Senior Fashion Designer

Job Title: Fashion Designer

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Grant Road, Mumbai

Experience:

• Senior Designer: 3+ years

ABOUT SDS by KUSHAL SHAH

• SDS by KUSHAL SHAH is a men’s luxury brand specializing in Prêt, Couture, and Bespoke.

• We focus on refined design aesthetics, craftsmanship, and service, creating a seamless balance between luxury and contemporary style.

• Rooted in an edgy yet timeless design philosophy, our collections reflect an evolving yet consistent creative vision.

• Our parent company, SHEETAL, has been a pioneer in Indian fashion retail for over 50 years.

• Industry icons such as Hemant Trivedi, Manish Malhotra, and Aki Narula began their creative journeys at SDS before launching their own labels.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES :

1. Research, Trend Forecasting & Design Intelligence

• Conduct extensive research on global and Indian menswear trends, couture movements, textile innovations, embroidery techniques, and tailoring structures

• Analyze competitor positioning within luxury and bespoke menswear

• Study evolving luxury consumer behavior and seasonal buying patterns

• Forecast seasonal color palettes, fabric directions, silhouette evolutions, and surface ornamentation

• Identify craft clusters, artisan techniques, and innovative materials aligned with brand aesthetics

2. Collection Conceptualization & Story Development

• Conceptualize seasonal, couture, and capsule collections from initial idea to production readiness

• Develop strong thematic narratives and collection storytelling frameworks

• Create comprehensive mood boards (silhouette, texture, embroidery, color, styling, references)

• Prepare structured concept decks outlining inspiration, category planning, and product segmentation

3. Design Development & Technical Execution

• Develop detailed sketches and finalized garment designs across Prêt, Couture, and Bespoke

• Create precise technical drawings and CADs

• Prepare complete tech packs including:

– Measurement charts

– Stitch details

– Construction notes

– Fabric specifications

– Embroidery placements

– Finishing standards

• Define silhouette structures, fit blocks, and garment construction techniques

• Incorporate bespoke tailoring principles and couture-level detailing into every design

4. Fabric Planning, Sourcing & Material Management

• Determine fabric requirements per collection and per garment

• Calculate fabric consumption in coordination with merchandising and production

• Source fabrics, trims, linings, buttons, embellishments, and accessories

• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and lead times with vendors

• Coordinate embroidery sampling with khaka artists and karigars

• Maintain updated fabric libraries, trim archives, and sourcing documentation

• Ensure timely procurement aligned with sampling and production timelines

5. Sampling, Fit Trials & Prototype Approvals

• Oversee development of first samples from design briefing to final prototype

• Coordinate closely with masters, pattern makers, tailors, and karigars

• Conduct detailed fit trials and silhouette corrections

• Provide structured correction sheets for sampling iterations

• Approve final samples before bulk production or couture execution

• Ensure garments meet luxury construction and finishing standards

6. Production Planning, Merchandising & Execution

• Collaborate with merchandising teams on costing and pricing strategies

• Align design timelines with production calendars and launch schedules

• Finalize stitching units, workshop allocations, and karigar assignments

• Monitor embroidery timelines and execution stages

• Coordinate fabric usage planning and wastage control

• Oversee bulk production quality consistency

• Ensure readiness for retail, MBOs, and e-commerce distribution

7. End-to-End Client Consultation & Bespoke Order Facilitation

• Lead and actively participate in client consultations at the flagship store

• Understand client personality, occasion requirements, styling preferences, and customization needs

• Translate consultation discussions into structured design briefs

• Develop bespoke concepts tailored to individual client requirements

• Prepare personalized tech sheets and embroidery layouts specific to each order

• Supervise measurement recording and customization specifications

• Coordinate sampling and trial fittings for bespoke clients

• Attend fittings, mark corrections, and provide structured alteration instructions

• Ensure seamless communication between client, production, and tailoring teams

• Track order progress from consultation to final delivery

• Oversee finishing, personalization, and couture detailing standards

• Ensure on-time delivery without compromising craftsmanship

• Maintain detailed documentation of bespoke orders for internal records

8. Quality Control & Design Excellence

• Conduct multi-stage quality inspections (fabric, embroidery, stitching, finishing)

• Ensure construction accuracy, seam finishing, lining precision, and embroidery consistency

• Approve final garments prior to dispatch

• Maintain consistency in luxury presentation across collections

9. Campaign Support, Styling & Presentation

• Coordinate with Marketing, PR, and Merchandising teams for cohesive collection storytelling

• Support shoot styling and campaign visuals

• Supervise garment presentation for lookbooks, editorials, and launches

• Ensure designs align with brand image across all visual platforms

10. Visual Documentation & Archiving

• Click and supervise garment photography for internal records

• Maintain digital archives of:

– Tech packs

– Embroidery layouts

– Fabric swatches

– Production notes

– Final garment images

• Ensure structured documentation for future collection references

11. Team Leadership & Creative Mentorship

• Guide and mentor junior designers and interns

• Review and approve junior sketches, tech sheets, and embroidery layouts

• Provide constructive feedback and elevate design standards

• Build structured workflows within the design department

• Ensure alignment between creative vision and production feasibility

12. Process Development & System Implementation

• Develop and standardize design-to-production workflows

• Create structured tech pack templates and approval systems

• Implement sampling approval hierarchies

• Establish documentation systems for tracking collection stages

• Coordinate cross-department systems between Design, Production, Merchandising, Retail, and Marketing

• Continuously optimize efficiency in execution and communication

QUALFICATIONS & PREREQUISITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field (advanced degree preferred).

• Senior Designer: 3+ years of experience in luxury menswear, couture, or bespoke.

• Strong understanding of menswear silhouettes, tailoring, and garment construction.

• In-depth knowledge of fabrics, couture embroideries, and finishing techniques.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.).

• Familiarity with bespoke tailoring and made-to-measure processes.

• Awareness of sustainability practices in fashion is a plus.

• Strong teamwork, time management, and creative problem-solving skills.

• Willingness to travel for sourcing, shows, and industry events if required.