Alaïa Materials Buyer — Ready-to-Wear Collection
Alaia in Paris seeks a Materials Buyer (Ready-to-Wear Collection) to source fabrics and trims for womenswear RTW collections.
Overview
Alaia is a Parisian couture and ready-to-wear fashion house celebrated for its sculptural silhouettes, meticulous tailoring and artisanal savoir‑faire. The brand operates with an emphasis on craftsmanship, close collaboration between design and production, and a discreet, atelier‑driven approach to luxury fashion.
Role & Responsibilities
- Source and procure fabrics, trims and ancillary materials for the Ready‑to‑Wear collection while respecting creative intent and seasonal mood boards.
- Identify, evaluate and develop suppliers and mills; negotiate commercial terms, lead times and minimums to achieve cost and quality targets.
- Manage purchase orders, delivery schedules and supplier performance to ensure timely receipt of materials for sampling and production.
- Coordinate cross‑functionally with design, technical design and production teams to translate design requirements into material specifications and lab dips.
- Oversee quality control and testing of incoming materials; manage non‑conformances and corrective actions with suppliers.
- Maintain and update fabric libraries, sourcing archives and material cost databases; monitor market trends and sustainable material innovations.
- Represent the brand at trade shows and supplier visits to broaden the vendor network and secure exclusive developments when appropriate.
Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of textile constructions, finishes, trims and garment applications relevant to womenswear RTW.
- Proven negotiation skills and commercial acumen with the ability to manage price breakdowns and margin impact.
- Excellent organisational skills with experience managing multiple seasonal projects and complex delivery calendars.
- Ability to read and interpret technical packs, lab dips and quality reports; familiarity with fabric testing protocols.
- Professional poise for supplier relationships and cross‑departmental collaboration in a creative environment.
Skills
Experience
3–5 years of buying or sourcing experience in luxury fashion or premium apparel, with direct responsibility for fabrics and trims for women’s ready‑to‑wear collections. Experience working with European and Mediterranean mills is an advantage.
Education
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in textiles, fashion design, sourcing, supply chain, business or a related discipline.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Paris, Île-de-France, France. 3.316 luxury roles are listed in Paris on Cerulean, 67 posted in the last 48 hours. Across the Île-de-France region, Cerulean lists 3.727 open positions — 101 listed in the past two days. Cerulean currently advertises 4.275 open roles in France, including 127 added in the last 48 hours.
Culture
Alaia cultivates a workshop‑style culture that prizes craftsmanship, close teamwork and attention to detail. The workplace values creative integrity and discreet professionalism, with sourcing and production closely aligned to the house’s artisanal standards.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.