Director of R&D (Research & Development)

ABOUT LOVESHACKFANCY

LoveShackFancy, founded in 2013 by Rebecca Hessel Cohen, is a global fashion, beauty, childrenswear, accessories, home, and lifestyle brand celebrated for its romantic, vintage-inspired aesthetic and cult-like community. Known for its immersive, whimsical interiors, the brand has grown to 25 boutiques across the U.S. and London. Signature ruffles, pink, and bows anchor the collections, while storytelling and pioneering community-driven experiences have shaped LoveShackFancy into more than a fashion label—it’s a shared lifestyle movement. Coveted collaborations include Victoria’s Secret PINK, Gap, Target, Stanley, Pottery Barn, Bogner, and more. In 2023, LoveShackFancy launched Beauty exclusively at Sephora, inviting millions into its rose-colored world of whimsy and celebration.

Role Overview:

The Director of R&D (Research & Development) is responsible for driving innovation, fabric and material exploration, and product development strategy across the brand. This role partners closely with Design, Production, and Merchandising, to ensure new concepts, materials, and construction techniques are commercially viable, on brand, and scalable.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise, a strong aesthetic point of view, and a passion for innovation within fashion and lifestyle products.

Key Responsibilities:

Innovation & Product Development

Lead R&D strategy across categories, identifying new materials, fabrics, trims, techniques, and construction methods that elevate the brand

Research and develop new product concepts from ideation through production readiness

Partner with Design to translate creative vision into technically sound, manufacturable products

Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and material innovations

Fabric, Materials & Testing

Oversee fabric and material research, testing, and approval processes

Collaborate with mills, vendors, and suppliers to develop exclusive or custom materials

Ensure all materials meet quality, performance, and compliance standards

Support sustainability initiatives through responsible material sourcing and innovation

Cross-Functional Leadership

Serve as a key liaison between Design, Production, Sourcing, Merchandising, and Quality teams

Align R&D timelines with seasonal calendars and production milestones

Support cost engineering and margin goals while maintaining design integrity

Troubleshoot technical challenges and propose solutions throughout development

Process & Systems

Establish and refine R&D workflows, documentation, and development standards

Build seasonal boards for merch review and other cross functional presentation

Build scalable processes that support growth while maintaining quality and creativity

Manage development libraries (fabrics, trims, techniques, testing results)

Qualifications:

10+ years of experience in product development, R&D, or technical design within fashion or lifestyle brands

Prior leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives

Deep knowledge of fabrics, materials, garment construction, and manufacturing processes

Strong understanding of cost, margins, and production scalability

Proven ability to balance creative vision with technical execution

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Experience working with global vendors and suppliers

Proficiency with PLM systems and development tools