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 RoleLead the creative direction and overall strategy for the dresses category across all collectionsTranslate market trends, runway research, and customer insights into commercially successful product conceptsOversee the full design and development process from initial concept through to final approvalDrive innovation in silhouette, fabrication, colour, print, and detailing while maintaining brand consistencyCollaborate closely with buying and merchandising teams to align creative vision with commercial objectivesManage fittings and product reviews to ensure exceptional fit, quality, and executionBuild and mentor a high-performing design team, encouraging creativity and developmentPresent seasonal concepts, mood boards, and collection strategies to senior leadershipMonitor competitor activity and emerging trends to identify new opportunities within the marketEnsure collections are delivered in line with key deadlines and business prioritiesRequirementsExtensive experience within womenswear design, with a strong focus on dressesPrevious experience operating at Senior Designer, Head of Design, or Design Director levelProven ability to lead and inspire creative teams within a fast-paced fashion environmentStrong commercial awareness alongside a highly developed creative eyeExcellent understanding of garment construction, fabrication, fit, and product developmentStrong trend forecasting and market analysis capabilitiesAbility to balance innovation with commercial performanceExcellent communication and presentation skillsHighly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlinesProficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant industry design software