Head of design

For Believers; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 108,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

For Believers BV is seeking a Head of Design to lead the brand's design direction from inception. You will define the look, feel and product language across concepts to final collection, collaborating closely with founders, product and sourcing teams to balance creativity with commercial goals.

The role requires a design visionary with the ability to build an entire brand DNA and potentially lead an international design team in a globally ambitious premium athleisure environment.

Qualifications

• Design visionary with ability to translate brand ambition into product DNA.
• Strong visual identity, colour, silhouette and proportion sense.
• Experience developing signature products and collection language.

Responsibilities

• Own the complete design direction of the brand.
• Define brand look, feel and product language from concept to collection.
• Lead design development with product, sourcing and technical teams.
• Develop design codes, finishes and materials that define premium positioning.
• Build a potential future international design team.

Skills

Design direction

Brand storytelling

Pattern development

Fabrics knowledge

Commercial design

Team leadership

Job description

Build the Design DNA of a New Global Athleisure Brand

For Believers is exclusively searching for a high-level Head of Design to join the founding team of an ambitious international fashion brand undergoing a complete transformation.

With its HQ in Dubai, they are building a new brand universe at the intersection of premium athleisure, elevated activewear and modern lifestyle.

This is not a traditional design role. We are looking for a true design visionary who can build the product and visual DNA of the brand from scratch and translate a clear brand ambition into a highly desirable, commercially successful product universe.

THE ROLE

As Head of Design, you will take ownership of the complete design direction of the brand

You will define what the brand looks like, feels like and ultimately becomes — from the first concept and moodboards through to final product, fit and collection architecture.

You will work closely with the founders and the wider product and sourcing team, bringing together creativity, technical expertise, innovation and commercial awareness.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build the complete Design DNA and creative direction of the brand from the ground up
• Develop the brand’s signature silhouettes, shapes, fits, proportions and product language
• Design premium collections across athleisure, activewear and lifestyle
• Lead the development of innovative and high-performance fabrics, materials and constructions
• Have a deep understanding of stretch, recovery, compression, handfeel , functionality and technical performance
• Develop exceptional fits and patterns, with a strong understanding of the female body and movement
• Translate trend, culture and consumer insights into commercially relevant product
• Push innovation in materials, construction, functionality and sustainability
• Establish a strong balance between fashion, performance and desirability
• Work closely with product development, sourcing and technical teams from concept to production
• Build a clear and consistent collection architecture and product hierarchy
• Ensure every product reflects the intended premium positioning of the brand
• Develop signature details, finishes and design codes that can become recognisable brand DNA
• Build and potentially lead a future international design team

THE IDEAL PROFILE

We are looking for an established Senior Designer / Design Director / Head of Design with a strong international track record within premium athleisure, activewear ( pilates – yoga) , underwear, performance or fashion-led sportswear.

You combine the eye of a fashion designer with the technical knowledge of a product expert.

You understand that great activewear is not only about aesthetics —fit, fabric, movement, construction and performance are equally important.

You have an exceptional understanding of:

Design & Creative Direction
Strong visual identity,colour, silhouette, proportion, trend and brand storytelling.

Technical Product Knowledge
Fabrics, stretch, recovery, compression, construction, pattern development, fit and technical specifications.

Innovation
A strong interest in next-generation materials, fabric technologies, functionality and responsible product development.

Athleisure & Bodywear
A deep understanding of products designed to move with the body, combining performance, comfort and fashion.

Brand Building
The ability to translate a brand strategy into a distinctive and recognisable product language.

Commercial Design
The ability to create products that are not only beautiful and innovative, but also scalable, wearable and commercially relevant.

EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have experience within a globally recognised premium fashion, activewear, sportswear or bodywear environment, working at a senior design level and ideally having contributed to the development or evolution of an internationally recognised brand.

Experience building a new category, collection, product line or brand identity from the ground up would be highly valuable.

PERSONALITY

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highlycreativeandvisuallysophisticated
• Technicallystrongandproductobsessed
• Entrepreneurialandhands-on
• Curious about innovation and new materials
• Commerciallyawarewithoutcompromisingcreativity
• Passionate about fashion, movement and the modern lifestyle
• Comfortableworkingdirectlywithfounders
• International in mindset and culturally aware
• A strongcommunicatorandcollaborator
• Excited by the opportunity to build something rather than simply maintain it

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a rare opportunity to join an ambitious brand at a defining moment and have genuine ownership of its creative and product direction.

You will have the opportunity to shape the brand from the very beginning — defining its design language, building its collections, developing its signature products and ultimately creating a distinctive global athleisure brand born in Dubai.

Location: Dubai, UAE
Position: Head of Design
Level: Senior / Founding Team