Jobs in Fashion - Product Developer with Chelsea Willingham , Founder of Minka + Coco
I recently spoke with Chelsea Willingham about her job as a Product Developer. Chelsea's journey into design and development traces back to a childhood shopping trip with her mother. During middle school, she vividly described a pair of shoes she wanted, prompting her to sketch them. Her mother's response, 'Those don't exist,' ignited her creative spark. Her master's degree in apparel design, specializing in sustainability, further refined her creativity.
In the years that followed, she honed her skills as a product developer and sustainability professional in the apparel industry. In 2020, her move to San Francisco brought about fresh inspiration. As she acclimated her dog to urban living, Chelsea discovered a glaring gap. In response, she launched Minka + Coco.
Minka + Coco is Chelsea’s product line for pet owners needing a small hand bag to take with them on while walking their dogs.
She saw the need and created a product! So Cool
At the heart of our brand lies a deep passion for urban living, fashion, and the love of pets. We're Minka + Coco, and we're on a mission to elevate the way you experience life in the city with your beloved furry companions. Our products are a reflection of our commitment to style, functionality, and sustainability. We're here to make your urban pet parenting journey effortlessly chic and truly enjoyable.
Some key takeaways from our conversation:
Product developers are people who work closely with Technical Designers, Pattern Makers and Factories to create products that a Designer envisions.
Chelsea pointed out that a product developer would be wise to have a background in both sewing and pattern making in order to properly communicate the designer's vision with the people creating the product.
She also advised that people just starting out in this field might want to start at a small brand or company, in order to get more exposure to different parts of the business as well as the different categories that business covers. It’s a great way to figure out what interests you most about the process as well as giving you the opportunity to experience which of your personal skills work best in which area of the process.
Chelsea is available as both a product development and sustainability consultant and can be found here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsearaeandco/
Website: https://minkaandcoco.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minkaandcoco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minka.coco
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/minkaandcoco/
Her Kickstarter campaign is available here:
Until next time XO,
Jennifer