Senior Apparel Designer

Organisation Overview

The Lady Bamford Foundation (LBF) is a non-profit initiative committed to creating equitable opportunities through community development and the revival of traditional knowledge systems. With two primary verticalsCommunity and NilaLBF brings together social innovation, artisan empowerment, and design-led interventions to nurture dignity, livelihood, and cultural continuity.

Role Overview

We are seeking a visionary and detail-oriented Senior Apparel Designer to lead the creative direction, design, and product development of Nilas contemporary handcrafted apparel collections. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in apparel design, with a strong command of silhouette, pattern cutting, fabric manipulation, and finishings, alongside a deep understanding of Indian craft traditions and artisanal techniques. The role requires a refined design sensibility that aligns with Nilas ethos of minimalism, sustainability, and craft revival, while also ensuring commercial viability and market relevance. The Senior Designer will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing seasonal collections from research to final sample, developing mood boards, selecting fabrics and trims, creating technical packs, and collaborating closely with artisans, production teams, and external partners. Key responsibilities will include managing the design calendar, ensuring timely sample development, maintaining quality and consistency across products, and innovating within traditional craft processes to create modern, wearable collections. The role will also lead visual merchandising strategy, oversee brand-aligned storytelling through look-books, photoshoots, and digital content, and contribute to Nilas broader narrative of craft preservation and sustainable fashion. This is a leadership position requiring strong creative direction, technical proficiency, team mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration, with an ability to balance creative vision and practical execution in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Product Development & Collection Design

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of Nilas seasonal and capsule apparel collections.
• Develop concept-driven collections aligned with Nilas brand philosophy, sustainability ethos, and seasonal creative strategies.
• Ensure internal design sign-offs are achieved on schedule, maintaining alignment between creative direction and production feasibility.

2. Technical Design, Pattern Cutting & Sampling

• Create detailed technical drawings and specifications for each style, ensuring clarity and accuracy for sampling and production.
• Direct and oversee the sampling team, including pattern makers, sample tailors, and sampling coordinators, to ensure precision in construction, fit, and finishing.
• Manage pattern development and cutting, working closely with in-house and artisan teams to achieve intended silhouettes and fit.
• Lead and manage the textile design team to develop innovative fabrics, surface treatments, and dyeing techniques in collaboration with artisans and weavers, ensuring these are thoughtfully integrated into seasonal apparel collections in line with Nilas craft ethos.
• Lead sample presentation and fitting sessions, making precise adjustments to patterns, construction, and finishes as required.
• Prepare comprehensive technical packs (tech packs) with graded measurements, fabric/trim details, and construction notes for smooth handover to production.
• Approve final samples for production, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand-aligned craftsmanship.

3. Visual Merchandising

• Design and implement visual merchandising strategies for Nilas retail locations in Jaipur and Jodhpur, ensuring brand consistency and elevated in-store experiences.
• Lead the planning, curation, and installation of seasonal and thematic displays that reflect Nilas values and craft narratives.
• Integrate product storytelling and artisanal impact into merchandising presentations to deepen customer engagement.

4. Photoshoot & Creative Asset Management

• Plan and oversee all aspects of collection photoshoots from creative concept to final delivery. • Develop mood boards, shoot concepts, and storylines that communicate each collection’s inspiration and craftsmanship.

• Coordinate with photographers, stylists, models, and internal teams to ensure visuals are of the highest quality and aligned with brand positioning.

5. Design Calendar & Workflow Management

• Maintain a comprehensive internal design calendar aligned with production and launch timelines.

• Monitor key milestones, ensuring all design deliverables are met according to deadlines.

• Provide regular progress updates and reports to relevant stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability across teams.

6. Team Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Work closely with project and production teams to ensure design feasibility and active artisan involvement in product development.

• Document and archive design processes to support institutional knowledge-building and future reference.

• Collaborate with the UK design team to integrate global creative direction into locally produced collections.

• Participate in regular design reviews, ensuring seamless communication on updates, samples, and development progress.

Skills & Qualifications

• Education & Training: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Fashion/Apparel Design or a related field from a recognized institution.

• Experience: Minimum 7–10 years of proven experience in apparel design and product development, preferably in premium, craft-led, or sustainable fashion brands.

• Technical Proficiency: o Skilled in technical drawing, garment construction, pattern making, and grading. o Expertise in preparing comprehensive technical packs for production. o Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and CAD-based pattern-making software. • Craft Knowledge: Strong understanding of Indian textile traditions, artisanal techniques, natural dyeing, and sustainable materials.

• Collection Development: Proven ability to conceptualize, design, and execute seasonal collections from research to final production.

• Fit & Quality Standards: Strong eye for silhouette, proportion, and finishing, with hands-on experience in fittings and quality control.

• Project & Workflow Management: o Ability to manage design calendars, timelines, and cross-functional coordination. o Strong organizational and multitasking skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Visual Storytelling:

Experience in photoshoot planning, styling, and visual merchandising to translate brand values into compelling narratives.

• Team Collaboration: Proven track record of working closely with production teams, artisans, and global creative teams.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills for presenting ideas, mood boards, and collection concepts.

• Leadership: Experience mentoring junior designers or leading small creative teams.

• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment while balancing creative vision with practical execution. Working Hours & Days

• 5 days a week (Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM).

• May be required to work on Saturdays or outside standard hours when necessary to meet collection deadlines, photoshoot schedules, or production timelines.