Head of Womenswear

Head of Womenswear

Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
SALONI

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of stunning womenswear collections and mentor a creative team.
  • Company: Join SALONI, a vibrant womenswear brand known for its unique designs and cultural initiatives.
  • Benefits: Work in a beautiful London location with opportunities for professional growth and immersive training.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while translating visionary concepts into reality.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in luxury fashion with strong leadership and design skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment focused on creativity and technical excellence.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Position: Head of Womenswear

Reporting to: Creative Director

Location: Clerkenwell, Central London

About SALONI

SALONI is a womenswear brand and global creative studio founded in London by Saloni Lodha in 2011. Known for signature shapes, intricate embroideries, and exuberant prints, the brand has developed a multidimensional ecosystem where fashion intersects with cultural initiatives, immersive environments, and artistic collaborations. The company has built a strong international wholesale business (particularly in the USA) and has a successful and growing Direct to Consumer business through its own website.

Position Overview

The Head of Womenswear is a pivotal position at SALONI, serving as the bridge between the Creative Director’s vision and the technical realisation of the collections. This role requires a highly experienced designer and empathetic leader who can translate high-level concepts into commercially sophisticated, beautifully crafted collections across all product categories. The role will balance hands-on design with the mentorship of the in-house team, ensuring that SALONI’s unique DNA is meticulously woven through every collection. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and guiding the design language for the collections and the team.

Application Requirements

  • Show high-level technical skills, including hand-sketching and draping.
  • A considered portfolio.
  • Cover letter.

Key Responsibilities

  • Defining the seasonal line plan for main and pre-collections and leading the design process, garment construction, fabric selection, and fittings.
  • Managing the design team's workflow and the annual design calendar.
  • Leading mid-level and junior designers with research and guiding their technical and creative output.
  • Collaborating on design team recruitment.
  • Communicating directly with the Creative Director, translating her vision into detailed internal briefs and collection architecture.
  • Adhering to the collection assortment strategy, ensuring unique pieces while maintaining core collections to balance elevation and commercial viability.
  • Leading design reviews from initial concept through to final prototype.
  • Maintaining direct and fluid communication with the Creative Director for design sign-offs and strategic pivots.
  • Engaging in commercial meetings to integrate sales feedback into collections and working with sales data for merchandising requirements.
  • Ensuring cohesion across collections and collaborations.
  • Maintaining a studio environment and culture rooted in creative excellence and technical rigour.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Extensive 10+ years’ experience within luxury fashion, with a proven track record of managing design teams through the full product lifecycle.
  • An empathetic designer capable of translating a founder’s overarching vision into actionable results for a wider team.
  • An exceptional eye for detail, fabric, and proportion, with the ability to bridge the gap between creative design and commercial reality.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Proven leadership and team management skills.

Office Environment

Beautiful central London location in Clerkenwell with a passionate team. Immersive brand training and professional development opportunities.

Head of Womenswear employer: SALONI

SALONI is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and creative work environment in the heart of Clerkenwell, Central London. With a strong emphasis on professional development and mentorship, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to beautifully crafted collections that reflect the brand's unique DNA. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and artistic expression, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about luxury fashion.
SALONI

Contact Detail:

SALONI Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Womenswear

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fashion industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! When you land that interview, make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work. Tailor it to showcase pieces that align with SALONI’s aesthetic and values. This is your chance to shine!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your design philosophy and how it aligns with SALONI’s vision. Think about how you can translate high-level concepts into commercially viable collections. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from passionate candidates. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and technical skills in your application to stand out from the crowd.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Womenswear

Hand-Sketching
Draping
Garment Construction
Fabric Selection
Design Process Management
Team Leadership
Creative Direction
Communication Skills
Commercial Viability Understanding
Collection Architecture
Research Guidance
Presentation Skills
Empathy in Design
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially pieces that reflect your understanding of womenswear and the unique DNA of SALONI. We want to see your creativity and technical skills in action!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Womenswear role. Share your passion for fashion, your leadership style, and how you can translate our Creative Director's vision into stunning collections. Keep it personal and engaging!

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in luxury fashion and team management. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so make it relevant!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the SALONI family!

How to prepare for a job interview at SALONI

✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out

Make sure you can talk confidently about every piece in your portfolio. Highlight the thought process behind your designs, especially how they align with SALONI's unique DNA. Be ready to discuss your hand-sketching and draping techniques, as these are crucial for the role.

✨Understand the Brand's Vision

Familiarise yourself with SALONI’s collections and the Creative Director’s vision. Research their signature shapes, intricate embroideries, and exuberant prints. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to the brand's aesthetic and commercial goals during the interview.

✨Prepare for Team Leadership Questions

As a potential leader, be prepared to discuss your experience managing design teams. Think of specific examples where you've mentored junior designers or led a project from concept to final prototype. Show how your empathetic leadership style can foster creativity and technical excellence.

✨Engage with Commercial Insights

Be ready to discuss how you integrate sales feedback into your design process. Understanding the balance between creative vision and commercial viability is key. Bring examples of how you've used sales data to inform your design decisions in past roles.

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