Studio Ellis Ltd
DESIGNER & PRODUCT DEVELOPER (London, Studio-Based)
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Studio Ellis is an independent British fashion house with more than a century of experience creating bridal and occasionwear. Our portfolio includes Ellis Bridals, KR by Studio Ellis, John Charles and Maisonel.
We are looking for an experienced Designer & Product Developer to join our London design team. This is a hands-on role combining commercially relevant design with detailed product development. It is not a purely creative design position. The successful candidate will understand the complete product journey and take ownership of allocated styles from initial concept through technical development, sampling, fittings and final production readiness.
The balance between design and product development will vary throughout the seasonal calendar, with the majority of the role focused on detailed product development.
THE ROLE
Design
- Design allocated styles, capsules and product areas within the agreed direction of each brand.
- Produce original sketches, CADs and clear design presentations.
- Research relevant trends, fabrics, colours, silhouettes and construction.
- Identify commercial opportunities and gaps within collections.
- Contribute to fabric, trim and construction development.
- Balance creativity with wearability, price, margin and production feasibility.
- Understand and design appropriately across distinct brand identities.
Product development
- Take ownership of allocated styles from approved design through to production readiness.
- Create and maintain accurate technical packs, specifications, measurements and construction details.
- Manage sample development from the first prototype through to salesman sample and final approval.
- Lead fittings for allocated styles and prepare clear, detailed sample comments.
- Identify potential problems early and help reduce unnecessary sampling rounds.
- Maintain accurate development trackers, technical files and decision records.
- Ensure every allocated style has a complete technical record before production handover.
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Fit and technical development
- Assess garment fit, proportion, construction and finish.
- Measure garments against specifications and identify the causes of discrepancies.
- Resolve fit, pattern, construction, fabric and trim issues while protecting the original design intention.
- Recommend practical amendments that improve quality, consistency, cost or manufacturability.
- Use production and customer feedback to improve future products.
Factory and supplier communication
- Act as the principal technical contact for the development of allocated styles.
- Issue clear technical instructions and respond promptly to factory questions.
- Review factory proposals and resolve misunderstandings before they affect timing or quality.
- Build productive relationships with overseas factories and suppliers.
- Monitor development deadlines and raise risks early.
Production readiness and wider support
- Confirm that allocated styles are technically complete before final approval.
- Prepare clear and accurate production handovers.
- Support the technical review of production samples and quality issues relating to fit, measurements, specifications or construction.
- Work within agreed target costs, margins and customer expectations.
- Support collection reviews, fittings, launches and presentations where product expertise is required.
- Collaborate across the wider Design, Production, Sales, Customer Care and Marketing teams.
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ABOUT YOU
You will have:
- Strong experience in bridal, occasionwear, eveningwear or premium womenswear.
- Commercial design ability and sensitivity to different brand identities.
- An excellent understanding of garment construction, patterns, fit and measurements.
- Experience producing comprehensive technical packs and leading fittings.
- Experience preparing detailed and practical sample comments.
- Experience working directly with overseas factories.
- Strong Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills.
- A commercial understanding of price, cost, margin and customer requirements.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to work independently and take responsibility through to completion.
- A collaborative approach and willingness to share knowledge and support the wider team.
The role does not currently include line-management responsibilities.
TO APPLY
Please apply through LinkedIn with your CV and portfolio, including examples that demonstrate both your creative design ability and technical product-development experience.
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