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Jigsaw has appointed Melanie Walker as Design Director, placing the former Victoria Beckham and Matches designer in charge of its product and creative direction.
Walker joins the British fashion brand as it builds on an 18% year-on-year increase in Spring/Summer 2026 sales and prepares to launch through the Nordstrom and Macy’s marketplaces in the US.
Walker’s brief includes developing a more recognisable design signature and strengthening the product offer across Jigsaw’s stores and digital channels. She will work with the brand’s Atelier team, with quality, fit and fabric identified as priorities.
Walker said: “It is a great honour to join Jigsaw as Design Director. I have always been inspired by the rich history of this British brand and its strong connection to arts and culture. Excellent quality, fit and fabric will be at the forefront of every design decision.
“I look forward to working with the Atelier team to craft the next chapter of this iconic brand’s story.”
Walker brings luxury and contemporary experience
Walker became Victoria Beckham’s first employee when she joined the fashion house in 2008. She helped establish its ready-to-wear infrastructure before being promoted to Head of Design, Ready-to-Wear in 2013, overseeing the mainline and pre-collections alongside its design and studio teams.
Her earlier career included positions at Roland Mouret and Jonathan Saunders. She also became Head of Design at FREDA, the former in-house label of luxury womenswear retailer Matches.
Since 2017, Walker has worked independently with brands including Hurlingham 1875, Alice Made This, Paper London and other luxury businesses. Her most recent project was leading the redesign of Abercrombie & Kent’s uniforms as part of its global brand repositioning.
Tikki Godley, Managing Director at Jigsaw, said: “I have followed Melanie’s career over the years and am confident she will bring a creative and modern vision to Jigsaw, inspired by our rich history making clothes for people who care about how clothes are made: quality, fit and fabric, and a commitment to backing British design.”
Jigsaw SS26
Product growth supports Jigsaw’s reset
The appointment follows Jigsaw’s search for a successor to Julia Reimann, whose planned departure as Design Director was confirmed in June. Reimann had held the position for more than four years.
During the second quarter of 2025, Jigsaw began its strategic reset, funded by its majority shareholder and led by a refreshed team headed by Godley. The focus has been on improving product consistency and reinforcing the core UK operation.
Spring/Summer 2026 sales increased 18%, following growth of 26% during Christmas 2025. Dresses led the latest season, rising 43% as occasionwear and printed styles attracted demand.
The retailer appointed former Ted Baker executive Chris Browne as Retail Director in April to oversee 10 planned UK store openings during 2026. Walker’s product remit will also support Jigsaw’s entry into the US through Nordstrom and Macy’s marketplaces in partnership with Refined Networks.
Jigsaw Managing Director Tikki Godley will be among the speakers at TheIndustry.fashion Fashion [Un]Bound Summit on 15 October at The Forum, Leadenhall. Tickets can be purchased here.