Style Expertise Manager

The Style Expertise Manager plays a vital role in building the Chanel Difference and in engaging clients to the Brand. She or he is the Style reference locally and ensures the right fashion messages and personalized styling advice, in line with the spirit and the allure of each collection, are delivered to our clients through our boutiques. She or he develops a team of Style Experts and Style Advisors who will then coach the rest of the boutique team in terms of styling to achieve brand leadership in line with global strategy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Develop Styling skills in our people in boutique:
1. Talents’ Mapping / Recruitment / Evaluation / Promotion

• Identify potential Style Advisors / Style Experts / Sr. Style Expert in line with headcount target: selection, observation, and validation together with Retail / HOBs;
• Elevate and evaluate the progress in styling of each existing talents;
• Define together with HOB / DHOB / Sr. Style Expert Individual Development Plan based on the “Style Advisor / Style Expert Profile and Progress Report";
• Define together with HOB Individual Development Plan based on the “Sr. Style Expert Profile and Progress Report";
• Promote the Styling Career path and roles internally and external talents spotting.

2. Coaching / Training to Style Expert / Style Advisor with Sr. Style Expert

• Elevate the styling skills in our talents to ensure the allure of each collection & the Style of CHANEL (DNA) is conveyed to our clients;
• Drive floor-coaching for Style Experts / Style Advisors on frequent basis, act as a personal mentor in styling;
• Adapt Training Curriculum locally for Style Expert / Style Advisors: a) Hold Collection workshops at least 4 times a year (Podium collections); b) Hold Style Workshops at least 2 times a year;
• Ensure the right content is cascaded by styling team to the right boutique audience (FA, WFJ specialist…) in line with regional & local Style Expertise recommendations;
• Partner with Learning (area training manager & RLDP) to infuse Style to new Fashion Advisors (Style Fundamentals);
• Drive, animation and moderation of Fashion Community APP locally;
• Animate the community of Style Experts / Style Advisors on frequent basis & grow awareness on Fashion Industry: Fashion trends, environment, and culture;
• Create awareness and passion around Fashion & Style overall with FAs in selected occasions and / or through selected platforms.

B. Influence Buyers in terms of Styling:
1. Buys

• Impulse Style & CHANEL silhouette around latest Runway: inspirations, look decryption, accessorization principles, starting from the buys with retail and styling team;
• Attend Buying Sessions in Shanghai and occasionally Paris (Podium collections only);
• Promote Key Fashion Looks (RTW and Accessories) from the collection with styling team and cascade to Retail showing alternative ways to wear in client’s lifestyle (RTW recap pieces & other accessories);
• Create Fashion awareness beyond CHANEL: Podium trends.

2. Internal Style partnership when relevant

• Contribute to Fashion orchestration from a styling point of view for collection and product launches (ex: CHANEL 22, MDA collection, local Image events, WFJ…);
• Offer styling service / consulting / class internally (ex: HR, WFJ…).

C. Enrich Clients’ experience in styling

1. Client Styling Appointment

• Drive Styling Services locally in collaboration with local Retail (RM) and Marketing/VIC Team (CEM & VIC area Manager, VIC RLDP) and animate special styling appointments in boutique when relevant;
• With Sr. Style Expert provide styling & presentation guidance (role-modeling) to Style Experts / Style Advisors, regarding styling appointments, esp. developing personalized relationship with VIC from a Styling point of view.

2. Events

• Support clients’ events and liaise between CHANEL speakers and clients together with the Styling team and the boutique team;
• Be a local speaker during collection events to inspire the team and the clients on the collection.

what you can bring to the team

Academic / Professional Qualifications 

• University graduated or above
• Fashion, Design or Art degree is a plus

Work Experience 

• Proven styling skills 
• 10 years of experience in luxury fashion: retail, merchandising, training or VM

Functional Competencies: 

• Passion for Fashion, Style and Lifestyle
• Fashion flair / styling skills / sophistication / creativity
• Solid level of knowledge of fashion environment & trends
• Good knowledge of Fashion history and culture
• Knowledge of Ready-To-Wear luxury
• Deep understanding of clients’ lifestyle and needs
• Clients’ service excellence mindset
• Inspiring personal style & sophistication (grooming)
• Strong presentation and communication skills
• Solid people skills / coaching skills
• Buying skills and good understanding of Product strategy
• Strong team and collaboration spirit
• Good planning skills
• Proficient in English and in local language