Role Overview:
Brand is seeking a highly creative, experienced, and visionary Chef Designer to lead our Woven category. This pivotal role will be responsible for defining the creative direction, developing innovative and commercially successful woven collections (including dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers, outerwear, etc.), and ensuring the brand's aesthetic is consistently reflected across all woven products. The Chef Designer will lead a team of designers and work closely with merchandising, production, and marketing teams to bring their creative vision to life.
Responsibilities:
- Creative Vision & Direction:
- Define and articulate the seasonal creative vision and design direction for the Woven category, aligning with the overall brand strategy and market trends.
- Conduct in-depth trend research and analysis (fashion shows, market analysis, competitor analysis) to identify key silhouettes, fabrics, colors, and details relevant to the brand and target consumer.
- Translate trend research into innovative and commercially viable design concepts.
- Develop and present seasonal mood boards, sketches, and design proposals to senior management and cross-functional teams.
- Design & Development:
- Oversee the entire design process from initial concept to final sample approval, ensuring design integrity and brand consistency.
- Create detailed technical sketches, specifications, and construction details for garment production.
- Select and approve fabrics, trims, and embellishments in collaboration with the sourcing team.
- Lead and mentor a team of woven designers, providing creative guidance, feedback, and support for their professional development.
- Manage the workload and deadlines of the design team to ensure timely completion of seasonal collections.
- Collaboration & Communication:
- Collaborate closely with the Merchandising team to understand market needs, pricing strategies, and sales performance to inform design decisions.
- Partner with the Production team to ensure designs are feasible for manufacturing, meet quality standards, and adhere to cost targets.
- Work with the Marketing team to align design concepts with seasonal campaigns and brand messaging.
- Present collections to internal teams, buyers, and other stakeholders.
- Market Awareness & Innovation:
- Stay abreast of emerging fashion trends, new technologies, and innovative materials within the woven category.
- Identify opportunities for product innovation and differentiation within the brand's woven offerings.
- Participate in relevant industry events and trade shows to gain inspiration and market insights.
- Team Leadership & Management:
- Build, lead, and motivate a high-performing woven design team.
- Foster a collaborative and creative work environment.
- Conduct performance reviews and provide ongoing feedback and coaching to team members.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in women's woven apparel design, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
- Proven track record of developing commercially successful and aesthetically aligned woven collections for a contemporary fashion brand.
- Strong understanding of garment construction, pattern making, draping, and technical specifications.
- Excellent knowledge of fabrics, trims, and manufacturing processes for woven garments.
- Exceptional sketching and CAD skills (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop).
- Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong business acumen and understanding of market trends and consumer behavior.
- Proficiency in English is essential; Mandarin language skills are highly advantageous.
