Working with us

In this role you will be creating bespoke couture bridal and eveningwear for clients and our VIP’s.

Working with the most luxurious materials, each piece needs to be carefully crafted to the client’s desire. We work as a team, bringing our individual expertise to problem solve each garment during development. Every team member is part of Phillipa’s ‘frock-saw puzzle’ locking together to build a coherent team. You will operate with dedication and pride as part of the talented Phillipa Lepley team.

We are searching for a team player with a long-term commitment to the brand with a love and passion for beautiful couture dresses. You will be joining us at an exciting expanding time, with the recent growth into ‘The Conservatory’ next door to our existing Chelsea shop, alongside our recent luxury Atelier growth to double the space. Your role will be based in the Chelsea Atelier, working hand in hand with our whole artisan team.

We are looking for a warm, charming, punctual, and genuine team player with interpersonal skills, strong values, and integrity. We value initiative and creativity supported by dedication and a strong work ethic. We require someone who strives to build a career at Phillipa Lepley with long term aspirations to grow with our core team.

Ideal Requirements:

• Minimum 10-15 year’s experience working in bridal wear or couture & luxury womenswear product.
• Extensive experience working in a luxury womenswear company that creates couture dresses for clients, both bridal and eveningwear.
• Strong understanding of corsetry, structure and garment construction, patterns and fit
• Confident in handling luxury fabrics, specifically silk satin, satin chiffon, crepe, crepe satin and zibeline
• Excellent knowledge of couture techniques e.g., lace applique, embroidery, draping and moulding luxury fabrics to the highest standards
• Have a delicate handle for fabrics when sewing and achieve the utmost highest quality possible, whilst being precise.
• Accustomed to working to deadlines and being able to multitask across changing priorities.
• Flexibility required at peak times to manage workload.
• A team player with great interpersonal skills
• Clear and concise communicator with pattern makers, sample Cutters, Head of Embellishment and Atelier Directors
• Keep a calm and positive attitude and work hard to fulfil the company’s needs.
• Showcases excellent interpersonal skills and high level of communicative skills.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to join a leading unique and visionary couture brand that is continually pushing the boundaries of design through art and innovation.
• Making truly unique designs in luxury materials
• We offer a great working environment, value our employees and aim to ensure that individuals enjoy job satisfaction whilst developing to their full potential.
• Small, personal, passionate and friendly team.

Phillipa Lepley is offering a couture Embellishment & Atelier Work Experience opportunity for an enthusiastic, responsible, and hardworking fashion, textiles, or embroidery student.

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Phillipa Lepley is London’s go-to couturier for stylish dresses with lasting beauty. Having built up an international reputation over thirty years, by creating stand-out bespoke dresses coupled with impeccable personal service, Phillipa brings to life iconic, timeless, and effortless feminine designs.

Industry experience within the Phillipa Lepley atelier is a wonderful opportunity for successful applicants to gain an insight into the workings of a couture atelier. Primarily shadowing the embellishment department, you will be using the highest quality materials, learning new techniques, and developing your embroidery skills.

What to expect:

• Illustrative sketching / embroidery artwork placement/ CAD / artwork digitising.
• Hand beading/embroidery – working on new season collections, swatches for private clients and VIP pieces.
• Couture hand sewing, hand guided machine embroidery, lace appliqué & trimming.
• Sourcing fabrics and components.
• Supporting other areas of the atelier, preparing resources and maintenance.
• Running errands accordingly.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Excellent hand sewing skills.
• Experience using a domestic sewing machine.
• Good understanding of garment construction and paper patterns for embroidery placement.
• Good communication
• Excellent knowledge of Adobe illustrator
• Good understanding of Adobe photoshop is preferred but not essential

Essential Personal Skills:

• Attention to detail & high standards.
• Keen interest in embellishment & couture finishes.
• Mature & enthusiastic attitude to the way you approach tasks and the workplace.
• Flexible and self-motivated.
• The ability to operate effectively within the team as well as, where appropriate, on your own initiative.

Applications:

In order to be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in full-time education at college or university, studying within the realms of Fashion, Textiles or Embroidery.

Work Experience Schedule:

Please let us know your availability (minimum of 3 months), and your preferred schedule

• Option 1 (2 days per week)
  • Mondays & Fridays only, 10am – 6pm
• Option 2 (3 days per week)
  • Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 10am – 6pm

Expenses

This is unpaid student work experience. Travel expenses within London Zones 1 to 6 are covered in conjunction with the days worked and the cost incurred at the discretion of Phillipa Lepley Limited.

• 2 Day Schedule: Expenses will be reimbursed up to the value of £120 per month.
• 3 Day Schedule: Expenses will be reimbursed up to the value of £170 per month.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to embellishment@phillipalepley.com.

Please note due to a high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.