Head of Studio

E.L.V. DENIM is hiring a Head of Studio to join our team. The successful applicant is a dynamic individual who can manage the timeline, workflow and logistics of a busy production, design, sourcing and studio.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

E.L.V. DENIM is a pioneering British luxury brand dedicated to handcrafting timeless fashion pieces from 100% upcycled materials. Breathing a second life into garments that could otherwise be destined for landfill, transforming loss into luxury.

In a world of over-consumption, E.L.V. DENIM challenges convention. Their fabric-first curated sourcing of pre-loved garments ensures every piece is unique and their innovative designs creates pieces to last a lifetime. In 2023 the brand extended beyond denim and into new categories, upcycling corduroy, shirting, tailoring, leather and cotton. Helping to protect the environment for future generations and proving that a completely circular fashion model can be a success.

All production takes place in East London, minimising carbon footprint and supporting our local community of ateliers.

THE ROLE

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

- Managing Critical Path (alongside Operations Manager) ensuring seasonal planning is efficient and accurate

- Planning production & pairing timeline and allocating styles to factories.

- Support with pairing of jeans alongside CD

- Support pre-production processes alongside Studio Assistant

- Liaising with factories regarding drop dates/progress/collection dates. As well as regular check ins regarding progress/quality ensuring relationships are nurtured.

- Managing Factory Quality Control

- In House post production

- Managing production for ‘In House’ styles

- Sourcing new factories and training on E.L.V. DENIM processes as and when needed

STUDIO MANAGEMENT

- Managing a team of 5+ people, studio & machines, ensuring a productive and positive working environment is maintained.

- Daily time planning of studio team & freelancers ensuring all timelines & budget are running smoothly

- Briefing studio team and freelancers on making styles, leading cutting/ fabric prep/ stitching tasks and offering support as needed.

- Periodical progress check ins with Studio Assistant

- Overview on Trims Management with Studio Assistant

- Custom fitting of client’s garments, pinning adjustments on body and actioning changes on existing garments.

- Interns exit interviews, giving feedback on their progress with us/ discussing their next steps

SOURCING

- Responsible for managing the sourcing and preparation for all raw material for the production and design seasons in a timely and cost-effective manner.

- Management of sourcing budget alongside Head of Operations.

- Sourcing new garments for design development of new collections with production assistant & Creative Director

- Supporting Production + Operations Assistant on sourcing trips, hand picking garments across the UK

DESIGN MANAGEMENT

- Design development and product development of two collections per year alongside CD.

- Generating new ideas ahead of design development meetings for review by CD

- Ensuring collection categories are fulfilled and collection workload is balanced

- Sketches and CAD drawings of styles, keeping the design board up to date

- Management of collection spreadsheet, noting all details of each style & factory placement

- Undertaking pattern cutting of styles/ booking in pattern cutters to work on new developments, leading fit sessions enduring notes taken and comments actioned.

- Toiling and fitting of new developments, sourcing trims for new designs

- Stitching final in-house samples

- Prepping sample packs for factories of outgoing styles, negotiating and signing of production pricing.

- Managing collection costings, ensuring it is brought in within budget

- Managing QC of collection before and after collection shoot alongside Production + Operations Assistant.

- Managing design sign off meetings, ensuring all details are noted and agreed on final collection before production starts.

- Wash tests for new materials/ styles

- Grading of patterns

KEY SKILLS

- Strong and independent time and workflow management of self and a team

- At least 3 years’ experience in fashion production management for RTW garments

- Exceptional trouble shooting experience, decisive decision making and adaptability.

- Advanced design/ product development skills covering: sewing, pattern cutting, finishing and drawing/ CAD, ideas generation.

- Exceptional people management skills

- Understanding of correct garment fit, experience leading fit sessions

- Key eye for detail when applied to quality control processes

- Equipment/Machine operation and maintenance

- sewing machine and overlocker knowledge and care e.g. different feet, needles, threads, tension

- Pattern cutting knowledge, ability to draft edit patterns

- Strong written and verbal comms

- Use of Microsoft office and excel, zedonk a plus

- Driving licence and car is a plus for factory meetings

- Ability and willingness to work outside of working hours when needed

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should respond with their CV & Portfolio to [email protected] Successful first stage applicants will be required to undertake a design and sewing task

- Strong and independent time and workflow management of self and a team

- At least 3 years’ experience in fashion production management for RTW garments

- Exceptional trouble shooting experience, decisive decision making and adaptability.

- Advanced design/ product development skills covering: sewing, pattern cutting, finishing and drawing/ CAD, ideas generation.

- Exceptional people management skills

- Understanding of correct garment fit, experience leading fit sessions

- Key eye for detail when applied to quality control processes

- Equipment/Machine operation and maintenance

- sewing machine and overlocker knowledge and care e.g. different feet, needles, threads, tension

- Pattern cutting knowledge, ability to draft edit patterns

- Strong written and verbal comms

- Use of Microsoft office and excel, zedonk a plus

- Driving licence and car is a plus for factory meetings

- Ability and willingness to work outside of working hours when needed