Sr. Fashion Designer

Job Location: Surat (On-site)

Company Overview

Heart & Soul is a leading manufacturer of Indian ethnic wear, renowned for its quality craftsmanship and commitment to traditional design aesthetics. As we expand our portfolio, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Fashion Designer to lead our Women’s Ethnic Wear category. This role is pivotal in creating innovative, high-quality ensembles that balance heritage silhouettes with contemporary global trends.

Key Responsibilities

• Collection Strategy: Lead the conceptualization and design of women’s ethnic wear segment for wedding and festive season.
• Trend & Market Analysis: Conduct rigorous market research to identify emerging silhouettes, necklines, and sleeve patterns, ensuring the brand remains a trendsetter in the ethnic segment.
• Technical Design: Create detailed tech packs, sketches, and technical drawings that specify construction details, measurements, and finishing standards.
• Material & Surface Ornamentation: Select premium fabrics, curated color palettes, and intricate embellishments to elevate each ensemble.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and manage the design team, overseeing the creative workflow from initial mood boards to final production-ready designs.
• Prototype & Fit Excellence: Oversee the sampling process, conducting rigorous fittings to ensure superior garment construction and impeccable fit across sizes.
• Stakeholder Management: Present design concepts and range plans to senior management, incorporating feedback to align with commercial goals.
• Production Coordination: Liaise with the production and sampling units to ensure design intent is maintained, timelines are met, and quality standards are strictly followed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from a recognized institute.
• Experience: A minimum of 5–7 years of total experience in fashion design. At least 4 years of dedicated domain experience in the women’s ethnic wear cateory.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Procreate preferred.
• Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of garment construction, tailoring techniques, pattern making, and the diverse range of Indian textiles.
• Creative Vision: A strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in designing complete women’s ethnic wear with a focus on cohesive aesthetics.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage a team and handle multiple design cycles simultaneously.

Preferred Skills

• Versatility: Expert knowledge of both traditional ethnic wear and contemporary Indo-Western silhouettes.
• Detail Orientation: A keen eye for finishing, including internal construction, piping, and button details.
• Industry Network: Established connections with fabric vendors, embroidery karigars, and master tailors in the Surat hub.