Head of Atelier

Job Title: Head of Atelier

Location: Woburn Walk, Bloomsbury, London WC1H

Reports to: Managing Director

Working alongside: Production Manager

Responsible for: Fitter, Seamstresses, Pattern cutters, Apprentices and Interns in the studio.

Working Hours: Full Time, Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 6pm, 45 minute lunch

Contract: Permanent

Job Purpose

Responsible for performing alterations and leading the atelier team for all new season collections and bridal alterations. 

You will maintain up to date processes, liaising between departments and ensuring smooth and professional day-to-day running of the department.

Work closely with the Fitter and Production Manager to ensure all department needs are met in order to produce orders in a timely manner.

To have a comprehensive knowledge of the Halfpenny London standards, and ensure these are met through regularly revised processes, quality of product, and professional conduct.

Key duties & responsibilities:

• Prepare and run a well organized atelier for alterations and new collection development with exceptional construction skills and technical knowledge
• Assist with Halfpenny London events
• Manage bespoke timeline and fittings
• Sewing alterations and new collection toiles each season in line with your schedule.
• Flexibility to step into fittings when needed

STUDIO

• Delegate and execute alterations between yourself and seamstresses from Fittings handover.     
• Maintaining utmost quality and finish of each product through in-house production and alterations.
• Technically support seamstresses, pattern cutter and production department.
• Manage the timeline of client dresses in the studio from fittings through to alterations and collection.
• Working alongside the Production Manager to allocate time and space in the studio for in house production.
• Planning and dividing the workload between the pattern cutter and seamstresses in the studio, giving clear instructions for all tasks within a project.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Work closely with Creative Director & Assistant during development of new collection and facilitate all workflow aspects from concept to design to production sign off.
• Attend all fittings – take detailed notes and supply your team with updated fit notes.
• Assist pattern cutter and production manager with product specs to handover to Production. Good product knowledge of all Halfpenny London collections.
• Flag any production and quality issues throughout a style’s cycle and work together with Production to find solutions.
• Develop and standardize workmanship techniques for production.

STAFFING

• Interview interns with Production Manager.
• Manage studio interns according to your studio plan.
• Schedule freelance seamstresses in line with monthly budgets.
• Book and manage cutter during times of demand during new season production.
• Provide training to new studio interns by reading through intern handbook with new interns – training.
• Managing the Production Assistant and Studio Apprentice to assist you with administration tasks and organization of the in house production, preparation of bridal orders and general smooth running of the studio.

The Candidate:

You are intelligent, optimistic, aesthetic-driven, and solution oriented person who thrives from working with a luxury product.

• Excellent experience with alterations for evening and luxury garments.
• Great understanding of patterns and creating bespoke garments.
• You will lead with initiative and a self drive.
• You will be highly organized and run a clear diary for your team. Setting clear objectives and achievable deadlines.
• You will operate in a professional manner, as a proud representative of Halfpenny London, and the culture of the brand. This means bringing a problem solving attitude, a friendly approach, and a courteous manner in all dealings.
• You will lead by example to the freelancers and interns. Inspiring them to be the best version of themselves, while assisting you.
• You will report to the MD on staff performance within the studio.
• You will feedback to the MD on systems in place and changes you suggest.
• Ability to work positively within a team.
• Strong communication skills
• Personal accountability and integrity
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills to meet all seasonal deadlines.
• Eager to learn and adapt to new systems and processes

Note: This list is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job. The content above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to the role. This does not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.