Part time Fabric Product Developer

Emilia Wickstead is currently recruiting for a Part time Fabric Product Developer.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Fabric Development

• Collaborate with designers to translate creative concepts into physical textiles.
• Research and source new fabrics, finishes, and techniques from mills and suppliers globally.
• Develop exclusive textiles, including prints, jacquards, embroideries, and fabric treatments, tailored to seasonal collections, ensuring fabrics are kept within price range.

Material Sourcing & Supplier Liaison

• Build and maintain relationships with luxury mills, weavers, and suppliers.
• Negotiate lead times, minimum order quantities, and costs while upholding luxury quality standards.
• Ensure traceability and compliance with sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Embroidery

• Source materials (threads, beads, sequins, and other embellishments) from high-quality suppliers and order all selected articles for sampling of RTW & Pre-Co.
• Build and maintain relationships with embroidery suppliers in INDIA & local UK agents.
• Source embroidery components needed to fulfill Bespoke and MTO orders.

Quality Control & Testing

• Perform quality checks on fabrics for durability, hand feel, and color accuracy.
• Collaborate with technical teams to ensure textiles meet performance standards for various garment types (e.g., eveningwear, outerwear).
• Address and troubleshoot issues such as shrinkage, pilling, and dye consistency.

Collaboration with Design & Production Teams

• Act as a link between the design team and manufacturers, ensuring fabrics align with design sketches and prototypes.
• Assist with material costing and provide insights into budgetary constraints during the design phase.
• Prepare and distribute fabric swatch sheets and specifications for production.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Stay updated on advancements in sustainable and innovative textiles, such as recycled fibers, biodegradable materials, and smart textiles.
• Propose eco-conscious alternatives that maintain luxury quality.

Skills & Qualifications:

Technical Skills

• In-depth knowledge of fabric construction, properties, and finishing techniques (e.g., weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing).
• Familiarity with industry standards for textile testing and compliance.

Software Proficiency

• Proficient in fabric specification software and databases (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Excel, PLM systems).

Experience & Education

• A degree in textiles, fashion design, or a related field.
• 3-5+ years of experience in fabric development, ideally in a luxury fashion environment.

Additional Information:

3 days in the office.

Please specify in a covering letter your salary expectations and confirm that you have the right to work without restriction in the UK.

Thank you for your application. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of your application, unfortunately, you have not been shortlisted.