Fashion Design Manager

About the role:

Reporting into the Head of Design, the Design Manager plays a pivotale role in leading the creative direction of collections, ensuring brand consistency across all ranges. This role works cross-functionally with key departments, including buying, marketing, and garment technology - to drive commercial success while mentoring and developing junior members of the design team.

Your Responsibilities:

·        Provide creative direction and leadership for the Design team, guiding and inspiring them to achieve the brand's vision.

·        Conceptualise and develop cohesive design concepts, themes, and narratives for each collection.

·        Collaborate closely with the Head of Design to align each collections with the brand's overall creative direction and vision.

·        Oversee the end-to-end design process, from initial sketches to final production, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality collections.

·        Partner with the Buying & Merchandising teams to understand market research and trend analysis to identify emerging themes, styles, and consumer preferences.

·        Translate trends and market insights into innovative and commercially viable design concepts that resonate with our target audience.

·        Partner with the Creative and Marketing teams to support seasonal concept development, including shoot concepts and storytelling

·        Approve final line-ups, ensuring product range aligns with customer needs and commercial objectives

·        Evaluate market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity to drive future design strategies and direction

·        Lead high-level supplier relationships and negotiate key developments independently

·        Oversee collection planning, ensuring design workstreams align with critical path and business priorities

·        Mentor and develop junior designers, providing guidance on both creative and technical aspects

·        Collaborate with senior members (Buying, Marketing, Merchandising) to align creative direction

·        Lead design reviews and present collections to leadership with clear rationale and vision

·        React strategically to trade and performance feedback, driving quick-turn updates or edits to enhance sell-through