Fabric Developer

Role Overview: Fabric Design, Research and Development

Co-Lead the design and development process of all VBL Collection and Core fabrics

Reporting to: Senior Fabric Developer & Buyer

Location: Hammersmith, London

Responsibilities:

Fabric Design, Research & Development

• Attend regular fabric creative research, development, FTS and fit meetings with Design Director and Design team
• Research and source new mills and suppliers for all fabrics according to seasonal briefs; continue to build and maintain strong partnerships with mills & textile agents
• Prepare the inspiration and directional fabric mood with presentation boards
• Create and develop all collection and core fabrics per VBL brief and Design Director’s requests ensuring prices, MOQ and lead times align with commercial viability
• Liaise daily with mills to launch and track fabric developments, trials, colour lab dips, colour corrections and sampling, ensuring quality standards and deadlines are maintained
• Maintain the print and texture developments with up-to-date boards & folders
• Maintain FTS analysis to ensure fabric usage and balance relates to sampling use, production friendly minimums and follows merchandisers request
• Attend fabric sourcing appointments in house, at mills and trade fairs as necessary
• Communicate fabric related information to design, product development, studio, merchandising and production teams using tracker overview
• Zedonk data entry for all fabric raw materials and developments per season
• Maintain up to date seasonal fabric development budgets as per Managers request
• Prepare all final fabric trackers, overviews and fabric reference binder for clear and accurate production ready handover
• Monitor and maintain seasonal fabric stock levels both in-house and with mills
• Manage the seasonal upkeep of all fabric archives
• Maintain clear and accurate fabric rails labelled for all meetings
• Help keep fabric rolls organized, tidy and labelled in studio

Production

• Collaborate with Production team regularly, communicating developments of seasonal fabrics to ensure smooth transition from development to production.
• Advise Production team on any fabric bulk approvals when necessary.

Essential Skills & Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of fabrics and construction
• Ability to maintain strong communicative relationships with all suppliers
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving and time management skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet critical deadlines
• Proactive approach and self-motivated nature with the ability to prioritise and work independently
• Strong, creative and meticulous eye for detail
• Positive attitude and flexible, adaptable approach to all tasks at hand