Aspinal of London are looking for a Senior Designer to lead the leather goods and accessories category, including bag styles, hardware, leather sourcing, and seasonal colour development, as well as soft accessories, hard accessories, jewellery, new categories as planned and agreed, belts, hats etc. You will take leadership of designing and developing new styles and collections within this category. The role involves close day-to-day design collaboration directly with the Chairman and the Product & Supply Director. You will drive design and work with our head of product development through to the manufacturing stage, contributing where you can to sourcing and manufacturing at which point responsibility will be handed over to the wider team.

This is an amazing opportunity to join a small team based in West Sussex. We have a Designer Manager going on Maternity leave in September. This role will lead the team in her absence.

This role will require attendance in the office at least 4 days per week

ACCOUNTABLE FOR:

Supporting the creation of seasonal concept and colour
Creation of new ideas and raw materials
Creation of designs and CADs to enable ideas to be delivered as a physical prototype
Reviewing range plan and ensuring that all options are required to margin
Creating Design Packs and specs for new ideas as briefed in pipeline
Supporting Product Development in critique, construction and problem solving
Managing the Design critical path ensuring that all key dates are delivered

Creative themes and Concepts

Support and deliver the seasonal story theme as provided by Chairman and Creative team.
Colour, trend and product research. Be able to present a focused overview of relevant trend information from online, catwalks, social media, street trends etc
Ensuring the creative theme is issued to key Stakeholders and collated on electronic format
Manage the creation of the concept boards for theme, colour, and product
Constantly evolve method of craftsmanship on all Aspinal of London product to ensure AOL is a leader in all areas of craftsmanship construction and raw materials
Question and review all continuity concepts for Aspinal of London heritage products and deliver new ideas and concepts

Design Function

Present and receive direction at the pipeline meetings for new designs, ensuring price point and raw materials are considered
Approve all Design Teams CADs and design packs
Research and understand new raw materials in the marketplace ensuring new leathers and hardware are researched
Research all new trends in the marketplace and present ideas relevant to the brand
Work closely with the Chairman on scarf designs and handover to PD to action
Visit the Flagship store monthly to understand customer need and gain retail feedback

Raw Materials

Support the Product Director in researching new raw materials, colours, treatments and hardware
Support the Product Development Team in the development of new hardware and ensure it is fit for purpose
Ensure wearer trials are actioned and reviewed of any new raw material

Product Creation

Initiate a smooth handover of the technical drawings to PD, ensuring all information is accurate and design is clearly explained
Cover off all new areas in hard and soft accessories - Hats , Support of Jewellery and hard gifts , Scarves , belts , hats , socks, Hard keyrings , Homeware
Produce high quality, accurate design specifications and technical information on Adobe Ai, including to Scale CADs for 1 st prototypes, 2 nd prototypes and confirmed styles
Have prior experience and knowledge of the technical aspects and construction of product
Knowledgeable on all aspects of leather, fabric and metalware.
Lead the Design to PD Handover meetings on all non-product actions, ensuring all action points are passed over to PD to action
Work through with the supplier and the PD manager in amending design where necessary and problem-solving, offering solutions to make the bag fit for purpose and meeting the brand DNA
Work with the PD Manager on reviewing and critiquing new development samples
Working product into cost, suggesting alternatives in construction, raw materials and supply base
Deliver knowledge on construction and methods of manufacture

Chairman Creative Meeting, Friday

Ensure that the seasonal collection styles that are selected from pipeline and are developed in time for the season drop
Support and develop Design ideas in all areas
Support on design off all collab and special projects
Manage the meeting notes out to all stakeholders
Managing all samples that are in the design remit and ensure they don't leave the building

Prototype Management

Support the PD team in ensuring that Teams calls are completed to review new designs with the supply base
Manage any new samples handed from PD, ensuring they are organised and able to be located
Check all prototypes for construction with the PD team, ensuring design intended is delivered and costs are presented from PD

Range Building

Support the Product Director in the building of the collection according to the business needs
Review and analyse sales information to ensure that collection developed meets the business needs
Support in the creation of seasonal boards for delivery of the collection to key stakeholders
Ensure that pipeline products are ready, according to the business timeline, to be dropped into the seasonal collection

COMPENTENCIES:

Confident using Excel, Design packages
3D design capabilities and hand sketching
Self-motivated and proactive
Able to conduct supplier meetings
Personal time management and prioritisation
Creative and commercial eye
Demonstrate in-depth market knowledge of the current competitive and inspirational marketplace
Strong communication skills with Aspinal team departments as well as suppliers
Attention to detail
Strong work ethic
Confidentiality
Excellent presentation skills both visual and verbal
An experienced Accessories Designer with a minimum of 5 years in role experience
Fashion or Accessories Design Qualification to Degree level
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the Aspinal of London handwriting, brand DNA and our core/target customer
Highly knowledgeable in colour, leather/ fabric direction and innovation

Aspinal of London

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