Design Manager - Luxury Fashion

Design Manager / Head of Design – Luxury Fashion

Mode Search is partnering with an established British luxury house to appoint a Design Manager / Head of Design to lead the creative direction of its mainline collections. This newly created position presents an exciting opportunity to join a heritage luxury business at a pivotal stage of its evolution. Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, quality and timeless aesthetic, the brand is entering an ambitious phase of international growth, offering the successful individual significant creative influence and long-term career progression.

Reporting directly to the Creative Director, the successful candidate will take ownership of the design function, leading a multidisciplinary team and working closely with Production and wider product teams to deliver sophisticated, cohesive and commercially relevant collections.

This is a UK-based opportunity, with visa sponsorship available for the right candidate.

The Role

• Lead the creative direction and development of the brand’s mainline collections across ready-to-wear, tailoring and knitwear.
• Manage, inspire and develop a multidisciplinary design team, establishing a clear creative vision across seasonal collections and additional product categories.
• Define and refine the collection aesthetic, ensuring a consistent approach to silhouette, proportion, fabrication, colour and detail.
• Balance the brand’s rich heritage and established design codes with a contemporary perspective on understated luxury.
• Partner closely with the Creative Director, Head of Production and wider product teams to translate creative concepts into exceptional, commercially considered collections.
• Draw inspiration from the brand’s extensive archive, specialist craftsmanship and manufacturing expertise to drive product innovation and creative development.
• Play an integral role in shaping the brand’s future creative identity and supporting its continued international expansion.

The Candidate:

• An accomplished luxury fashion designer or established design leader with a sophisticated aesthetic and strong creative vision.
• Extensive experience within luxury or high-end ready-to-wear, with the ability to develop and oversee cohesive collections across multiple categories.
• A refined understanding of understated, timeless luxury, with exceptional attention to fabrication, colour, proportion, construction and detail.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing design teams, with the confidence to provide clear creative direction.
• Strong technical knowledge of luxury product development, garment construction, materials and craftsmanship.
• A collaborative, commercially aware approach, with the ability to balance creative ambition with product excellence.
• Backgrounds in either MW or WW will be considered.
• Must be open to regular travel within the UK
• Currently based in the UK or open to relocation, with visa sponsorship available for the right individual.

Please note that due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback at this stage. Successful applicants will be contacted in due course.