At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of luxury ready-to-wear collections and mentor junior designers.
- Company: Distinctive British luxury fashion house with a rich creative heritage.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape a brand's future and work in a dynamic, creative environment.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in redefining luxury fashion and make your mark on a renowned brand.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in luxury RTW design with strong commercial awareness and technical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative studio atmosphere with a focus on creativity and craftsmanship.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Mode Executive is collaborating with a distinctive British luxury fashion house in their search for a Head of Design. This is a pivotal role at an exciting time of renewal for the brand, as it enters a new era that honours its iconic creative DNA while redefining its relevance in today’s luxury landscape. Partnering closely with the Creative Director and CEO, the Head of Design will help shape the brand’s next chapter – translating artistic vision into modern, coherent, and commercially successful collections. This is a rare opportunity for a highly experienced luxury RTW designer to play a central role in reimagining one of Britain’s most distinctive fashion houses.
The Role:
- Partner with the Creative Director to interpret seasonal concepts, silhouettes, and colour directions into elevated ready-to-wear collections.
- Design across all categories (outerwear, tailoring, daywear, eveningwear, knitwear, separates) to create a complete wardrobe offering.
- Balance creativity with commercial viability, ensuring design excellence supports both brand DNA and business goals.
- Lead the end-to-end design process from research and sketching through fittings, sampling, and final sign-off.
- Introduce structure and efficiency to the design process, improving communication between design, atelier, and product development.
- Ensure technical accuracy and feasibility of design handovers for internal and external partners.
- Collaborate with PD, sales, and merchandising on range planning, pricing, and fabric strategy.
- Participate in fittings, partnering with Atelier to maintain the highest standards of construction and finish.
- Oversee capsule and exclusive projects (bridal, collaborations, VIP), ensuring creative alignment.
- Mentor junior designers, fostering creativity, teamwork, and discipline within the studio.
Requirements:
- 8–10 years’ experience in luxury ready-to-wear design, ideally across full wardrobe collections (not only evening/occasion).
- Strong ability to balance creativity with commercial awareness and margin goals.
- Deep technical knowledge of garment construction, fabric development, and finishing.
- Proven experience bringing clarity, process, and accountability into design workflows.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- A collaborative, highly organised team player who thrives in fast-paced studio environments.
- Passionate about silhouette, craftsmanship, and the evolution of contemporary luxury.
Please note: Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback at this stage. Successful applicants will be contacted in due course. To apply, please send your CV to executive@modesearch.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
Head of Design - Luxury RTW Brand employer: Mode Executive
Contact Detail:
Mode Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design - Luxury RTW Brand
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend fashion events, and engage with design communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your creative process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the brand inside out. Understand their aesthetic, recent collections, and market position. This will help you tailor your responses and show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design - Luxury RTW Brand
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design: When you're crafting your application, let your love for luxury fashion shine through! Share specific examples of your design work that reflect your unique style and how it aligns with the brand's DNA.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in luxury ready-to-wear design. Focus on your achievements and how you've successfully balanced creativity with commercial viability in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance. We love a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mode Executive
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the brand's history, values, and recent collections. Understand their creative DNA and how it aligns with current luxury trends. This knowledge will help you articulate how your vision can contribute to their next chapter.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be prepared to discuss your design process in detail. Highlight how you balance creativity with commercial viability, and share examples of past projects where you've successfully led the end-to-end design process. This will demonstrate your ability to translate artistic vision into commercially successful collections.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Given the technical nature of the role, brush up on garment construction, fabric development, and finishing techniques. Be ready to discuss how you ensure technical accuracy in your designs and how you collaborate with other teams to maintain high standards.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership
As a Head of Design, you'll need to mentor junior designers and foster teamwork. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a fast-paced environment, and be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration with other departments like product development and sales.