Lead Fashion Designer (Freelance / Project based)

Salary freelance, negotiable: Rates based on experience. As an early-stage social enterprise, we aim to align values and vision with fair and transparent compensation.

Hours Freelance/project based with option for long term

Location Hybrid - London or Cairo preferred, but open to international collaboration

Manna is a purpose-driven fashion label rooted in cultural richness, emotive storytelling, and artisanal craftsmanship. We are seeking a visionary Lead Fashion Designer to help create a small capsule of pieces to test the market - pieces that can become part of our debut collection. We're looking for someone who thinks deeply, designs poetically, and values the richness of heritage and slow beauty.

You'll lead the design of a thoughtful, high-end womenswear collection that draws inspiration from art, history, and the natural world. Working closely with our founder and textile designer, you'll translate a layered and research-driven creative direction into wearable poetry.

• Deep appreciation for intellectual design with emotive storytelling
• Strong portfolio in womenswear, ideally within luxury or slow fashion
• Experience designing full looks and collections, from silhouettes to trims
• Understanding of natural fabrics, artisanal techniques, and production considerations
• Ability to produce or oversee tech packs, fit specifications, and collection cohesion
• Familiarity with editorial storytelling and thoughtful brand building
• Interest in (or openness to) traveling to Egypt to connect with artisans
• Are curious about historical fashion, interiors, or botany
• Have experience collaborating with textile/print designers
• Value craft, meaning, and design as a form of cultural dialogue

We are also looking for a freelance textile designer / print illustrator to collaborate on this project. If you might be a good fit, please feel free to see our other advert.

Main Duties:

• Design a small capsule of womenswear pieces, guided by a poetic, research-led vision, to test the market and shape Manna's debut collection
• Translate moodboards and conceptual themes into thoughtful silhouettes
• Create tech packs, oversee fit, and collaborate with sample makers
• Work closely with our founder and textile designer to ensure artistic and cultural integrity
• Optional: travel to Egypt to meet artisans and support the vision's implementation

Skills & Experience Required:

• Strong portfolio in womenswear or luxury design
• Familiarity with heritage techniques, natural materials, and slow fashion
• Passion for art, botany, history, interiors, or storytelling through design
• Skilled in creative direction, silhouette development, and production planning
• Editorial or brand-building sensitivity is a plus