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Simon Edwards

Design Direction I Creative Leadership I Mentorship Advocate
Portfolio website
About

I'm Simon, a seasoned design leader with a rich background cultivated in the dynamic landscape of the global fashion and textile industry. Over the course of my career, I've successfully navigated roles at industry giants, steering teams towards creative excellence and contributing to the strategic growth of each brand. I've worked globally, from Premium Women’s Designer collections to Sports and Active lifestyle brands, covering retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer channels. My expertise lies in not just designing captivating collections but in orchestrating the entire process—from concept to delivery—with an unwavering focus on brand strategy. I take pride in my ability to lead, develop, and coach individuals while implementing efficient design workflows. British native currently based in Germany. Let's connect to explore exciting possibilities.

Previous Brands
CAPTIVE CLOTHING
Dorothy Perkins
Forever New
LC Waikiki
Missguided
PACIFIC HEIGHTS UK
PUMA
Speciality Fashion Group
Wallis Fashion
Zalando
Work Experience
Freelance Design Consultant
Oct ‘23 - Now
Self employed

Apparel design Team Head
Nov ‘19 - Now
PUMA

Leadership of 10 apparel designers working across menswear, womenswear & kidswear. Providing strategic direction to the team through creation of seasonal collections, driving for innovation aligned with brand DNA. Working closely with Head of design and creative director to drive foward the brand DNA, ensuring creative direction is expressed through the sportstyle collections. Lead, inspire and develop individual team members, creating a strong team dynamic. Representing design areas to present concept and creative direction. Drive close cooperations with designers from other product areas to ensure of strong aligned 360 design concepts.

Womenswear Design Lead
Aug ‘17 - Jul ‘19
Zalando

Leadership of 10 apparel designers across two womenswear private label brands, developed assortment from concept to delivery, product guidance for campaigns, set the focus for each customer segmentation.

Freelance Womenswear Design Consultant
Aug ‘17 - Jul ‘19
LC Waikiki

Provided creative direction with trend concept recommendations for Turkey’s largest retailer. Team management of 6 designers for casual womenswear lifestyle.

Design Manager
Jan ‘17 - Aug ‘17
Missguided

Managed and mentored the design team to create innovative and cohesive online and retail collections across Outerwear, Wovens, Knitwear &Jersey Worked closely with buying managers to drive 360 concepts.

Established Designer
Oct ‘13 - Jan ‘15
Wallis Fashion

Lead Designer for Dresses & soft woven's

Womenswear Design Lead
Sep ‘11 - Sep ‘12
Speciality Fashion Group

Provided creative direction with trend, concept recommendations for customer segmentation.

Senior Designer
Jan ‘08 - Sep ‘11
Forever New

Part of founding design team for the brand. Provided trend analysis, product recommendations for smart and casual circular knits. Created design tech packs, sourced fabrics. Managed a team of three designers.

Womenswear Designer
Jan ‘06 - Dec ‘07
Dorothy Perkins

Fashion tops and knits designer for UK heritage womenswear brand.Responsible for daywear, evening and press collections.

Knits Designer
Sep ‘04 - Dec ‘05
PACIFIC HEIGHTS UK

Set up jersey catergory for Knitwear supplier. Developing Knit and Jersey collections for international brands and retailers. Working closely with co-designers, buyers & account managers. Visiting global manufacturing countries for product development.

JUNIOR DESIGNER
Sep ‘02 - Sep ‘04
CAPTIVE CLOTHING

Design development for UK high street brands and retailers across womens jersey apparel.

Languages
English - Fluent
Education & Training
Manchester metropolitan university
‘98 - ‘02
BA Hons
Fashion Design with technology
Nürnberg, Germany