At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative direction for women's and kids' accessories, driving growth in wholesale.
- Company: Dynamic fashion brand focused on innovative design and commercial success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65k, one WFH day a week, and vibrant London office culture.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for creativity and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape trends and create impactful products that resonate with retail partners.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in product-led design, strong wholesale experience, and team leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
As Head of Design, you will lead the creative and trend direction of their wholesale business across both branded and white-label collections for women's and kids' products. This is a product-led, commercially focused role where you will define what we create for our retail partners. You will set the trend vision, build ranges that work across different retailers and markets, and ensure we consistently deliver products that are both design-led and commercially strong. You will collaborate closely with our D2C teams to leverage customer insight, but the primary focus is on driving growth across wholesale.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead trend direction across all wholesale categories, including accessories, tech and apparel
- Set seasonal colour palettes, prints, graphics and key product stories
- Translate trends and consumer insight into a commercially viable product
- Identify new product opportunities and categories
- Oversee the development of all wholesale ranges from concept to final product
- Build collections tailored to different retailers, customers and price points
- Balance branded and white-label products across key accounts
- Present concepts and ranges to retail partners
- Work closely with Buying, Merchandising and Sales to deliver commercially successful ranges
- Align product with trading calendars and partner requirements
- Use D2C insight to inform product direction where relevant
About You
- 8+ years' experience in a product-led creative, design or buying role
- Strong experience developing products for wholesale retailers
- Proven track record in building commercially successful, trend-led ranges
- Deep understanding of multi-category product, ideally accessories and apparel
- Strong commercial mindset and ability to work across multiple partners
- Experience leading teams and presenting to buyers
Nice to Have
- Experience across both branded and white-label
- International wholesale experience, particularly US
- Background in fast-paced, trend-led businesses
Head of Design - Accesories in London employer: Make It Happen Recruitment
As a leading player in the accessories market, this company offers an inspiring work environment where creativity meets commercial success. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, you will thrive in a culture that values innovation and insight-driven design. Enjoy the flexibility of one work-from-home day per week while being part of a dynamic team in their vibrant London office, where your contributions directly impact the wholesale business and retail partnerships.
Contact Details:
Make It Happen Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design - Accesories in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage with potential employers on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with the role of Head of Design. We recommend tailoring your portfolio to showcase your experience in both branded and white-label collections.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and their products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals. We want you to impress them with your knowledge and passion for trend-led design!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who can drive growth and innovation in our wholesale business.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design - Accesories in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Flair:When you're crafting your application, let your creativity shine through! Use engaging language and showcase your design skills right from the start. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can lead trend direction, so make sure your passion for design is evident.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in product-led roles, especially in wholesale. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t be shy about detailing your successes in building commercially viable ranges and working with retail partners.
Be Commercially Savvy:Since this role is all about driving growth, it’s crucial to demonstrate your commercial mindset. Share examples of how you’ve successfully balanced branded and white-label products, and how you've used consumer insights to inform your design decisions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make It Happen Recruitment
✨Know Your Trends
As a Head of Design, it's crucial to be on top of the latest trends. Research current and upcoming trends in accessories, tech, and apparel. Bring examples of how you've successfully translated trends into commercially viable products in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Range Development Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in developing wholesale ranges from concept to final product. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate how you tailored collections for different retailers and price points, highlighting your ability to balance branded and white-label products.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role requires close collaboration with various teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with Buying, Merchandising, and Sales to deliver successful ranges. Emphasise your communication skills and how you align product development with trading calendars.
✨Present with Confidence
You'll need to present concepts and ranges to retail partners, so practice your presentation skills. Prepare a mock presentation of a collection you've developed, focusing on how it meets market needs and drives growth. Confidence in your delivery can make a huge difference!
