Fashion Designer – R&D & Innovation (Menswear Fabrics)

Fashion Designer – R&D & Innovation (Menswear Fabrics)

Location: Ahmedabad / Mumbai (as per business needs)

Reporting To: Director – Product Development

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly creative and self-driven Fashion Designer to lead our newly envisioned R&D and Innovation Cell. The ideal candidate will act as a one-person think tank, combining fabric innovation, garment experimentation, and trend forecasting to push the creative boundaries of our menswear fabric division. This role is part design studio, part lab, and part boutique, directly influencing our main production line with future-forward ideas and commercial prototypes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fabric & Base Research

· Explore and source new fabric bases suitable for men’s shirting (cotton, blends, sustainable fabrics, etc.)

· Collaborate with mills, vendors, and in-house teams to test fabric compatibility with different printing methods (rotary, digital, sublimation)

2. Sampling & Experimentation

· Conduct mix-and-match trials (e.g., yarn-dyed with prints, dobby bases, over-dyeing techniques)

· Oversee fabric treatment and finishing tests – washed/unwashed, softeners, enzymatic washes, etc.

· Supervise sampling jobs and coordinate with job workers, tailors, and printers

3. Garment Development

· Create garment prototypes (especially shirts) from new developments

· Develop detailed style sheets and tech packs for select samples

4. Visual Cataloguing & Presentation

· Maintain a well-structured physical and digital archive of all trials

· Photograph and catalogue each sample with wash notes, fabric specs, and treatment methods

· Curate seasonal presentation boards with trends, themes, and innovation highlights

5. Cross-functional Integration

· Liaise with the main design and sales teams to provide inspiration and development-ready ideas

· Develop capsules that can be shown to premium clients or serve as internal inspiration for future seasons

Key Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Fashion Design / Textile Design

· 2–5 years of experience in menswear, textile R&D, or experimental sampling

· Strong understanding of fabric constructions, men’s shirt styles, and printing techniques

· Skilled in Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Excel/Sheets, and moodboard creation

· Ability to work independently and manage hands-on tasks (from sourcing to stitching)

· Detail-oriented, organized, and creatively bold

Bonus if You Have:

· Experience in dyeing/washing units or garment finishing

· Passion for fabric innovation and trend scouting

· Understanding of sustainability in textiles

What We Offer:

· A unique opportunity to build something from scratch within a fast-growing textile company

· Full creative freedom to test, trial, and document fabric/garment innovation

· A hybrid role combining studio and field work, backed by a responsive leadership team

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: ₹300,000.00 - ₹500,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Leave encashment
• Provident Fund

Work Location: In person

Expected Start Date: 01/10/2025