Alaïa Senior Designer
Alaia seeks a Senior Designer in Paris to lead womenswear collection development, oversee atelier sampling and preserve the house aesthetic.
Overview
Alaia is a Paris-based luxury fashion house renowned for its sculptural approach to womenswear and meticulous atelier craftsmanship. The brand maintains a reputation for exacting standards, artisanal construction and a discreet, couture-led creative process that attracts discerning clients and top-tier design talent.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead the creative and technical development of womenswear collections from concept through to production, ensuring alignment with the house aesthetic.
- Direct and mentor a team of designers and ateliers, assigning tasks, reviewing work, and fostering professional development.
- Produce and sign off on detailed technical packs, fit protocols and sampling schedules; coordinate fit sessions and refine patterns until final approval.
- Select fabrics, trims and embellishments in close collaboration with sourcing teams and suppliers, balancing innovation with manufacturability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with creative direction, product development, merchandising and production to meet delivery timelines and quality standards.
- Conduct trend research and market analysis to inform creative direction while preserving the brand's signature identity.
- Present collection concepts and line rationale to senior leadership and participate in showroom and client-facing presentations as required.
Qualifications
- Minimum 6–8 years of progressive design experience within luxury womenswear, with proven exposure to both couture and ready-to-wear processes.
- Demonstrable portfolio of executed collections showing strong silhouette development, fabric understanding and technical competency.
- Advanced practical skills in draping, pattern-cutting and garment construction with an eye for fit and finish.
- Proven experience managing small teams and working within atelier environments; strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities.
- Ability to translate creative concepts into technical documentation and to work within strict production schedules.
Skills
Experience
At least 6–8 years of hands-on design experience in luxury womenswear, including direct responsibility for developing seasonal collections, supervising sampling and working with couture or high-end production ateliers.
Education
Degree or diploma in Fashion Design, Fashion Technology, or equivalent professional experience in luxury apparel design.
Workplace
This position is based in Paris, Île-de-France, France. Cerulean lists 3.348 open roles in Paris, including 49 posted recently. The broader Île-de-France area accounts for 3.762 active listings on Cerulean, 64 of which are new. In France as a whole, Cerulean currently features 4.319 open positions, with 78 posted this week.
Culture
Alaia fosters a studio-driven culture centred on artisanal excellence, discretion and an uncompromising approach to craft. The workplace is collaborative and hands-on, where senior designers are expected to combine creative leadership with technical mastery and close engagement with atelier teams.
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.