Needlework, Embroidery and Embellishment designers are specialised experts who work on specific details for garments or accessories. This can be embroidery, applique, beading or metalwork to add finishing touches to designer pieces.

Embellishment designers may be based in house with a larger designer, work on a freelance basis across multiple brands. They could also have a career working at a supplier or have their own studio.

As an inhouse employee or freelancer, they are responsible for translating a designers’ vision for embellishments into reality, through a process of sampling and testing, working to see if the designs work in real life as well as being possible to produce on a larger scale.

An embellishment designer working for a supplier or having their own studio would produce design swatches to propose to clients, exhibiting new trends, technology or utilising materials in a different way. These samples are then bought by clients and used in house.

Some internationally renowned companies working with luxury brands Jato in Italy and Maison Lessage in France.

The work is both creative and technical. They may be called upon to source materials by a designer, so knowledge of different suppliers and new materials is beneficial to, as well as budget management and working to tight deadlines. Basic hand sewing and sketching skills are required for the creation of 3D examples.