Head of Atelier Couture

Job Title:

Head of Atelier / Premier(e) d’ Atelier

Recruitment and candidate selections exclusively by Isrid Agency

Company:
Pre-launch high-end fashion startup

Location:

The Netherlands, Rotterdam / The Hague region

Job Type: Full-Time | Hybrid

Isrid is open to meet candidates from any location in Europe or the world.

In the case Isrid will select you to set up an interview, she will disclose more information about this start-up, the vision and the CEO/Creative Director behind the brand.

Update on this vacancy:
We have recruited and are currently onboarding elite talent for our key development team ( materials & sourcing, (digital) Creative Design etc ). We also found a talented and matching candidate for the Head of Atelier, but unfortunately, due to recent private reasons, he is not able to embark on this brand team. We are now open to meet new candidates for this role.

About the Company and the Role:
We are a well-funded, forward-thinking fashion startup with global ambitions. Our aesthetic is defined by black, sculptural, daring design rooted in avant‑garde haute couture. Inspired by the likes of Rick Owens, Alaïa, Yohji Yamamoto and Chrome Hearts, our mission is to challenge the boundaries of contemporary high‑end fashion and beyond.

Founded by fashion‑forward thinking and company building experts, we are only focused on developing daring creations. If it’s been done before, we’re not interested. As we prepare for our launch, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Atelier to establish and lead our in‑house atelier. The initial task at hand will be to work with the founders and CEO/ Creative Director to build out the physical atelier and hire the staff starting s means we have an opportunity to build from scratch in a modern, brand new space, and get everything exactly right.

We have budget and a vision: a rare combination and key requirements for success.

Your main responsibility is to turn our designs into physical garments of the highest standard while building and managing a skilled team of artisans from the ground up. Timelessness and the play between opposites are central to the design approach. The collections offer a historical‑futuristic take on classic styles, blending flowing lines with bold geometric forms. Each piece is crafted with couture‑level precision for both men and women, without following the usual seasonal fashion cycles.

The brand also embraces advanced technology, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to expand the design process. The perfect candidate has developed and built teams from the ground up before and has the vision and capabilities to lead by example.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the creation and scaling of the in‑house atelier

Recruit, mentor, and manage a team of specialist craftsmen

Translate avant‑garde design concepts into technically sound garments

Collaborate closely with the CEO/Creative Director and Design Team

Oversee fittings, prototyping, and final garment execution

Set and maintain couture‑level quality and construction standards

Build sourcing pipelines and technical workflows

Core Expertise

Required:

Hand‑stitching & finishing

Advanced fitting & alterations

Leather work

Luxury finishing techniques

Leadership & Operations:

Experience leading couture or luxury fashion teams

Strong industry network

Workflow and atelier setup experience

Clear communication between creative and technical functions

Deep appreciation for radical, black‑driven fashion aesthetics

Candidate Profile

+10 years experience in a Head of Atelier role

Multiple years in couture or high‑end fashion creation

Passionate about experimental design and craftsmanship

Visionary, organized, and detail‑oriented

Willing to relocate or travel as needed

Fluent in English, written and spoken

Ideally, fluent in French, written and spoken

What We Offer:

A rare opportunity to help build a high‑end fashion house from its inception

An intellectually rigorous, collaborative environment driven by long‑term vision

Competitive compensation and long‑term incentives

Access to industry‑shaping minds in both business and design

#J-18808-Ljbffr