Design Director

My client is seeking a visionary and experienced Design Director to lead their trend forecasting and design innovation. The Design Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the product offerings, ensuring our client remains at the forefront of emerging trends, have a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, and the ability to translate insights into market-leading products across women's, men's, and kids' categories. You will have a hands on creative approach leading your team and increasing the trend lead offering.

You will lead their design teams in the UK and internationally. This unique role would involve regular travel to the USA. To be considered for this role you must have a background working within trend led women's fashion working for a retail or e-tailer and have held a similar role.

Main Responsibilities will include

• Trend Forecasting & Analysis
• Conduct thorough research and analysis of global fashion trends, consumer preferences, and market shifts.
• Identify and forecast emerging trends across women's, men's, and kids' fashion, ensuring alignment with the brand's vision and customer base.
• Leverage trend forecasting tools, fashion shows, trade shows, and industry publications to stay ahead of the curve.
• Collaborate with the design team to translate trend insights into innovative and commercially viable product lines.
• Provide creative direction and guidance to designers, ensuring that trend concepts are executed with a high level of design integrity and market relevance.
• Oversee the development of seasonal trend boards, colour palettes, and key product stories.
• Partner with merchandising, marketing, and buying teams to develop seasonal assortments that reflect current trends and meet business goals.
• Drive the overall trend strategy for the brand, ensuring consistency and cohesion across all product categories.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of trend-driven initiatives.

Person Specification

• 8+ years of experience in trend forecasting, design manager/ director level
• Proven track record of successfully identifying and implementing fashion trends that drive commercial success.
• Experience working in fast fashion or a similar high-paced, trend-driven environment
• Strong design background with a deep understanding of fashion aesthetics, textiles, and garment construction.
• Exceptional trend analysis skills with the ability to synthesise complex data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and inspire stakeholders at all levels.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance creativity with commercial acumen.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

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