Designer - Casual Outerwear & Wovens - Topshop (6 month FTC)

The Team

TOPSHOP is one of the UK’s top fashion brands – focusing on elevation, differentiation, curation, inclusivity & sustainability. Our values are to be authentic, brave, creative and disciplined, and we live and breathe these in everything we do. The Design team is instrumental in making TOPSHOP the leading destination for fashion-loving customers across womenswear and menswear.

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Design Inspiration

The Design Team look for inspiration all around the world, along with street style, vintage shopping, music, art, the catwalk and all things creative, to design the latest product for the range. TOPSHOP is all about newness and product elevation at every level. Our teams focus on developing and delivering a range that pushes the boundaries and meets the needs of our customer.

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Responsibilities

You’ll be...

• Researching, developing and creating a market leading Casual outerwear & wovens range, including developing big deals, key seasonal shapes, selecting fabrics, trends for the TOPSHOP customer.
• Researching & advising on print direction working closely with in-house & freelance graphic designers and fabric suppliers to develop the most innovative print for the TOPSHOP casual wovens range.
• Experience of working with India, China and European manufacturers and suppliers to deliver a breadth of product across fabric bases and end uses.
• Strong vision and direction on fabric basics both for Core and premium ranges driving product quality and considered product that mix easily in your wardrobe with designer pieces.
• Strong vision and experience in embroidery, cutwork and embellishment is key to deliver a casual range that meets the Topshop aesthetic.
• Strong direction on clean, minimal silhouettes where fabric qualities and minimal yet standout detail are key
• As a Designer you will play a key role in brainstorming & collating trend direction for the TOPSHOP brand.
• Presenting trend research and have strong influencing skills to ensure you are the design voice for the department when working closely with Buying, Merchandising and Commercial leadership.
• Collaborating across departments and other functions of the business including Marketing, to ensure the design vision is communicated clearly.
• Identifying and executing new product opportunities to ensue as a brand we are leading the fashion market not following.
• Contributing to business wide initiatives and projects, positively influencing and championing change.
• Using relevant sales data and insights to design commercially relevant, fashion forward ranges.
• Anticipating the needs of the 20-something customer, using sales data, customer profile analytics and trend research to deliver commercial product ranges.
• Sourcing new fabrications, techniques and trim.
• Working closely with in-house Buying teams – collaborating to create fresh product, each season and shape the product direction for the department, ensuring that it is aligned to the brand and divisional strategy.
• Working with the Technical team on fits on a weekly basis, identifying and helping create new silhouette blocks for the department and produce a commercial range.
• Building relationships with suppliers and advising factories on direction, silhouette, construction, key details, fabrics, trimmings and artworks.
• Managing, developing and motivating more junior team members, providing them with clear direction and regular feedback.
• Maintaining a clear understanding of brand purpose and Fashion with Integrity and ensuring these principles are fully embedded within the team.  Looking for opportunities to use sustainable materials wherever possible.
• Leading/Role model and contributing to a dynamic world leading design team.
• Providing clear direction and development to the team, identifying individual training needs and encouraging collaborative ways of working.
• Motivating and engaging the team through recognition and regular feedback.

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Desired Candidate

We’d love to meet, someone with…

• Significant experience in designing casual outerwear & wovens with a mid to high level brand or high end Retailer.
• Previous experience of direct sourcing from fabric mills, with knowledge of cut and construction to create new concepts/pieces.
• Experience in working with pattern cutters & machinists so that you are able to develop the best stand out fashion product for the casual range.
• Experience of working cross-functionally to deliver initiatives that have a positive commercial impact.
• Proven ability to drive the success of a department or brand through strategic and commercial thinking.
• A commercial handwriting and strong understanding of the TOPSHOP Brand and Customer.
• Experience with Photoshop, Adobe, CAD.
• Plugged into relevant culture and fashion, passionate about the product.
• Strong organisational skills, initiative, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to build great relationships with colleagues across the business and suppliers alike.
• Can gain buy in from the team and management to potentialize opportunities.
• Embraces and champions the benefits of change within the wider team.
• Demonstrates an effective and inclusive leadership style, role modelling positive behaviours and providing the team with clear direction and development.
• Comfortable travelling in the UK and internationally for supplier/product development meetings and inspirational purposes.

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BeneFITS

• Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
• ASOS Develops (personal development opportunities across the business)
• Employee sample sales
• Access to a huge range of LinkedIn learning materials
• 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private medical care scheme
• Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits.