Senior Designer - Lead

PURPOSE OF ROLE

Reporting into the Head of Product, this role involves working directly with the Creative Director to support the vision of the brand. The right candidate will offer inspiring research, develop new and innovative techniques, be experienced at draping designs and be detail oriented. They will provide well rounded sketches and lead the day-to-day creative process of building the collection for the season, as well as leading juniors and interns on their daily tasks.

The right candidate will have experience across both luxury and commercial brands, having a keen eye for industry developments and trends but through a commercial lens, understanding the business needs to develop a commercial collection. They will be responsible for bringing creative strength and newness to each collection, whilst keeping the 16Arlington handwriting at the core of all design output. They will be able to balance Design Team deliverables spanning RTW woven and knit collections, accessories, exclusives capsules and customs, as well as ad hoc projects arising throughout the season.

This role requires working closely with the Collection Team (Atelier & Product Development) to ensure timely and clear design handovers in line with the Critical Path, as well as regular meetings with the Sales team to ensure feedback and business needs are considered during the design process.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Confidently respond to briefs set by the Creative Director, including seasonal concepts, research on themes, colour palettes, fabrics, mood boards and shape references
• Initiate original drapes and sketches, following season brief
• Inspire and develop the design team, ensuring collection development is on time and tasks are aligned to the final goal
• Experience in presenting to key stakeholders across the business, clearly explaining design direction and inspiration
• Experience working with an in-house Atelier and Product Development team, ensuring all information needed by these teams is handing over in line with the critical path
• Lead weekly fits across development and production; offer solutions and creatively problem solve any issues which may arise ahead of production. Ensure product integrity is respected and can be produced in bulk production
• Design into the Range Plan set by the 16Arlington Team, ensuring all needs regarding cost targets, fabric bases and silhouettes are met within the range
• Responsible for maintenance of collection boards, ensuring all updates and changes are captured in a timely manner
• Initiate elevated finishings, trims, fabric and embroidery research and techniques
• Responsible for CAD drawings and renders of all approved designs, managing the Design Team to deliver this
• Responsible for ensuring efficiencies within the Design Team
• Continue to build and ensure, with the Development Team, that the core shape library is developed and in line with the needs of the business
• Drive out of season long lead time developments, with a forward thinking approach
• Ad hoc duties as directed by the Creative Director

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• 5-7 years of experience in a similar role in the fashion luxury industry
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion design is mandatory
• Experience in leading and managing a team
• Excellent free-hand drawing skills
• Excellent use and knowledge of Adobe Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign
• Knowledge and experience of CLO 3D or similar CAD software is a plus
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and keep to strict deadlines
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt to a fast-paced ever-changing environment
• Fluent in English both written and spoken, this will be tested in the interview process
• Understanding and alignment with the 16Arlington aesthetic

Note:

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the job. They are not construed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Based in London, the company culture is dynamic and entrepreneurial but with a strategic vision. The culture of this fast-growing brand requires strong organisational skills, team players, good communication skills, a “Can Do” and 360 approach.