UMENCO is recruiting a tactile and visionary RTW Designer to join the team at a coveted womenswear brand with a cult international following.

This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the Co-Founder Creative Directors and Head Designer on new concepts, trend direction, seasonal themes, and styling – all the time seeking to strengthen the brand’s unique design handwriting; building on the couture inspired techniques that make the brand so special. The talent we seek will have a proven track record of the successful design and execution of ranges whilst upholding a brand DNA. 

The successful talent will have the ability to identify strategic growth opportunities and will present with outstanding technical prowess, utilising hand-touched elements, tactile draping expertise and an innate sense for luxurious finishings to create garments that merge the meticulously beautiful with the effortlessly wearable.

They will conduct ongoing research into global trends and consumer habits and contribute to the seasonal creative direction and colour palette, translating global trends inline with brand philosophy and vision. They will own the design of the seasonal apparel ranges (fabrication, fit, and silhouette) and will design all products in line with the brand’s responsible design and sourcing criteria and values.

They will work within the team to ensure the fit and quality of all products from concept through to bulk production meets brand standards, doing so by constantly leveraging their knowledge of fabric, trims and garment fitting, and making sure that they provide clear fit comments to the relevant factories. They will also ensure that the first specification sheets are clear, concise and that all measurements, design features, and fabric details are well-thought-out.

The talent we seek will present with an expert understanding of Adobe Illustrator, specifically for garment sketching and storyboarding, and an extensive technical knowledge of garment construction, pattern making, and garment alterations. 

They will be responsible for collaborating with the sales channels ensuring complete awareness of sales results, and understanding the consumer engagement with products, fits, fabrics and colours. Additionally, they will understand margin and profit targets, and have the ability to calculate and track profits.

Ultimately, what sets the successful talent apart from their contemporaries, will be a rebellious nature away from digital design, and a desire to bring movement, couture techniques, and hand draping back to the forefront of garment creation.