Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Boyswear Apparel Designer to join our Fashion Brands team, where you’ll support the design and manufacturing of premium boyswear ranges for icons like Ted Baker, Superdry, smAllsaints and Paul Smith.
Your role is to work alongside the designer, acting as a creative guardian, translating each brand’s unique DNA into elevated collections from initial trend research to final concept. Working alongside our expert buying and tech teams, you’ll make a tangible impact by balancing premium aesthetics with commercial pace.
You’ll ensure designs are developed to elevated levels whilst reacting to sales and market information, and will have a strong knowledge of supply base, fabrics, trims, garment construction and fit and know how to create thorough technical design packs with an understanding of price points.
To ensure you hit the ground running, we provide a tailored induction and ongoing support to help you navigate our global supply base and master the "Next way" of designing world-class fashion.
Let’s talk brands… When it comes to UK retail, it’s hard to find a company with a bigger brand portfolio . We sell thousands of items an hour and our repeat customer base comes back to us time and time again for our renowned trend led, quality products. For anyone in the design field - this is the place to learn. To grow. And to thrive.
What You’ll Take On
Champion Brand DNA: Research and translate the unique "handwriting" of our brand partners into elevated childrenswear collections that feel authentic and forward-thinking.
Drive the Creative Process: Support the journey from initial trend concepts and mood boards to final design presentations, ensuring every range is elevated and exciting and has a clear, compelling message.
Collaborate for Quality: Work hand-in-hand with Buyers and Technologists to balance premium aesthetics with technical feasibility and commercial targets.
Navigate Global Supply Bases: Communicate directly with international suppliers to troubleshoot design details, ensuring the "gold standard" quality of our brands are never compromised.
Manage at Pace: Oversee multiple product categories and deadlines simultaneously, keeping projects on track without losing your sharp eye for detail.
Deliver Impactful Results: Monitor the success of your ranges, using sales feedback and trend shifts to continually evolve and sharpen future collection.
What You’ll Bring
A Premium Design Eye: You have a proven track record (and a portfolio to match) in designing for premium brands, showing a natural ability to adapt your style to suit different brand identities.
A "People Person" Mindset: You enjoy building strong relationships, communicating your ideas clearly to both creative and non-creative teams to keep everyone on the same page.
The Ability to Juggle: You’re naturally well-organised and stay grounded when things get busy, comfortably managing multiple deadlines across various brands and product categories.
Commercial Sharpness: You understand that great design needs to be wearable and profitable; you can balance high-end inspiration with the realities of high-street manufacturing.
Resilience & Agility: You’re a self-motivated problem solver who can pivot quickly when a trend shifts or a technical challenge arises at the factory level.
Technical Foundations: You are highly proficient in the tools of the trade, specifically Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop and have a solid understanding of garment construction and global supply bases. Knowledge and experience of utilising AI design programmes is also advantageous.
Important Note: To help us get a feel for your creative vision and experience, please attach a digital portfolio. We’re looking for work that captures the energy of the contemporary boyswear market, showcasing versatility and commerciality, along with your sharp eye for upcoming trends. We need to see a knack for designing clothes that look cool but are tough enough for everyday adventures. To help you put your best foot forward, we’ve put together a few top tips on what makes a portfolio stand out to our team.
Applications without a portfolio will not be considered
Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
#LI-Onsite
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
