Fabric Development Manager (Woven)
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Chanel — Paris: Fabric Development Manager (Woven) to lead warp & weft fabric development for luxury collections.
Overview
Chanel is an independent global luxury house renowned for haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, fine jewelry and beauty. The brand is celebrated for its artisanal savoir‑faire, rigorous standards of quality and a culture that blends heritage craftsmanship with contemporary innovation.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead the technical development of woven fabrics (warp and weft) from concept through industrialisation, ensuring alignment with creative and production briefs.
- Translate design intent into detailed technical specifications, fabric constructions and prototyping plans; supervise sample development and fit sessions.
- Coordinate cross‑functional workflows with design, sourcing, quality assurance and production teams to meet timing, cost and quality targets.
- Manage relationships with strategic fabric suppliers and external mills, negotiating technical requirements, lead times and compliance with brand standards.
- Implement quality controls and testing protocols for fabric performance, durability and finishing; drive corrective actions when standards are not met.
- Introduce material innovation and sustainable alternatives while preserving the luxury aesthetic and hand of the fabrics.
- Supervise, mentor and prioritise the workload of junior development technicians and specialists assigned to woven projects.
Qualifications
- Degree in textile engineering, material science, fashion technology or equivalent vocational training in textiles.
- Proven expertise in woven fabric constructions (warp & weft) and hands‑on experience with prototyping and sample management.
- Demonstrated ability to produce clear technical dossiers, fabric specifications and tolerance sheets for industrial partners.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience managing supplier relationships in a luxury or premium apparel environment.
- Capacity to manage multiple concurrent projects to strict deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
Skills
Experience
Approximately 5+ years of progressive experience in textile or fabric development with significant exposure to woven fabrics; prior experience in a luxury, premium ready‑to‑wear or haute couture environment preferred, including supplier coordination and industrialisation.
Education
Degree or professional qualification in textile engineering, material science, fashion technology, or equivalent.
Culture
Chanel cultivates a workshop‑like environment that prizes artisanal excellence, discretion and meticulous attention to detail. The workplace balances deep respect for heritage craftsmanship with a drive for material innovation and collaborative, cross‑disciplinary problem solving.