Product Research & Development Associate
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Job Description
About Moutonière:
Moutonière is a new luxury house creating limited-edition collections designed by contemporary artists and produced by heritage artisans. Their debut collection, launched at Paris Fashion Week, features hand-screen printed silk scarves from Como, Italy, using original artwork from renowned contemporary artists. The company is expanding into jewelry, apparel, objects, and other categories.
Job Description: Product Research & Development Associate
Moutonière seeks a Product Research & Development Associate to contribute to the research, exploration, and development of future product lines. This role demands a highly organized, visually-oriented individual with strong research skills and a passion for luxury goods and craftsmanship. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the founders and Brand Curator.
Key Responsibilities:
• Research & Inspiration Gathering: Investigate potential product categories (jewelry, clothing, objets d’art, etc.) aligning with Moutonière’s brand identity. Conduct thorough research encompassing materials, historical context, design precedents, craft traditions, production methods, and artisan sources. Compile visual references, mood boards, and detailed research reports to present product possibilities clearly to the founding team.
• Development Support: Collaborate with the co-founders and Brand Curator to refine collection concepts and seasonal directions. Globally source materials, techniques, and artisan partners. Develop preliminary specifications, sketches, and visual briefs for sampling or prototyping. Maintain a comprehensive archive of materials, processes, and supplier information.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Brand Curator and Pop-up Specialist to ensure alignment between product development, creative direction, and experiential goals. Provide the Social and Digital teams with product insights, stories, and visual process information for marketing campaigns. Assist with project timelines and handoffs to production partners.
Qualifications:
• 2–4 years of experience in product research, design development, trend forecasting, or creative strategy.
• Strong visual skills and refined aesthetic sensibilities. The ability to recognize aesthetically pleasing designs.
• Proficiency in drawing and creating technical sketches.
• Familiarity with fashion, fine art, design history, and craft traditions.
• Exceptional research skills (both digital and analog).
• Excellent communication skills; proficiency in creating presentations, mood boards, and briefs.
• Resourcefulness, proactiveness, and the ability to solve open-ended creative problems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, founder-led environment.
Bonus Qualifications:
• Experience working with luxury brands, ateliers, or product-based studios.
Portfolio Requirement: Applicants must submit a portfolio, mood board, visual essay, or similar work sample showcasing their creative process and inspirations, with a particular emphasis on visual research and idea translation.
