At a Glance
- Tasks: Design stunning womenswear collections and collaborate with a creative team.
- Company: Join De La Vali, an exciting emerging fashion brand rooted in Ibiza's bohemian spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous staff allowance, discounts, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with real opportunities for growth and impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing brand that empowers women and champions creativity.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in luxury design, strong commercial awareness, and expertise in garment construction.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
De La Vali is one of the UK’s most exciting emerging womenswear brands. Founded in Ibiza in 2017, the brand has evolved from a cult favourite into a fast-growing international fashion brand. Creative Director Jana Sascha divides her time between London, where the headquarters sits, and Ibiza, the island that shaped her upbringing and continues to influence every collection. Rooted in the hedonistic, bohemian spirit of Ibiza and the warmth of Spanish culture, De La Vali creates romantic, eclectic and free-spirited womenswear. The brand is a love letter to the island and to its muse Vali Myers, a true bohemian and artistic force whose untamed spirit inspires the De La Vali woman.
Today the brand is scaling rapidly with a global stockist network, a growing direct-to-consumer presence and a clear vision for expansion. From celebrity red-carpet moments and editorial features, to strategic partnerships and international growth, De La Vali has built a strong foundation for the next phase of its journey. Joining De La Vali means being part of a creative, ambitious and collaborative team that champions femininity, individuality and expression. The brand designs to empower women to feel their most beautiful, confident selves and is now extending that same spirit into building its internal culture. With new roles opening across the business, this is an exciting moment to be part of a thriving fashion brand on the rise. Candidates with passion, fresh thinking and a love for distinctive design will find real opportunity to grow and make an impact at De La Vali.
About the Role
An exciting opportunity for a womenswear designer to contribute to the continued growth and creative vision of De La Vali has arisen. This role works closely with the Creative Director/Founder, playing a central part in the development of seasonal collections from concept through to production. The successful candidate will be highly organised, able to multi-task across several projects and confident in managing and following the critical path to ensure deadlines are met. They will bring strong commercial awareness alongside exceptional creative ability, helping to elevate the brand’s distinctive aesthetic while supporting its global expansion.
Key Responsibilities:
- Creative Development
- Work in close partnership with the Creative Director to interpret and develop the seasonal concept, silhouettes, fabric direction and colour & print direction into distinctive, elevated collections.
- Design across all categories - woven, jersey, knitwear, leather - to create a complete wardrobe offering.
- Responsible for the oversight of capsule and exclusive projects (including collaborations, exclusive requests & bridal), ensuring alignment with the brand vision and timeline.
- Product Development & Collection Process
- Manage the complete design lifecycle, including initial research, sketching, sampling, fittings, and final sign-off.
- Translate sketches into detailed technical CADS clearly proposing proportion, detail & fit.
- Ensure the technical accuracy, clarity, and production feasibility of all design handovers for both internal teams and external production partners.
- Create accurate sampling-ready tech packs with clear construction and finishing instructions, and ensure all tech packs and the development folder are finalised and handed over to Production after final order books.
- Manage daily communication with factories on all development and design topics, including fabric sourcing, testing new materials, and tracking proto samples to ensure SMS in-hand dates are met.
- Lead the design and research of surface textures, including embroidery and embellishment, and translate these into clear tech packs for factories and manage the print design & development process, including strike-off and lab dip approvals, in line with the critical path.
- Drive Range Review meetings within the designated timeframe, ensuring the agenda is circulated beforehand and the updated Range Plan is shared afterward.
- Attend development fittings, ensuring comments are communicated to the factory on time and in line with the critical path.
- Work with external freelancers on collection development, overseeing workloads to ensure clear outputs and timely delivery in line with the critical path, and assist with photoshoots and styling as required.
- Team Collaboration
- Collaborate with the Head of Brand & Sales as well as the Head of Product to align creative intent with commercial opportunity.
- Partner with the Head of Product and Pattern Cutters on construction, finishing, and technique development.
- Actively participate in all development fittings, providing input and guidance to ensure that both creative vision and technical standards are maintained and achieved at every stage of the development process.
- Leadership & Culture
- Champion creativity, foster teamwork, and uphold process discipline to drive excellence within the studio.
- Provide mentorship and inspiration to junior staff, supporting their growth and development to consistently reach the highest creative and technical standards.
- Work alongside the Head of Product and production team to guide the seasonal critical path and ensure all collection milestones are met.
Candidate Profile
- 5+ years’ experience in luxury & premium design, with a strong background in full wardrobe collections.
- Proven ability to balance creativity with commercial objectives and margin targets.
- Expertise in garment construction, fabric development, and finishings.
- Expert in Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop and proficient in excel.
- Collaborative, positive, and highly organised team player who excels in fast-paced environments with a ‘CAN DO” attitude.
Benefits
- Competitive salary (based on experience)
- Generous staff allowance per season
- Staff discount on collections
- 25 days holiday per annum (plus bank holidays)
- Opportunity to be part of a growing womenswear brand
- A creative and collaborative working environment
To Apply:
Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the brand to: careers@delavali.com
This is a truly exciting moment to join the brand. Following significant growth over the past 18 months, the business is entering a pivotal phase of expansion with a strong and ambitious year ahead.
Womenswear Designer in London employer: De La Vali
De La Vali is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. Located in London, the brand offers unique opportunities for professional growth within the dynamic fashion industry, allowing employees to contribute to a rapidly expanding international brand while embracing the bohemian spirit of Ibiza. Joining De La Vali means being part of a passionate team dedicated to empowering women through distinctive design, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Womenswear Designer in London
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like De La Vali!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including De La Vali.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for De La Vali.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at De La Vali!
We think you need these skills to ace Womenswear Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at De La Vali.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to De La Vali!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at De La Vali. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at De La Vali
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!