Fashion Designer

Work Areas: Sarees, Kurtis, Anarkali Sets, Western Wear, Indo-Western Wear, Occasion Wear and Seasonal Collections

• Trend & Market Research: Study Indian and international fashion trends, colours, silhouettes, fabrics, embroidery, surface techniques and competitor collections. Research customer preferences, seasonal demand, festive trends and emerging styles.
• Collection Planning: Develop seasonal and occasion-based collections such as Diwali, Pongal, wedding, summer, festive and premium collections. Prepare collection themes, colour stories, mood boards, inspiration boards and range plans.
• Design Development: Create original garment concepts, hand sketches and digital fashion illustrations. Develop silhouettes, necklines, sleeves, cuts, drapes, embellishment placement and garment details while maintaining the brand identity.
• Fabric & Material Selection: Select suitable fabrics, linings, trims, buttons, zippers, laces, embroidery materials and accessories. Coordinate with sourcing teams to identify materials based on quality, cost, availability and production feasibility.
• Surface & Embellishment Design: Develop embroidery, handwork, prints, beadwork, sequins, zari, stonework, applique and other value additions for premium collections.
• Tech Pack Preparation: Prepare detailed technical specifications covering garment measurements, fabric, colour, construction details, stitching, trims, artwork, embroidery placement, finishing and packaging instructions.
• Sampling Coordination: Work closely with pattern masters, tailors, sample masters and embroidery teams to convert designs into prototypes. Monitor sample development from first sample through final approved sample.
• Fitting & Corrections: Conduct fitting sessions, identify fit and construction issues, record corrections and ensure samples meet approved measurements, comfort and styling requirements.
• Cost Control: Work with merchandising and production teams to develop commercially viable designs. Balance design aesthetics with target selling price, fabric consumption, labour cost and production complexity.
• Production Handover: Ensure approved samples, patterns, measurements, technical sheets, trims and workmanship standards are clearly communicated to the production team before bulk manufacturing.
• Quality Coordination: Check garment appearance, fit, colour consistency, embroidery quality, stitching, finishing and overall presentation before production approval.
• Vendor Coordination: Coordinate with fabric suppliers, printing units, embroidery units, dyeing units, accessory suppliers and job-work vendors for product development.
• Range Development: Ensure each collection has the right balance of entry-level, mid-range, premium and signature products along with coordinated colours, sizes and styles.
• Brand Identity: Develop products that have a recognizable design language and differentiate the brand from competitors rather than simply copying market styles.
• Fashion Shoot Support: Coordinate garment selection, styling, accessories and looks for catalogue shoots, campaigns, social media and collection launches.
• Documentation: Maintain design files, style numbers, fabric details, colour codes, sample status, costing information, approved specifications and collection records.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Work with merchandising, sourcing, production, marketing, e-commerce, photography and sales teams to ensure successful product launches.
• Innovation: Continuously experiment with new materials, silhouettes, construction methods, textile techniques and sustainable design ideas.
• Timeline Management: Follow the collection calendar and ensure designs, samples, approvals and production handovers are completed according to launch deadlines.
• Customer Feedback: Review sales performance, customer feedback, returns and best-selling products and use the information to improve future collections.

Essential Skills

The Fashion Designer should have strong ability in fashion illustration, garment construction, fabric knowledge, colour coordination, trend forecasting, embroidery/surface development, sampling, fitting and technical documentation. Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, CLO 3D or similar fashion-design software is desirable.