Irene Taira

Irene Taira is a seasoned apparel design and merchandising leader with over 20 years of experience creating innovative, sustainable product lines for global brands. As Senior Manager at BDA, she spearheaded the development of custom-designed soft goods, contributing to the recycling of over half a million water bottles into apparel while mentoring a team of talented designers. Irene’s expertise spans trend analysis, technical design, and global sourcing, with a proven track record of delivering retail-quality apparel for clients like Orangetheory Fitness, Planet Fitness, and NFL Superbowl. Her skills extend to business development, as she has successfully pitched her design concepts to high-profile clients such as the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mercedes-Benz, and Formula 1 McLaren.

• ‍Senior Manager | BDA, LLC (2023 - 2024)‍
• Apparel Design Manager | BDA, LLC (2019 - 2023)‍
• Member of the Board of Advisors | Washington State University - Apparel Design, Merchandising, & Textiles (2020 - 2024)‍
• Freelance Designer - Outerwear, Activewear, & Sportswear | Divine True Self Studio (2015 - 2017)‍
• Apparel Designer - Outerwear, Wovens, Denim, Gear, Sleepwear, & Accessories | Eddie Bauer (2008 - 2011)‍
• Associate Designer & Product Developer - Outerwear & Sportswear | Eddie Bauer (2005 - 2008)‍
• Designer | Unionbay (2004 - 2005)‍
• Assistant Designer | Eddie Bauer (1999 - 2004)‍
• Design Assistant | Eddie Bauer (1997 - 1998)

Washington State University | Bachelor of Arts, Apparel, Merchandising, & Textiles