About us
Karen Collier Careers is a trusted, family-run fashion recruitment consultancy based in Essex and London, but with a truly global outlook. Founder Karen Collier, a former garment technologist with over 27 years of hands-on experience in the fashion industry, is dedicated to building lasting relationships and is happy to travel worldwide to meet new clients. The agency specialises in sourcing exceptional head office talent for the clothing and apparel industry, offering expert, insight-led recruitment services tailored to the needs of both fashion brands and career-focused professionals. We partner with leading fashion businesses to place top-tier candidates across design, buying, merchandising, production, garment technology, and many more. Known for our honest and personalised approach, deep industry knowledge, Karen Collier Careers is committed to delivering recruitment solutions that drive long-term growth and success in the ever-evolving fashion industry.
Who are we
Karen Collier
Director / Client Manager
After graduating from Colchester Institute in 1987 with a Diploma in Clothing & Distributive Trades, Karen launched a successful career in the fashion and apparel industry. She began as a sample machinist in a local clothing factory and steadily progressed into roles on the supply chain side, before moving into buying offices for prestigious fashion brands, including LK Bennett and Laura Ashley, both based in London.
Karen gained valuable international experience, travelling across Europe and Asia to carry out factory audits, oversee production approvals, and ensure quality control standards were met. Her work contributed to delivering high-quality, well-constructed garments aligned with each brand’s design and fit specifications.
In 2009, amid the global recession, Karen was made redundant from her position as Technical Manager at Jacques Vert. With few opportunities in garment technology and technical roles, she decided to go freelance, quickly becoming sought-after for her in-depth knowledge of product development, fit, and manufacturing processes. As client demand grew, Karen began subcontracting work to trusted colleagues from her network of experienced garment technologists.
By 2010, she had built a network of fifteen garment techs working under her, which naturally led to the creation of her own specialist fashion recruitment agency—Karen Collier Careers. Drawing on her deep-rooted understanding of the industry, Karen built a business focused on connecting fashion brands with exceptional technical and head office talent.
Karen believes that successful recruitment is about genuinely helping people, and being able to do that within the industry she loves—fashion—has been her proudest achievement.
Richard Collier
Director / Talent Acquisition
After leaving King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford in 1981, Richard embarked on a distinguished global career in investment banking. Over the years, he gained extensive expertise in Project and Export Finance, collaborating closely with UK government agencies to fund large-scale infrastructure and aircraft leasing projects worldwide, amounting to over £5 billion. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to British exports, he was honoured with an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in 2000.
Seeking a fresh perspective, a new challenge, and a better work/life balance, Richard joined his wife Karen in 2016 to support the growth of her successful fashion recruitment business. He brings a sharp analytical mindset and meticulous attention to detail to the search process, ensuring that clients receive the highest calibre of talent and that every candidate enjoys a positive experience with Karen Collier Careers Limited.