ASSOCIATE FASHION AND CREATIVE DESIGNER VACANCY

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Company: One of the leading fashion outfits in Nigeria with cutting edge trends and global appeal styles with clients ranging from popular international personalities and models all over the world.

Due to recent expansion, there is the need to hire an ASSOCIATE FASHION AND CREATIVE DESIGNER (with international exposure/experience) to join the highly motivated professionals in the organization.

This is a rewarding opportunity in an environment that supports success.

Job description

The Design Associate will assist in developing and promoting new clothing for manufacture, and provide support to other staff in the creation of garments for large-scale commercial and boutique production. Design marketable collections for all product lines under the House within stated timelines. Some product-lines existing in the House currently are:

• High street fashion - this is where the majority of designers work and where garments are mass manufactured (often in Europe or East Asia). Buying patterns, seasonal trends and celebrity catwalk influences play a key role in this design process. It is a commercial area and heavily media led

• Ready-to-wear - also known as prêt-à-porter. Established designers create ready-to-wear collections, produced in relatively small

• Haute couture - requires large amounts of time spent on the production of one-off garments for the catwalk, which are often not practical to wear. Designs are usually created to endorse the brand and create a 'look'

The choice candidate will also work to achieve cost-effective designs that are relevant to the premeditated season(s). Ensure that the most innovative fabrics, tools and techniques are used to design/create the garments. Ensure that all garments produced internally and externally meet the necessary quality standards


KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ROLE
• Report to the Creative Director

General
• Create original clothing, accessories and footwear
• Sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns and give instructions on how to make all products designed
• Understanding design from a technical perspective, i.e. producing patterns and technical specifications for designs
• Lend both creative and technical support to the Creative Director and Lead Fashion Designer respectively

Research
• Researching fashion trends and forecasting for the 2 seasons ahead using trend reports published by fashion industry trade groups
• Choosing a theme for each collection, identifying the target audience and building a case for the marketability of each collection
• Taking research trips to visit art galleries, trade shows or particular places or countries linked to a design theme
• Creating conceptual collections based on inspiration from regular surroundings, cultures experienced and from inspirational art media
• Preparing colour, mood, shape and trend boards
• Providing textile swatches, colours, supplier details and all other relevant information to Supply Chain Management to enable an order to be made
• Deciding on quantities of material(s) needed for collections so that the right quantities of each can be ordered by Supply Chain Management
• Deciding on re-order levels for each design component/material needed for production of designs


Design
• Sketching designs of clothing, footwear and accessories
• Producing technical sketches of clothing, footwear and accessories using computer-aided design programs (CAD)
• Working with others in the design team, such as buyers and forecasters to develop products to meet a brief
• Selecting fabrics, embellishments, colours and style for each garment or accessory
• Presenting design ideas to the Creative Director for the vetting of each collection concept
• Facilitating the betting process for production quantities of each approved design with the Lead Designer and the Creative Director
• Developing current fabric innovations of the House using fabric manipulation, embellishments and embroidery


Sourcing and Supply
• Attending trade shows to acquire fabric samples and discover new fabrics
• Sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
• Choosing textiles that are most ideal for each garment in each collection (from a cost effective as well as visually appealing point of view) and working closely with fabric manufacturing factories and suppliers
• Providing textile swatches, colours, supplier details and all other relevant information to Supply Chain Management to enable an order to be made
• Deciding on quantities of material(s) needed for collections so that the right quantities of each can be ordered by Supply Chain Management
• Deciding on re-order levels for each design component/material needed for production of designs


Garment/Product Costing Analysis
• Liaising closely with sales, buying and production teams on an ongoing basis to ensure the item(s) suit the customer, market and price points
• Carrying out an analysis on the cost of all components to be used in the execution of each design
• Ensuring that the cost of production of each design is appropriate for the intended final price point of each collection
• Understanding the margins that retailers would intend to apply on the clothing and ensuring that there is a buffer level on selling price to accommodate this under the direction if the Finance Department


Sampling
• Developing patterns both manually and electronically which will be cut and sewn into sample garments and supervising the creation of these, including fitting, detailing and adaptations
• Creating prototypes for each design in less expensive material than will be used in the final product
• Making sure the prototypes fit and have the visual appeal intended by working with fit models
• Overseeing the production of the prototypes in the actual materials that will be used in manufacturing
• Organizing events such as runway shows and presentations to showcase samples under the direction of the Creative Director and with the help of Brand Communications
• Identifying the samples that received good responses form editors or trade and fashion shows and then making sure based on this that they are ranked higher in the betting process and therefore manufactured in larger quantities
• Marketing the samples to retailers with the help of the Business Development unit to be able to secure orders which will help determine/justify manufacturing quantities for each style in each collection


Manufacturing
• Adapting existing designs for mass production
• Drawing up technical specifications for manufacturers
• Providing manufacturers with tech-packs for each garment
• Communicating design details and fabric specifications to manufacturers
• Overseeing production of all items manufactured locally or off-shore
• Visiting the factories to vet samples
• Arranging distribution of consignment items to selected retailers


Quality Control
• Ensuring that each item manufactured meets the design specifications and the quality standards of the House
• Ensuring there are no defects in the fabric and sewing of each garment
• Ensuring that each garment is identical to the perfected prototype approved and exhibited in the runway shows


Retail
Marketing designs to clothing retailers or directly to consumers


DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
• Fashion design/ merchandising degree or related field such as fashion buying and marketing or graphic design a plus but not required
• Minimum of five (5) years overall work experience with at least 3 years in garment design
• Creativity, innovation and flair
• An eye for colour and a feel for fabrics and materials
• Design and visualization skills, either by hand or through computer-aided design software (CAD) such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw)
• Vast knowledge of and experience in handling textiles
• Garment technology skills and knowledge
• Technical skills including pattern cutting, sewing and garment construction
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Power Point and Excel in particular
• Commercial awareness and business orientation
• The ability to negotiate and to influence others
• A proactive approach
• Meticulous attention to detail and precision in work product
• Ability to establish and meet deadlines
• Self-promotion and confidence
• Flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Interpersonal, communication and networking skills and a team player
• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Good organization and time management


Salary
Salary is very competitive and of international standards

Method of application
Interested applicants that meet the requirements above should please forward their CVs to mgtpositions@stresert.com using FDEZ31 as subject of their applications. Submission closes May 1, 2018
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews.

Good luck!!