Senior Designer, Tailoring

MCQUEEN; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury fashion house in Greater London seeks a Senior Designer for Formal Tailoring. The successful candidate will lead the creative direction of tailoring, ensuring that each piece reflects the brand's aesthetic and innovative spirit. Responsibilities include collaborating with design teams, overseeing the development of tailored garments, and driving sustainable practices. Ideal applicants will have extensive experience in luxury fashion, strong patternmaking skills, and the ability to inspire creativity within teams. Join a dynamic environment where craftsmanship and collaboration are celebrated.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate empowerment, teamwork, respect, and kindness.
• Extensive experience in a luxury fashion house/tailors.
• Strong expertise in tailored garment design.

Responsibilities

• Lead creative development in Formal Tailoring.
• Collaborate closely with Atelier teams.
• Translate concepts into functional designs.
• Research new fabrics and techniques.
• Oversee fittings for design integrity.
• Collaborate with Material Development and Production.
• Drive sustainable innovation in tailoring.

Skills

Senior Designer experience

Tailoring expertise

Patternmaking

Communication skills

Leadership

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CLO3D

Job description

McQueen is a British luxury fashion house founded by Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992. In 2001, the house joined the Kering Group and, since December 2023, is under the creative direction of Seán McGirr. McQueen is distinctive for an expression of individuality, subversive strength and raw power. With a design studio and atelier based in London, the house is known for uncompromising quality and creative vision.

Our Key Behaviours

• Empowerment – We empower our team and peers, providing unwavering support to ensure everyone can thrive; this means giving support to your team and those you are working with to succeed.
• Teamwork – We put an emphasis on Teamwork; this means working together as a collective to achieve shared goals.
• Respect – We value respect, treating everyone with dignity and showing genuine appreciation for their efforts: this means treating everyone equally.
• Kindness – We believe kindness is integral to everything we do; this means demonstrating compassion and empathy towards others.

How will you contribute?

• Lead the creative development of the Formal Tailoring category, ensuring each piece reflects the House’s aesthetic, craftsmanship, and innovation.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of Design and Atelier teams to design, develop, and refine formal tailoring across seasonal collections and bespoke projects.
• Translate creative concepts into precise, functional, and innovative tailoring designs — from sketch to prototype — upholding the brand’s standard of excellence.
• Research and interpret new fabrics, structures, and techniques relevant to tailoring, merging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes.
• Work hands‑on with pattern makers, product development, and technical teams to ensure design intent, proportion, and construction integrity are preserved.
• Oversee fittings with the Atelier to refine line, balance, and fit, providing clear creative and technical direction throughout the development process.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Material Development, Merchandising, and Production teams to ensure collection coherence, feasibility, and alignment with business objectives.
• Drive innovation in tailoring by exploring sustainable approaches, artisanal methods, and new forms of expression while maintaining the brand’s signature codes.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior designers and interns, fostering a studio culture grounded in creativity, excellence, and collaboration.
• Maintain awareness of global fashion trends, emerging tailoring techniques, and cultural shifts to keep the category forward‑thinking and relevant.

Required Skills

• You will be able to demonstrate the desired McQueen behaviours.
• Extensive experience as a Senior Designer with a specialist Tailoring skillset within a luxury fashion house and/or tailors.
• Strong expertise in tailored garment design, including construction, proportion, drape, and finishing.
• Proven ability to design and develop formalwear across both men’s and women’s silhouettes, from classic tailoring to modern couture.
• Excellent technical understanding of patternmaking, fitting, and fabric behaviour, with the ability to communicate effectively with ateliers and technical teams.
• Exceptional sketching and presentation skills; proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CLO3D, or equivalent software a plus.
• A balance of creative vision and commercial awareness, ensuring each design aligns with the brand’s aesthetic and strategic direction.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• A deep appreciation for craftsmanship, precision, and the evolution of tailoring within luxury fashion.

Please Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may evolve as the needs of the organisation change.

Kering is committed to building a diverse workforce. We believe diversity in all its forms – gender, age, nationality, culture, religious beliefs and sexual orientation – enriches the workplace. It opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to adapt to a changing world. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background.