Design Director - Dresses - Contemporary Fashion Brand

Mode Executive is supporting a leading contemporary fashion brand in the search for a Design Director – Dresses. This opportunity is suited to a highly creative and commercially minded womenswear leader with a strong background in dress design, trend direction, and category development. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the creative vision and driving the continued growth of the dresses division across seasonal collections. This position is based in LA and would require relocation. Full relocation and visa support will be provided for the successful candidate. The role operates on a hybrid working model with four days based in the office and one day working from home. Working within a collaborative, fast-paced studio environment, the position partners closely with buying, merchandising, production, and product development teams. The Role Lead the creative direction and overall strategy for the dresses category across all collections Translate market trends, runway research, and customer insights into commercially successful product concepts Oversee the full design and development process from initial concept through to final approval Drive innovation in silhouette, fabrication, colour, print, and detailing while maintaining brand consistency Collaborate closely with buying and merchandising teams to align creative vision with commercial objectives Manage fittings and product reviews to ensure exceptional fit, quality, and execution Build and mentor a high-performing design team, encouraging creativity and development Present seasonal concepts, mood boards, and collection strategies to senior leadership Monitor competitor activity and emerging trends to identify new opportunities within the market Ensure collections are delivered in line with key deadlines and business priorities Requirements Extensive experience within womenswear design, with a strong focus on dresses Previous experience operating at Senior Designer, Head of Design, or Design Director level Proven ability to lead and inspire creative teams within a fast-paced fashion environment Strong commercial awareness alongside a highly developed creative eye Excellent understanding of garment construction, fabrication, fit, and product development Strong trend forecasting and market analysis capabilities Ability to balance innovation with commercial performance Excellent communication and presentation skills Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant industry design software #J-18808-Ljbffr Mode Executive