Khaka Artist

Khaka ArtistLocation: Mumbai, MaharashtraEmployment Type: Full-TimeAbout SDS by KUSHAL SHAH:- SDS by KUSHAL SHAH is a men’s luxury brand specializing in Prêt, Couture, and Bespoke. - We focus on refined design aesthetics, craftsmanship, and service, creating a seamless balance between luxury and contemporary style. - Rooted in an edgy yet timeless design philosophy, our collections reflect an evolving yet consistent creative vision. - Our parent company, Sheetal, has been a pioneer in Indian fashion retail for over 50 years - Industry icons such as Hemant Trivedi, Manish Malhotra, and Aki Narula began their creative journeys at SDS before launching their own labels.Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs)1. Detailed Sketching & Visual Development- Produce meticulous khaka (tracing) sketches, technical illustrations, and hand-drawn or digital renderings for garment detailing, embroidery, motifs, borders, and surface ornamentation. - Translate creative concepts into precise visual guides used for sampling, stitching, and final garment execution. - Maintain consistency, clarity, and accuracy in all drawing outputs to support pattern making and production workflows. Shine2. Embroidery Design & Motif Creation- Develop intricate embroidery patterns and surface designs that align with seasonal narrative, brand language, and menswear aesthetics. - Adapt traditional techniques (e.g., thread-work, sequins, beadwork) into contemporary menswear applications. - Collaborate with embroiderers and artisans to digitize or render designs for hand and machine embroidery.3. Technical Design & Garment Construction Support- Incorporate garment construction awareness, tailoring logic, and fit considerations into sketches to ensure designs are manufacturable and production-ready. - Work with pattern makers and samplers to clarify technical details, seam finishes, panel placements, and embroidery positioning. - Assist in developing tech packs or annotated design sheets (manual/digital) for sampling and production handoff.4. Trend & Reference Research- Stay updated with global and Indian fashion trends, traditional surface techniques, motifs, and embroidery innovations relevant to menswear. - Source reference visuals, fabrics, trims, and color directions to support concept development and elevate design vocabulary. - Provide mood boards and trend maps to designers to shape narrative and collection direction.5. Collaboration & Communication- Work closely with designers, pattern masters, production teams, and craftsmen to ensure clarity of intent and execution integrity. - Attend design reviews and sampling sessions to provide visual context, answer queries, and refine sketches or techniques. - Liaise with sampling units, embroiderers, and production houses to troubleshoot challenges and revise khakas as needed.6. Quality Control & Consistency- Maintain extremely high standards for all sketches and design outputs — ensuring precision, proportion accuracy, and fidelity to concept. - Conduct self-review of all work for consistency across pieces, technical coherence, and alignment with collection aesthetics. - Support quality review checkpoints during sample development and pre-production stages.7. Digital & Software Integration- Prepare hand-drawn design work for digital alignment with production workflows — scanning, cleaning, and translating into editable formats (e.g., vector/AI files). - If needed, assist in creating digitized patterns or embroidery files that can integrate with CAD, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, or embroidery digitizer software.Required Skills & QualificationsArtistic & Technical Skills- Exceptional sketching ability — both hand-drawn and precision rendering. - Strong understanding of embroidery design, surface embellishment, and pattern development. - Familiarity with garment construction, tailoring elements, and finishing details. - Experience with or willingness to learn digital design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, or embroidery digitizing software.Fashion & Industry Knowledge- Good grasp of menswear design principles, textiles, threads, and embellishment materials. - Awareness of fashion trends, motif languages, cultural influences, and luxury sartorial cues. - Ability to interpret design briefs with clarity and convert them into production-ready visuals.Collaboration & Communication- Excellent communication and teamwork skills to work effectively with design, sampling, and production teams. - Ability to receive feedback and iterate quickly while maintaining artistic integrity and technical accuracy.