Design Director

Beyond Talent has been appointed to lead the search for a visionary Design Director, RTW for an elegant, international premium Maison at a pivotal moment of global expansion. The incoming leader will oversee creation and delivery of end‑to‑end collections across all categories—from tailoring, flou, knitwear, denim, leather, outerwear and eveningwear to accessories (handbags, small leather goods, footwear, belts, costume jewelry and soft accessories). This role blends creative excellence with operational discipline, leading a sizeable, multidisciplinary team and partnering closely with Merchandising, Atelier, Industrialization, Supply Chain and Communications to bring a cohesive brand vision to market.
To translate the Creative Director’s vision into commercially successful, iconic RTW and accessories collections, balancing creativity, craftsmanship, desirability and margin. The Design Director will set the seasonal creative agenda, ensure category coherence, drive product innovation, and build high‑performing teams and processes that can scale with the brand’s growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and safeguard the RTW design codes—silhouette, proportion, construction, color, print, embellishment, fabric and finish—ensuring coherence across women’s and men’s (if applicable) and accessories.
• Build seasonal creative narratives and material palettes aligned to the Maison’s heritage and contemporary positioning.
• Champion innovation in techniques, sustainability, and materials (e.g., low‑impact dyeing, recycled/traceable fibers, alternative leathers), without compromising luxury standards.
• Own the line architecture (show & pre‑collections, permanent icons, capsules, collaborations) including entry/hero/halo price strategies in partnership with Merchandising & Finance.
• Validate category briefs, range plans, and target costs; ensure a balanced assortment by delivery drop, geography and channel (retail/wholesale/e‑com/VIP).
• Oversee accessories creative roadmap to guarantee cross‑category storytelling and outfit completion.
• Lead sketch-to-rack workflow: concept, sketching/3D, fabric/yarn development, print/embroidery artworks, protos, fittings, SMS, industrialization and quality sign‑offs.
• Direct atelier prototyping and fittings with a rigorous approach to make, construction and fit; elevate blocks and size standards.
• Approve materials (fabrics, trims, hardware), finishes and colorways; ensure compliance with testing and quality norms.
• Work closely with PD/Industrialization & Supply Chain to secure feasibility, MOQ, lead‑time and margin; anticipate capacity constraints.
• Cultivate a best‑in‑class supplier network (mills, tanneries, knitwear workshops, embroiderers, leather goods manufacturers) across France/Italy/Portugal, etc.
• Align with Sustainability & Compliance on standards (traceability, animal welfare, chemicals, RSL, due diligence).
• Lead and inspire a multi‑disciplinary team; hire, mentor and develop senior managers and rising talent.

Experience

• +10 years’ experience in luxury RTW design, including leadership of multiple categories; runway and pre‑collection experience required.
• Proven oversight of accessories creative direction or close partnership with accessories studios to ensure full‑look coherence.
• Deep expertise in tailoring and flou; strong command of knitwear, denim, leather and outerwear.
• Track record of scaling teams and processes in growth contexts within European luxury Maisons.
  
• Exceptional creative vision paired with technical mastery of pattern cutting, garment engineering and finishing.