At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design process for luxury women's fashion collections and inspire a creative team.
- Company: Join Emilia Wickstead, a dynamic brand known for its innovative and stylish designs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative atmosphere with a focus on creativity and strategic development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the luxury fashion industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in womenswear design, strong leadership, and communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are looking for an exceptional creative team player who enjoys making a difference in a small and entrepreneurial environment and who, alongside the Creative Director, is able to advance our collections. This candidate will head the Design Team at Emilia Wickstead and step in for the Creative Director whenever required. They will be responsible for 4 main collections per year, capsule collections, as well as all other product development streams. They will therefore work closely with the rest of the Design Team, Product Development, and Commercial on the product strategy, development and design of all Emilia Wickstead lines. The role will also be responsible for ensuring that each collection is brought to market in a timely and profitable manner.
A background in commercial, product-led design is required as well as an ability to create and develop original initial design ideas. This leader will inspire and develop the design team to enable high performance, both in quality and quantity, of aesthetically relevant creative outputs as well as collaborate and productively partner with cross-functional peers.
Responsibilities:
- Creative Design: Lead the entire design process, ensuring that designs are in keeping with the brand's DNA and meet the approval of the creative director. This includes managing the creative process from start to finish: defining concepts and inspirations; researching themes, colours, and fabrics; conducting market research; designing and sketching; draping and leading the sample room from first toile to final sample. Produce research, sketches, draping and construction pages for all designs, as well as creating presentation boards. Create and develop mood boards and original inspiration themes for seasonal collections. Leading fitting in development, production and show. Collaborate with Atelier and problem solve where necessary. Creative advisory on shoots and shows.
- Business and strategic: Ensure critical path deadlines are maintained, working closely with the Commercial Director and Leadership Team. Prepare/manage and present at milestone meetings (internal/external). Implement the company's strategic guidelines. Manage suppliers and budgets.
- Leadership: Lead, motivate, coach and develop a small design team. Set, manage and review daily, weekly and quarterly team objectives to ensure they align to the creative and organisational strategic plan. Lead bi-weekly meetings with the Design team. Sourcing and employ freelancers and external support partners where required. One to one directing and guiding individual designer’s work.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience as a Womenswear Senior Designer.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, able to manage a small team and communicate frequently and accurately with the rest of the business.
- A self-starter, able to delegate where appropriate.
- Confidence and resilience to work closely with and support the Creative Director in the creative process, standing in for her whenever required.
- Strong brand understanding and luxury sensibility.
- Ability to work well under pressure, multi-task and meet critical deadlines that impact the overall business.
- Ability to work cross-functionally, building strong relationships with other departments.
- Experience in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel and Office Suite.
Design Director - Women's Luxury Fashion employer: Emilia Wickstead
Emilia Wickstead is an exceptional employer that values meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, making it a perfect fit for those passionate about luxury retail. With a supportive work culture that encourages personal growth and development, employees benefit from hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment while being part of a prestigious brand known for its commitment to quality. Located in the heart of the fashion industry, this role offers unique opportunities to engage with high-profile events and collaborations, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Director - Women's Luxury Fashion
✨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 Emilia Wickstead!
✨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 Emilia Wickstead.
✨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 Emilia Wickstead.
✨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 Emilia Wickstead!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Director - Women's Luxury Fashion
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 Emilia Wickstead.
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 Emilia Wickstead!
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 Emilia Wickstead. 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 Emilia Wickstead
✨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!
