Nancy Montignon
Nancy Montignon is a Senior Technical Designer and Pattern Maker at Reformation, where she has contributed for over four years. Raised in France, Nancy’s career spans both French and American fashion companies, bringing extensive expertise in dresses and occasional wear. She translates design visions into production-ready garments while collaborating closely with outsourced patternmaking partners, ensuring exceptional fit, quality, and refined construction. Her approach to patternmaking is often compared to architecture and sculpting, reflecting her meticulous attention to structure, precision, and creative form.
Active in the fashion industry since 2013, Nancy temporarily stepped away from her career to relocate to the United States and achieve fluency in English, returning with renewed perspective and adaptability. Her experience encompasses woven and knitwear, bridal gown construction, and sustainable fashion initiatives. She is deeply committed to ethical consumption, supporting responsible brands and second-hand shopping, and advocates for sustainable practices throughout her work.
Nancy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Patternmaking and an Associate of Arts in Fashion Marketing, and is fully fluent in French and English. Guided by a philosophy that emphasizes craftsmanship, long-term growth, and continuous learning, she aspires to continue advancing within her current company while potentially launching her own business in the future. Recognized as a detail-oriented, collaborative, and trusted partner, Nancy consistently bridges creative vision and technical excellence to deliver garments of outstanding quality.
• Certificate/Award, English as a Second Language
• Madison Area Technical College - AAS
• Ecole Supérieure Internationale de la Mode - BA Pattern making
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong technical foundation paired with hands-on manufacturing experience, along with persistence and adaptability developed through navigating an international career transition. My work is grounded in a deep attention to detail and a sculptural approach to garment construction, informed by both precision and creativity. I am also willing to step away when necessary—to learn a new language, gain new perspective, and return to my field with greater clarity, resilience, and strength.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to be patient with their journey—pauses and pivots do not erase your expertise. Invest time in learning both the technical and communication sides of the field, as true influence comes from understanding how ideas are built and how they are conveyed. Advocate for sustainable practices and thoughtful production, and trust that mastery is earned through experience, consistency, and care—not speed.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field is currently navigating several key challenges, including coordinating pattern accuracy across global manufacturing teams, maintaining consistent fit and quality control in overseas production, and addressing the broader decline in sustainability practices across the industry. At the same time, there are meaningful opportunities emerging—particularly the growing demand for sustainable and ethical fashion, as well as an increased appreciation for highly skilled pattern makers who can effectively bridge the gap between design intent and production execution.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are craftsmanship, precision, and a commitment to quality. I place strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical responsibility within fashion, believing in long-term growth over short-term gain. Above all, I value personal integrity, resilience, and continuous learning as the foundations for meaningful and lasting impact.