Design Director
Now Hiring | Australian Premium Fashion | Sydney
The Brand |
Locally produced in Australia – this brand is privately owned and part of a wider successful fashion group. They design for a modern woman, with a focus on tailored pieces, innovative, elevated design and stunning craftmanship.
The Role |
This role will oversee all aspects of the design process end to end – concept through to production – while collaborating with key departments including marketing to ensure that the brand meets the vision and set standards.
In collaboration with the Design team define the seasonal design direction with a strong focus on soft silhouettes of dresses and tops, Including inspiration, colour, print, fabric and key categories.
Lead fabric selection and development for the entire collection, ensuring fabric drives design.
Work closely with the knitwear department to ensure cohesive integration across collections.
Develop unique and distinctive collections that align with the brand's identity and handwriting, while ensuring a cohesive design approach across all products by collaborating with the design team to define the seasonal direction, including inspiration, color, print, fabric, key categories, and silhouettes.
Research and develop new print and fabric ideas, regularly liaising with print studios and fabric mills to maintain the uniqueness of the brand.
Set and manage the colour direction for month. Lead colour sign-off meetings through lab dip requests and approvals.
Oversee all aspects of sample production, including fittings, ensuring high standards of fit, workmanship, and trim quality in conjunction with the pattern room team.
Lead and direct weekly design meetings, ensuring the team follows the critical path, pushing for continuous improvement in pattern blocks to remain relevant and fresh.
Ensure all design and pattern room activities align with commercial cost targets in conjunction with production
Partner with the Head of Marketing & Digital and the Art Director to influence the creative direction for seasonal campaigns, setting the tone and mood for each collection.
Lead the design and pattern room teams, ensuring they work efficiently, meet deadlines, and stay aligned with the brand’s commercial and quality objectives.
Bring in-depth knowledge of fit and ensure it is applied through collaboration with the pattern room.
Travel overseas as needed to gather inspiration and conduct research on trends, fabrics, and silhouettes for upcoming collections.
The Skillset |
Significant leadership experience as a Design Director or Head of Design within a design led brand
Extensive Experience in Prints and Fabric: Must possess strong expertise in both print design and fabric knowledge
Experience in conception, creating and producing unique design collections that align to brand strategy and engage with the target customer.
Proven ability to lead and mentor design teams, ensuring adherence to deadlines and commercial goals.
The Offer |
Significant salary in line with experience
Staff clothing allowance.
Yearly wellness day.
The Talent Mill Recruitment division is a bespoke recruitment consultancy and talent acquisition specialist within the fashion, lifestyle, and retail industries. With more than 10 years of specialist expertise with luxury retail, Australian & Contemporary designer, beauty, and lifestyle brands globally we discover, recognize, and connect inspiring individuals to the most desirable brands as trusted support to founder-led start-ups, SME’s, and multinational corporations within the fashion & retail industry.
Recruitment – but make it ethical, not transactional. Quality over quantity – always. Truly consultative and delivered at pace. We hold a genuine passion and expertise for the industries we support and offer a unique and modern recruitment proposition – one where we develop long term, meaningful relationships with all stakeholders.