At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of luxury collections, translating vision into commercially successful pieces.
- Company: Distinctive British luxury fashion house with a rich creative heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative freedom, and opportunity to shape a brand's future.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in redefining luxury fashion and make your mark.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in luxury RTW design with strong commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Mode Search are 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.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Design
Head of Design - Luxury RTW Brand employer: MODE SEARCH Ltd.
Contact Detail:
MODE SEARCH Ltd. 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 fellow designers. We all know that who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know.
✨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 design process and inspirations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the brand inside out. Understand their aesthetic, recent collections, and market position. This will help us demonstrate how your vision aligns with their goals during the chat.
✨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 that extra step to connect with us directly.
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 writing your application, let your love for luxury fashion shine through! Share what inspires you and how your vision aligns with the brand's iconic creative DNA. We want to see your personality and passion reflected in your words.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Make sure your portfolio showcases a range of designs that highlight your experience in luxury ready-to-wear. Include pieces that demonstrate your ability to balance creativity with commercial viability. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can create collections that are not just beautiful but also commercially successful!
Be Clear and Concise: While we love creativity, clarity is key in your written application. Make sure your ideas are communicated effectively and that your design process is easy to follow. This will show us that you can introduce structure and efficiency into the design workflow.
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 it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MODE SEARCH Ltd.
✨Know Your Brand Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the brand's history, its iconic designs, and current collections. Understanding their creative DNA will help you articulate how your vision aligns with theirs, making it easier to discuss how you can contribute to their next chapter.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Be prepared to walk through your design process from concept to final product. Bring a portfolio that highlights not just finished pieces but also sketches, fabric choices, and technical details. This will demonstrate your ability to balance creativity with commercial viability.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with the Creative Director and other teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight how you’ve improved communication and efficiency in design workflows, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Mentorship Matters
As a potential mentor for junior designers, be ready to discuss your approach to fostering creativity and discipline within a team. Share specific instances where you've guided others, as this will show your leadership skills and commitment to nurturing talent.