Alteration Specialist

Overview

Chanel is an independent, global luxury house known for its haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and beauty lines. Renowned for artisanal craftsmanship and exacting quality standards, the brand sustains an international network of ateliers and boutiques where heritage techniques and modern innovation coexist.

Role & Responsibilities

• Execute high-precision garment alterations and repairs for couture, ready-to-wear and accessory items, ensuring adherence to Chanel quality standards.
• Conduct client fittings and measure adjustments, advising on fit solutions while preserving original design intent and garment integrity.
• Perform hand-sewing, invisible hemming, re-lining, reconstruction and detailed finishing work specific to couture techniques.
• Modify patterns and drape directly on garments to implement bespoke changes in collaboration with the atelier's patternmakers and design teams.
• Operate and maintain industrial and domestic sewing equipment (e.g., straight-stitch machines, overlockers) and hand tools to deliver flawless workmanship.
• Document alteration requests, track work orders and maintain accurate records of client preferences and garment histories.
• Inspect incoming and outgoing garments for quality control, ensuring all alterations meet brand presentation and durability requirements.
• Manage a small inventory of alteration materials (linings, threads, interfacing, buttons, zippers) and request replenishments as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in garment alterations or tailoring, preferably within a luxury or couture environment.
• Demonstrable mastery of couture hand-stitching techniques and fine finishing.
• Strong knowledge of pattern alteration, draping and garment construction principles.
• Ability to work meticulously with delicate fabrics and embellishments (silk, sequins, beading, lace, feathers).
• Excellent client-facing manner with discretion and service orientation during fittings.
• Capacity to prioritize multiple bespoke assignments while maintaining consistent quality.

Skills

Experience

Several years of hands-on experience in tailoring or alterations, with direct exposure to high-value or couture garments. Prior work in luxury ateliers or with premium fashion brands is strongly preferred.

Education

Vocational diploma or formal training in tailoring/garment construction preferred; equivalent apprenticeship or on-the-job couture experience accepted.

Culture

The workplace emphasizes artisanal excellence, meticulous attention to detail and respect for heritage techniques. Teams operate in a collaborative, client-focused atelier environment where discretion, craftsmanship and consistency are paramount.