| FROM: Ann Houston,Communications and Marketing Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education 1500 W. Seventh Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074 Phone: 405-743-5112 Fax: 405-743-5541 Cell: 405-742-6838 e-mail:ahous@okcareertech.org |
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Designer Marcy Montgomery Jones Champions CareerTech
Marcy Montgomery Jones’ career interest in apparel design and manufacturing started as a Family and Consumer Sciences Education student while in high school. Today, she designs for an internationally known shape-wear and intimate apparel company.
Jones, a Broken Arrow High School Family and Consumer Sciences Education alumnae, is the designer for Cupid Intimates Blackwell, Oklahoma facility. The company grosses $70 million a year selling its well-known products worldwide. Cupid Intimates’ corporate headquarters and showroom, located in New York City since 1942, is a family-owned business known for its shape (girdles) and intimate wear products since World War II. The Blackwell facility opened in 1972 as a sewing facility with five employees. Since then, Cupid Intimates of Blackwell has evolved from a manufacturing plant to the operations headquarters. The facility has sales analysts, a research and development department, and a distribution center with more than 175 employees. Employees are now primarily executives or in the shipping department living in the Kay County area with a few commuters from Wichita, Perry and Edmond. Jones is the Blackwell plant’s New Product and Process designer for such products as TC Fine Shapewear, Cupid, Naomi & Nicole and Miraclesuit Shapewear. These products are sold worldwide through stores such as Dillards, Bloomingdale, Nordstroms, Macy's, Lord and Taylor, Figleaves, Bare Necessities and WalMart. |
Marcy Montomery Jones |
“While in high school, I developed aesthetic design skills and enhanced creative problem solving skills,” Jones said. “During high school I took Career Tech courses in Family and Consumer Sciences and in sewing,” Jones said. “I use the skills I learned in CareerTech everyday in my personal and professional life.”
That is why Jones has been named a CareerTech Champion.
“CareerTech Champions are alumni of the system’s seven career areas or student organizations who attribute much of success to their CareerTech experience,” according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.
In 2004, she graduated from Oklahoma State University’s College of Human Environmental Sciences with a degree in Design Housing and Merchandising. Today, Jones uses basic sewing knowledge when designing garments and making creative choices about fabric, prints and concepts.
“During college I made extra money doing alterations,” Jones said. “Now, I design innovative prototype garments and marketing concepts, and also blog for my company’s Web site. In my spare time, I enjoy recreating patterns for upholstery and other complicated custom projects.”
Jones’ passion for designing began to take shape in a high school classroom.
“The classes were more hands-on than other classes I had in high school,” Jones said. “The class applied the technical skills that provide a creative outlet while teaching professional and personal skills.”
The skills and sense of satisfaction has a practical side as well as creative side.
“Family and Consumer Sciences is a positive program for high school students,” Jones said. “Students learn practical skills and can develop a creative outlet they can enjoy an entire lifetime. It can also lead to a career in the industry, as it did for me.”
Posted Oct. 28, 2009