Head of Shoe Design Paris

Q: What is the difference between a Senior Designer and a Head of Design?

A Senior Designer executes. A Head of Shoe Design manages the strategy, the team, and the coherence of the entire line.

Q: Can you work on-site in Paris?

Yes. I can work from your Paris HQ for a set number of days per week to manage the team effectively.

Q: Do you handle the budget?

I work closely with Merchandising to respect target prices and development budgets, ensuring financial viability.

In Brief: Executive Leadership

Role: Interim or Fractional **Head of Shoe Design** based in Paris.

Target: Luxury brands needing strategic leadership, not just execution.

Scope: Collection strategy, team management, brand DNA definition, and industrial oversight.

Experience: 15 years leading footwear divisions for major luxury houses.

Your brand is growing, or perhaps you are in a transition period between Creative Directors. You don't just need new sketches; you need a vision. You need someone to organize the collection plan, mentor the junior team, and ensure the product strategy aligns with your financial goals.

Numero Studio offers a flexible, high-level solution: an **Interim Head of Shoe Design** based in Paris. I step in to lead your footwear division with the authority and expertise of a seasoned executive, ensuring stability and creative excellence.

More Than Design: Strategic Footwear Leadership

A **Head of Shoe Design** does not simply draw. They build the architecture of the collection. My role is to bridge the gap between the Creative Director's vision and the Merchandising team's requirements.

My Executive Services in Paris

Collection Architecture: Defining the Range Plan (Open-to-Buy), balancing carry-overs, seasonal animations, and "Hero" products.
Team Management: Mentoring your in-house junior designers, correcting their work, and improving team workflow.
Brand DNA Guarding: Ensuring that every shoe developed respects the codes and heritage of your Maison.

The "Fractional" Head of Design Model

Hiring a full-time Head of Design is a long, expensive process. The "Fractional" model allows you to bring in this expertise immediately for 2 or 3 days a week.

Based in Paris, I can be physically present at your headquarters to drive meetings, validate prototypes, and report directly to the CEO or Artistic Director.

How I Lead Your Footwear Division

My methodology is designed to bring structure to creativity.

Phase 1: Audit & Strategy

I analyze your past sales, your current team structure, and your market positioning. We define the strategic roadmap for the next 2 seasons.

Phase 2: Creative Direction & Orchestration

I set the themes and the timeline. I distribute tasks among your team (or external freelancers) and supervise the creative output to ensure it hits the "luxury standard".

Phase 3: Industrial Validation

I oversee the development phase, validating lasts, heels, and materials with your product developers to ensure the final product is profitable and producible.

FAQs regarding the Head of Shoe Design Role

What is the difference between a Senior Designer and a Head of Design?

A Senior Designer executes products. A **Head of Shoe Design** manages the strategy, the team, and the coherence of the entire line. They solve problems before they reach the production stage.

Can you work on-site in Paris?

Yes. For this level of responsibility, physical presence is key. I can work from your Paris HQ for a set number of days per week to manage the team effectively.

Do you handle the budget?

I work closely with your Merchandising and Production directors to respect the target prices (FOB) and development budget, ensuring the creative vision is financially viable.