Hi, I’m Heather.

I’m a designer with 20+ years in fashion, and Heather Caye Studio is where my print and pattern work, apparel design, and brand projects come together. My work is inspired by the ocean, coastal living, and a bold love of color, and I turn that into products that are made to be produced, shipped, and sold.

The Story

I started at Abercrombie & Fitch/Hollister Co. and worked up through six levels to Design Director. From there I led design teams at Urban Outfitters and PacSun as a Senior Design Director, designing knits, fleece, sweaters, swimwear, and celebrity collaboration collections. I’ve also built my own label, NIGHT DIVE SWIM, a sustainable, size-inclusive swim brand, and designed swim for JOLYN and women’s collections for Soft Surroundings. I have a BFA in Fashion Design from Otis College of Art and Design and a Certificate of Entrepreneurship from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.

I believe good design is a mix of art and strategy. That might mean drawing a seamless, production-ready repeat print, putting together a tech pack a factory can work from, building a seasonal color story, or helping a founder shape their brand’s direction. Whatever the project is, I care about getting it right, on time, and at the right price point.

What I Do

• Apparel design and development: concept, color, fabric, tech packs, and fit, from first sketch to approved sample

• Print and pattern design: hand-drawn watercolor and graphic prints, full repeats, and colorways

• Brand and collection consulting: seasonal direction and creative strategy for founders and growing brands

Shell-o! I Love Mail

Outside client work, I run Shell-o! I Love Mail, my snail mail club. I create original watercolor paintings and graphic prints inspired by the ocean and travel, and send them out as mail. It’s a small way to keep my love of color, coastal art, and paper alive, and it’s part of how I think about brand storytelling.

Beyond The Studio

When I’m not sketching prints or building tech packs, you’ll find me outdoors, spending time with my family, or dreaming up my next coastal-inspired collection.

I’m open to freelance projects, licensing, contract work, and full-time design roles.

Let’s create something beautiful together.