Hello! I'm Julia
The way my parents tell the story, I was in the third grade when I told my mom “flowers are not as satisfying as winning.” That is when I stopped ballet class and moved to competitive basketball. Ever since that moment I have been on an athletic quest, searching for new and different ways to push my body and mind to their limits.
Athletic adventures have been a major part of my life, from creating lasting friendships to exploring the world and even finding my husband.
It was not until I was out of college and working for a commercial real estate company that I realized I had a passion for apparel that I needed to pursue. For years I had been finding shortcomings in the clothing and products I was using during my athletic pursuits. It was time for me to make a major career change and merge my passion with my career objectives. I have been a student to the process of bringing ideas to market in the apparel industry ever since.
One of my strengths lies in the power of merging radical ideas with practical strategies, blending creativity with a strong analytical mindset; essentially integrating form with function to create a uniquely successful business environment. I am convinced that staying disciplined in embracing these seemingly contradictory frameworks is essential for developing purpose-driven products. I thrive in this environment, leveraging both my creative and analytical abilities to develop impactful new products.
Julia Lafranchise
Phone:
661-319-7598
Email:
Address:
230 South Locust Street
Denver, CO 80224
Website:
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2022 - Present
RIP-IT
Executive
As the Chief Product Development Officer for RIP-IT, I have honed a wealth of experience in driving innovation and excellence in product development. Spearheading cross-functional teams, I have led the ideation, design, and launch of cutting-edge sportswear collections, staying ahead of market trends and consumer preferences. Through strategic planning and meticulous execution, I have optimized product development processes, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality products. My role has also involved fostering strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, negotiating favorable terms to enhance product quality and cost-effectiveness. Overall, my tenure as Chief Product Development Officer has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, resulting in a track record of successful product launches and a reputation for innovation in the sportswear industry.
MAJOR IMPACT: I transitioned our organizational approach to product development from reactive to proactive by implementing a data-driven, financial-based project acceptance criteria process.
Remote
KEY LEARNINGS:
2021 - 2022
Individual Contributor
Remote
RIP-IT
In my role as the Director of Tech Design and Sourcing for RIP-IT, I have gained extensive experience in driving technical innovation and optimizing sourcing strategies. I have been responsible for overseeing the development of technical specifications and design requirements, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of performance and quality. Additionally, I have built strong relationships with global suppliers and manufacturers, negotiating contracts and managing production timelines to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. My role has also involved staying informed about the latest trends and technologies in sportswear design and manufacturing, ensuring our products remain innovative and competitive in the market.
MAJOR IMPACT: I lead our team to successfully transition a manual and outdated process for UPC and digital barcode creation to an automated process, reducing the time required by 90%. This was achieved by utilizing variable data in Adobe Illustrator.
KEY LEARNINGS:
2019 - 2022
Consultant
Remote
Performance Apparel Consulting, LLC
As the Founder of Performance Apparel Consulting, llc, a specialized consulting firm in the sportswear industry, I led efforts to provide expert services in product development and design. Leveraging my in-depth knowledge and industry insights, I collaborated directly with sportswear brands to enhance their product offerings. Through strategic guidance and innovative solutions, my firm consistently exceeded client expectations, earning a reputation as a trusted partner in the competitive sportswear market.
MAJOR IMPACT: My exceptional performance led to a full-time position with one of my clients, RIP-IT.
KEY LEARNINGS:
2019 - 2021
Founder & Owner
Denver, CO
la FRANC
As an individual driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a constant quest for new challenges, I became intrigued by the idea of launching my own brand. This interest arose at a time when the athleisure trend had become somewhat saturated, having originated a few years after lululemon's groundbreaking success with yoga apparel.
Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, I conceptualized a shift in focus from the normalization of loungewear in professional and social settings, to a paradigm where formal and business attire would be expected to deliver enhanced functionality.
Throughout the venture, I assumed a multifaceted role, overseeing all aspects of the business. This included managing investor relations, spearheading new business development initiatives, driving sales strategies, and overseeing the development and maintenance of our website, among other responsibilities.
MAJOR IMPACT: This project was a career highlight for me as I learned a tremendous amount about every part of owning a business. I was forced to learn new things as I wore every hat and managed every department. Ultimately I failed due to both COVID-19 challenges and my own shortcomings, but if I had to do it over again I would, for the learning and growth that took place personally.
KEY LEARNINGS:
2015-2019
Individual Contributor
Denver, CO
Pactimo
Pactimo, a digitally native cycling apparel brand, was my first introduction to the sportswear industry. I learned from two seasoned veterans in the product development department. I was lucky to try out many jobs within development to find out which suited my future career goals. My experience included, materials sourcing, product development (internal and white label) and I was the fit & wear test model for all women's apparel. As the fit and wear test model for the organization I was an advocate for women's specific product development.
MAJOR IMPACT: I managed both raw goods shipments to manufacturers in China and finished goods shipments to customers in the USA. Through the sourcing and raw goods part of my job, I created a new system for materials shipment management, exposing inefficiencies and working with broker partners to establish best practices when bundling shipments from around the world and delivering to China. Through the finished goods part of my job, my biggest win was exposing a failure in one of our shipping partners delivery timing which through significant effort lead to a $30,000 refund for the organization.
KEY LEARNINGS:
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT
Accounting Manager - Comunale Properties
KEY LEARNINGS:
Denver, CO
Operations Manager - ChildLife Essentials
KEY LEARNINGS:
Los Angeles, CA
Program & Social Media Coordinator - TCOYD
KEY LEARNINGS:
San Diego, CA
EDUCATION
Technical Design
FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NY
Professional Studies
Obtaining a technical design certification from FIT provided me with comprehensive training in essential fashion industry skills such as patternmaking, draping, and garment construction. FIT's program is highly respected for its industry-focused curriculum, offering valuable networking opportunities and industry insights through experienced professionals. This certification equipped me with a strong foundation in technical design, preparing me for roles in the fashion industry.
BA, Economics
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
A BA in Economics from UC San Diego has provided me with a rigorous and comprehensive education in economic theory, analysis, and policy. I've benefited from a diverse and accomplished faculty, and a vibrant academic community. This experience has equipped me with strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of economic principles, preparing me for a wide range of careers.
Leg-Wear Development
Certification
MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS CENTER
The leg-wear development certification I obtained from Manufacturing Solutions Center in North Carolina provided specialized training in hosiery and socks design and development. This certification equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the hosiery and socks industry.
CLIENTS & EMPLOYERS
SKILLS
Organizational Solutions
Stakeholder Communication
Systems Thinking
Agile Methodology
Strategy & Execution
Optimization
Product Lead
Design Thinking
Research & Planning
EXPERTISE
Vision
I am a visionary product development leader with a knack for anticipating market trends, driving innovative product strategies and ensuring alignment with stakeholders. I am able to inspire teams to create new designs and products that meet evolving customer needs, positively impacting the bottom line.
Leadership
I am a results-driven and empathetic product development executive with strong leadership skills. I am able to guide cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional products and to personally improve. I believe working in a truly collaborative environment encourages creativity, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Innovation
Innovation sometimes happens overnight and sometimes it takes years and sometimes it is ruined by too many opinions throughout the process. My goal as a leader is to create space and inspire teams to explore new ideas and technologies driving personal and organizational success.