Job Title: Senior 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 RESPONSIBILITIES : 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 (Senior-Level Authority) • 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 QUALIFICATIONS & 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.
Job Title
SENIOR FASHION DESIGNER