Alteration Specialist
About this role
Vision
To empower Retail teams with the confidence, technical awareness, and practical skills to deliver an elevated fitting and pinning experience for every client.
Alteration Specialist will make atelier knowledge accessible to Retail, creating a strong connection between the client-facing fitting moment and the craftsmanship behind each garment. Through practical education on fit, body morphology, fabric behaviour, garment construction, and basic pinning, Retail teams will be better equipped to identify client needs, communicate accurately, and protect the integrity of the Maison’s creations.
Mission
The mission of the Alteration Specialist is to develop Retail capability in fitting, pinning, and technical garment understanding.
The role will translate technical knowledge from Alterations teams into clear, relevant, and practical learning for Retail colleagues. This includes building their understanding of how different fabrics, constructions, silhouettes, and body morphologies influence fit and alteration possibilities.
Job Description:
- Educate Retail teams on the fundamentals of garment fit, proportion, balance, ease, and movement.
- Build awareness of retail teams on body morphology and posture, helping teams identify fitting needs with greater accuracy and sensitivity.
- Train and educate retail teams on basic pinning techniques, including correct pin placement, garment handling, client comfort and safety.
- Develop practical technical knowledge of fabrics and materials—including their behaviour, drape, stretch, weight, delicacy, structure, and response to alteration.
- Help Retail teams understand how garment construction and fabric choice affect what can, cannot, or should not be altered.
- Provide clear guidance on when to conduct basic pinning and when to escalate a request to Alterations specialists or Les Ateliers.
- Establish a shared fitting vocabulary and clearer handover process between Retail, Alterations, and Les Ateliers.
- Deliver ongoing coaching, fitting clinics, visual guides, and in-the-moment support to embed knowledge in daily practice.
Impact This Role Will Create
Retail Teams
- Greater confidence when advising clients on fit, comfort, silhouette, and alteration possibilities.
- Stronger technical understanding of fabrics, materials, garment construction, and how these elements influence fitting decisions.
- Consistent capability in basic pinning, including knowing the appropriate limits of intervention.
- More precise fitting observations and clearer technical communication with Alterations and Les Ateliers.
- A more confident and knowledgeable retail team in the fitting room.
Clients
- A more assured, personalized, and luxurious fitting experience.
- Advice that considers not only size, but also morphology, movement, comfort, fabric behaviour, and the intended silhouette of the garment.
- Improved fit outcomes while preserving the quality and design intent of the creation.
At Chanel, we are focused on creating an inclusive culture that nurtures personal growth, contributing to collective progress. We believe the uniqueness of each individual increases the diversity, complementarity and effectiveness of our teams. We strongly encourage your application, as we value the perspective, experience and potential you could bring to Chanel.
Company at a glance
Chanel is a private company and world leader in creating, manufacturing and distributing luxury products, including Ready-to-Wear, Accessories, Fragrances, Makeup, Skincare, Jewellery and Watches. Founded by Gabrielle Chanel in 1910, the House remains dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship and offering high-end creations. Chanel employs more than 32,000 people worldwide.
As part of this, the House promotes arts, culture and creativity, while investing significantly in key areas including research & development, sustainability, and innovation.
Chanel is dedicated to creating the conditions for people to perform at their best, building on their strengths and enabling them to benefit from new opportunities. It offers a unique working environment where people are given time to understand the brand, the business, and develop their personal motivations. This means everyone can grow, continue to be inspired and feel included, now and in the future. The company fosters true collaboration and respect for all, grounded in the belief that diversity is essential to the success of the organisation and its people.
Chanel is committed to rewarding people competitively, as well as offering initiatives such as wellbeing programmes, learning and development opportunities, and parental leave for all parents globally.
Tired of cold applications?
Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.
Know someone who'd be great for this?