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Head of Design / Design Director for premium sportswear and fashion tech, I bring 15+ years of experience across premium fashion, sportswear and innovation-driven apparel. Rooted in classical fashion design and shaped by international experience, I am known for building and leading design teams, shaping brand and product vision, and translating innovation into market-relevant collections.\n\nI partner with brands to define design language, drive product development and establish scalable design systems. My work spans from early concept through development and sourcing, with a track record of collaborating across marketing, production and partners to deliver performance-led, fashion-focused collections.…Head of Design / Design Director for premium sportswear and fashion tech, I bring 15+ years of experience across premium fashion, sportswear and innovation-driven apparel. Rooted in classical fashion design and shaped by international experience, I am known for building and leading design teams, shaping brand and product vision, and translating innovation into market-relevant collections.\n\nI partner with brands to define design language, drive product development and establish scalable design systems. My work spans from early concept through development and sourcing, with a track record of collaborating across marketing, production and partners to deliver performance-led, fashion-focused collections.

Phoebe Heess

Designer, Creative Director, Product Designer, +1

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Head of Design / Design Director for premium sportswear and fashion tech, I bring 15+ years of experience across premium fashion, sportswear and innovation-driven apparel. Rooted in classical fashion design and shaped by international experience, I am known for building and leading design teams, shaping brand and product vision, and translating innovation into market-relevant collections.\n\nI partner with brands to define design language, drive product development and establish scalable design systems. My work spans from early concept through development and sourcing, with a track record of collaborating across marketing, production and partners to deliver performance-led, fashion-focused collections.…Head of Design / Design Director for premium sportswear and fashion tech, I bring 15+ years of experience across premium fashion, sportswear and innovation-driven apparel. Rooted in classical fashion design and shaped by international experience, I am known for building and leading design teams, shaping brand and product vision, and translating innovation into market-relevant collections.\n\nI partner with brands to define design language, drive product development and establish scalable design systems. My work spans from early concept through development and sourcing, with a track record of collaborating across marketing, production and partners to deliver performance-led, fashion-focused collections.

Available to hire

Head of Design / Design Director for premium sportswear and fashion tech, I bring 15+ years of experience across premium fashion, sportswear and innovation-driven apparel. Rooted in classical fashion design and shaped by international experience, I am known for building and leading design teams, shaping brand and product vision, and translating innovation into market-relevant collections.\n\nI partner with brands to define design language, drive product development and establish scalable design systems. My work spans from early concept through development and sourcing, with a track record of collaborating across marketing, production and partners to deliver performance-led, fashion-focused collections.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

German

Fluent

English

Advanced

Work Experience

Head of Design at TEVEO GmbH

December 1, 2023 - Present

Built TEVEO’s design & product team from scratch, driving innovation and scalability. Expanded the brand’s range by introducing Menswear & new product categories. Partnered closely with the founder, shaping and executing the brand vision.

Senior/Lead Designer at Adidas Tennis Apparel

October 1, 2023 - October 20, 2025

As interim Design Director, led the tennis design team to achieve product excellence, optimize team performance, and deliver successful collections aligned with the adidas brand direction.

Head of Design at Marc Cain - Sports

February 1, 2021 - October 20, 2025

Oversaw design operations for the Marc Cain - Sports brand, ensuring excellence in product development and design execution. Supported the label in directing their focus more towards the sports sector.

Head of Design at KCA-Lab

September 1, 2020 - October 20, 2025

Led design direction for KCA-Lab, driving the creation of a new womens premium athleisure brand. Successfully guided the brand's development from inception to launch within a four-year period.

Design & Development Consultant at Self-Employed

November 1, 2020 - Present

Consulted on various design and development projects, focusing on innovative solutions in sportswear and fashion.

Head of Design at DSSLR

May 1, 2025 - Present

Co-leading the build-up of a tennis and luxury-lifestyle brand, defining the design language, driving product innovation and establishing a distinctive aesthetic identity.

Design & Development Consultant (Freelance) at Self-employed

January 1, 2020 - Present

Advising sportswear brands and startups on design strategy, product development and innovation. Collaborations include DSSLR, X-Bionic, WearOne and JIVAMUKTI, supporting forward-looking product visions and performance-driven collections.

Senior / Lead Designer at adidas Tennis Apparel

July 1, 2021 - September 1, 2023

Led design development across multiple tennis seasons, bridging high-performance requirements with a fashion-led design approach in close collaboration with development and marketing teams.

Head of Design at Marc Cain Sports (Interim)

September 1, 2020 - February 1, 2021

Oversaw design operations for Marc Cain Sports and supported the brand’s strategic shift towards a more performance-oriented sportswear focus.

Head of Design at s.Oliver Active

September 1, 2016 - August 1, 2020

Built and led a high-performing design and development team from inception. Directed womens sportswear and accessories collections and established long-term partnerships with international production partners.

Head of Design at KCA-Lab

September 1, 2016 - August 1, 2020

Led the creative and product direction for a premium womens athleisure brand from concept through to market launch.

Designer / Senior Designer at adidas by Stella McCartney

September 1, 2010 - September 1, 2016

Long-standing member of the adidas by Stella McCartney design team over six years, working across apparel and accessories. Contributed to the Rio Olympics 2016 Stella Kit, led accessory design phases, mentored juniors, and collaborated with London and Asia-based partners across concept development, color/material storytelling, fittings and supplier development.

Pattern Cutting & Design Assistant at House of Holland

October 1, 2009 - August 1, 2010

Worked on the A/W 2010/2011 collection and a Browns capsule collection; supported design and pattern development, sample sewing, fittings and technical drawings.

Design Internship at Limi Feu, Tokyo

July 1, 2009 - October 1, 2009

Supported pattern adjustments, supplier communication, trims sourcing and photoshoots; cultivated refined aesthetics and craftsmanship.

Design Internship at adidas Womens Training Performance

July 1, 2008 - October 1, 2008

Supported end-to-end design development from brief to handover, including concept work, sketching, fabric and trim selection, proto reviews and fittings in a performance-driven environment.