At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to design stylish woven dresses and tops while managing projects and trends.
- Company: WYSE London is a growing fashion brand focused on innovative and cohesive designs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team, influence fashion trends, and make a mark in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in womenswear design, team management, and a strong eye for detail required.
- Other info: Submit your portfolio and tech pack examples with your application to be considered.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
Position description:
WYSE London is going through a phase of growth and is looking for the best talent to join our small but dynamic team on this exciting journey.
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Design Manager who will be leading a team of designers to create new, exciting and cohesive ranges as well as own and design the Woven Dresses & Tops ranges.
Working closely with the Founder, the role will execute her vision while identifying trends and opportunities to push the range forwards. You will have an excellent eye for detail, colour and print and will be able to deliver your own ranges as well as bring together the ranges of the rest of the team.
Key responsibilities:
MANAGERIAL
- Managing team with diverse skill sets
- Hold regular 1-2-1’s with direct reports
- Setting clear goals and expectations
- Leading by example with high levels of integrity, energy and passion
- Maintain key dates and critical path
- Responsible for any recruitment across the team
- Mange freelancers/consultants where needed for specific ranges/categories
CONCEPT
- Continual development and evolution of the brand vision
- Create and build initial design stories/concepts at the start of the season with the support of designers and sign off with the founder
- Identify trends which are customer and brand relevant.
- Collaborate with the wider team to pull together key outfit pages and stories which are tasteful, creative and cohesive.
- Confident eye for print, work closely with print designer to identify key prints and colour stories at start of season. Attend print development meetings with print designer and Founder
- Build relevant, on-trend and complimentary colour palettes for each drop which cater for printed styles as well as solid garments
- Present product ranges back to marketing and store teams, communicating the vision for each season
- Work closely with stylists, Creative Director and marketing team to ensure that shoots, catalogues and marketing activity is in line with vision and key stories.
PRODUCT
- Research, design and develop the woven dresses and tops range. Work closely with buying, merch and tech teams to deliver beautiful, commercial ranges delivered on time that fit and flatter.
- To deliver newness and modernity to the collection while keeping the customer at the heart of all decisions.
- To work autonomously with our supply base on direction, fabric sourcing and block development
- Lead technical fittings with the support of a garment tech, to reach a commercial, high quality and aesthetically beautiful product. Build on core blocks where possible and respond to customer feedback to lower returns rates.
- Technical knowledge of fabrics for your areas, focusing on quality, drape and sustainability. Send out sourcing packs at the start of season to suppliers and mills and attend trade fairs where possible.
- Produce tech packs, clearly spec’d with all measurements (can be Cadded or hand drawn)
- Holistically plan the progression of your collection through the season, ensuring the appropriate product is designed for the time of the year
- Lead dress and tops range build meetings alongside Product Director/Buying teams
- Constantly re-review ranges to ensure that you are reacting to customer feedback/lessons learnt and micro and macro trends
- Able to trade in season and respond to sales, identify opportunities for new options/styles based on successes as well as minimising risks.
Knowledge / Skills:
- Substantial experience as womenswear woven dresses and tops designer.
- Experience managing a team.
- Premium to luxury background
- Fully understand technical garment and pattern construction
- High end taste level with a commercial eye
- Broad industry and competitor awareness
- Excellent commercial handwriting with a strong eye for colour, proportion and detail
- A team player who can work across multiple product areas and to tight deadlines
- Brings passion and enthusiasm into the work dynamic
- Strong work ethic, integrity and reliability with a hands-on attitude
- Ability to build a cohesive range that is both premium in quality and commercial
- Proficiency in Illustrator is preferential
- The ability to set up own tech packs with all spec measurements
- A flexible, positive and collaborative mindset with a great passion for design
- Confident at presenting and communicating ideas in a clear and concise way.
Please submit a link to your portfolio or examples of your work with your application along with an example of a tech pack. Applications can only be considered when submitted with these.
Design Manager & Woven Dresses/Tops Designer 12 month FTC employer: WYSE London
Contact Detail:
WYSE London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager & Woven Dresses/Tops Designer 12 month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with WYSE London's brand identity and current collections. Understanding their aesthetic will help you align your design ideas with their vision, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the fashion industry, especially with professionals who have experience in woven dresses and tops. Attend relevant events or trade fairs to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous design projects in detail during interviews. Highlight how you've successfully managed teams and delivered cohesive collections that resonate with customers.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your technical skills by bringing a well-prepared tech pack to the interview. This demonstrates your understanding of garment construction and your ability to communicate design specifications effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager & Woven Dresses/Tops Designer 12 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Design Manager & Woven Dresses/Tops Designer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills to tailor your application accordingly.
Showcase Your Experience: Highlight your relevant experience in womenswear design, particularly with woven dresses and tops. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your managerial skills and design expertise.
Include a Portfolio: As requested, include a link to your portfolio showcasing your best work. Make sure it reflects your design style and includes examples of tech packs you've created, as this is crucial for the application.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the qualities WYSE London is looking for. Emphasise your ability to lead a team, your eye for detail, and your understanding of current trends in fashion.
How to prepare for a job interview at WYSE London
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work, especially in woven dresses and tops. Be prepared to discuss the design process behind each piece and how it aligns with current trends.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, including how you set goals, provided feedback, and fostered collaboration.
✨Understand the Brand Vision
Research WYSE London thoroughly before the interview. Understand their brand ethos, recent collections, and target audience. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision and push the range forward.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about technical garment construction and fabric knowledge. Brush up on your understanding of different materials, drape, and sustainability practices, as these are crucial for the role.