as well as for windows with a sense of urgency and excellent execution. Installations included standing on ladders, painting, placing vinyls, hanging copious amounts of glass paillettes

• Organized and maintained storage of visual and merchandising elements                                                                                          

2018

Freelance Production Assistant

Raf Simons - NYC

• Managed on hand interns/assistants to build massive edible set displays for Raf Simons FW 2018 fashion show

• Reported to multiple directors ensuring proper translation of the vision based off of inspiration

• Displays were feature in all fashion media including a highlight in Vogue

• Excelled in my position resulting in evolving responsibility and opportunity

2016 – 2018

Visual Merchandising Manager/Stylist

Viscera NY - New York, NY

• Analyzed trends, devised a strategy, and assembled cohesive inspiration boards for Design Director

• Built displays to add depth and merchandised line to communicate current inspiration for buyers and private clients

• Maintained eye-catching and enchanting showroom in lieu of sales and new production

• Utilized historic garment library to effectuate new concepts

• Coordinated fashion shows with PR team                                               

• Maintained and wrote for blog and weekly email list

 2014 - 2016                                                                                            

Visual Merchandising Manager

Forever 21 - Johnson City, NY 


• Opened Forever21's second RED store location and worked with corporate to experiment with different merchandising techniques to reach their target market

• Utilized talent based on abilities streamlining sales, visual and stock processes resulting in a competitive standing amongst the region starting with our first quarter 


• Supported multiple diverse and rapidly changing visions or 'shops' with fast fashion apparel, jewelry, hair accessories, footwear, home goods, and non-perishable merchandise cross-selling accessories to complement various looks. 
                                                                

• Styled 70+ window and interior mannequins following tight corporate visual merchandising standards as per each 'shop' sensitive to current inventory levels and availability resulting in increased sales 


2014

Wardrobe Stylist 

AllSaints - Soho, NYC 


• Communicated confidently & knowledgeably about the AllSaints range with enthusiasm & passion 


• Actively styled and created complete wardrobes to grow the sales and conversion in store 


• Translated look book styling to suit each customers unique needs 


• Developed great client relationships that have lasted through personal shopping career 


April 2012 –2014                                                                                             

Production Manager

Viscera NY - New York, NY

• Assisted in line development including brainstorming sessions to seek innovative new concepts

• Managed sample production and assisted Design Director with fittings

• Worked with luxury beading, laces, furs, leathers, and other fine textiles

• Oversaw all factory operations, providing detailed instructions and working closely with the director for pattern placement and assembly, maintaining luxury standards

• Delegated tasks to interns to stay on time according to production calendar

• Fostered textile and factory relationships to ensure seamless execution

December 2010 - 2012

Production Assistant

Cynthia Rose New York - New York, NY

• Liaised with the designer to turn design concepts into finished garments to assure cohesive line development

• Worked with fur, leather and woven garment factories on a daily basis and conducted weekly supervision quality inspections of factories

• Conducted fit sample sessions with fit models and maintained brand image through translation of designs

• Assisted in the production of jewelry designs and kept documentation of sold jewelry

• Sourced and ordered fabrics, trims, and notions and managed inventory of garments, fabrics, trims and

• Maintained current and historic garment closets and assisted in showroom preview

• Planned, organized, and promoted Presentations

August 2009 - 2010 

Global Licensing Design

Donna Karan Company - New York, NY 


• Assistant to Design Director during the absence of a Design Assistant                        

• Created design presentations for executive licensee meetings and
attended said meetings taking details notes

• Assisted in decision making process concerning licensing design acceptance 


• Highly involved in Jewelry, Accessories, and Childrenswear licensees
in particular 
 

February 2019 - 2020