BALENCIAGA - Intern Sustainable Materials Research Assistant - Janvier 2025

Job description

Cristóbal Balenciaga founded the House in 1917 in his home of Spain. In 1937, he established the brand in Paris, designing its collections there until 1968. Cristóbal Balenciaga had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior and as “The Couturier of the Couturiers” by Gabrielle Chanel. The ultra-modern shapes were trademarks of the house. While the brand’s identity is firmly rooted in its highly conceptual prêt-à-porter collections, its leather goods, footwear, and accessories experience worldwide success as well. Among the archetypal products of the House are its handbag collections. A new focus on the development of Balenciaga ready-to-wear collections for men was quickly established as highly successful. Since October 2015, Demna has designed both men’s and women’s collections as the artistic director. The Balenciaga House, part of the Kering group since 2001, is one of the most influential names in fashion.

In the Sustainability team, you will work on researching sustainable and innovative materials and processes for our Accessories and RTW departments, aligning with our sustainability goals and stakeholder priorities.

Main Responsibilities

- Contribute to the research for sustainable concepts, materials, and processes. Ensure the research and sourcing of innovative raw materials and methods align with the sustainability, quality, and performance requirements, the creative briefs, and seasonal calendar timelines.

- Collaborate with operation teams and suppliers to develop novel sustainable materials and techniques that fulfill both excellence and sustainability goals.

Support with mechanical, chemical, and analytical expertise of materials.

- Contribute to developing the application of eco-conception practices in design and development teams

- Conduct a permanent intelligence watch on sustainable materials, processes, and technology innovation opportunities appropriate for fashion in close partnership with internal and external partners.

- Provide regular progress reports of projects and data analysis, report insights to key stakeholders, escalate issues as appropriate, and suggest opportunities to improve our sustainable sourcing further.

- Maintain the internal Materials and Innovations Database

What experiences are key to succeed in this position?

- Robust awareness of the sustainability concepts and impacts specific to the fashion industry.

- First internship (consulting firm or company) with Sustainability specialization

- Experience in material and processes development is appreciated

- You are targeting an Engineering or Master’s degree in sustainable materials, materials and/or chemical science, or comparable degree/education.

What are the main knowledge and competencies  required to be effective in the position?

- Delivering high-quality outcomes through a structured, analytical and data-supported approach.

- Full mastering of Powerpoint and Excel.

- Excellent work organization and project management skills

- Great rigor of synthesis and analysis.

- Excellent writing and speaking skills, both in French and English. Italian is a plus Knowledge of the Life Cycle Analysis method is an asset.

Strong networking and relational skills, numerous interactions with both internal and external stakeholders.

What are the other qualities that will enable success?

- High autonomy and a good team spirit who constantly strives to make a significant positive impact.

- Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

- Excellent communication and presentation skills in writing and speaking.

- Curiosity and openness to innovation

Leadership Behaviors

INCLUSION

You create a high-performing team and foster a fair and respectful environment where each individual's uniqueness is valued

VIGILANCE

You anticipate opportunities and threats so as to lead in the long run

AUDACITY

You are quick to seize opportunities, turning potential failures into success

TENACITY

You are true to your ambition when times get tough and weather the storms with your team

·  Full time
·  Europe
·  France