Assistant Designer

Debenhams Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion retailer based in Greater London is seeking an Assistant Designer to research and develop soft woven designs. The ideal candidate will have a design-based degree and relevant experience in embellishment or embroidery. Responsibilities include creating design concepts and managing fabric libraries while collaborating with suppliers. The role demands creativity, trend awareness, and teamwork, providing an opportunity to thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Benefits

Highly competitive bonus scheme

On-site gym and fitness classes

40% discount across brands

Comprehensive wellbeing package

Dog-friendly offices

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

On-site canteen

Free season ticket loan

Qualifications

• A design-based degree is preferred.
• Previous experience as a Design Assistant, ideally in soft wovens, embellishment, or embroidery.
• A passion for textiles and craftsmanship.

Responsibilities

• Researching, developing, and designing soft woven ranges.
• Creating and developing embellishment and embroidery concepts.
• Managing fabric libraries and tracking samples.
• Preparing presentation materials and supporting photoshoot planning.
• Responding to trade and sales insights to develop relevant products.
• Staying up to date with global craft and fashion trends.
• Collaborating with the technical team on fittings.
• Building relationships with suppliers for craftsmanship and materials.

Skills

Trend identification

Embellishment and embroidery techniques

Collaboration with technical teams

Creative design thinking

Education

Design-based degree

Job description

Where Timeless Luxury Meets Modern Elegance

Born from a bold vision in 1981, Karen Millen began with just £100 and a passion for perfecting the classic white shirt. That same commitment to impeccable style, quality, and craftsmanship lives on today.

Karen Millen is now a renowned premium womenswear brand, celebrated for flattering fits, meticulous design, and a dedication to detail that sets us apart. From elevated everyday essentials to timeless investment pieces, every piece is thoughtfully created for the modern woman, combining sophisticated design with enduring quality.

Join us in shaping the future of fashion with a brand built on heritage, innovation, and exceptional design.

The Role

As an Assistant Designer, you’ll play a key role in researching emerging trends and developing soft woven designs that reflect our brand’s identity. You’ll work closely with Senior Designers across the soft wovens category, contributing to seasonal collections with a particular focus on embellished and embroidered pieces. Previous experience as a Design Assistant ideally within wovens or surface design is essential, as you’ll be expected to bring a solid understanding of development processes, artwork creation, and product lifecycle management. A genuine passion for artisanal techniques, especially the rich textile craftsmanship of India, will help you flourish in this role.

What you’ll be doing

• Researching, developing, and designing soft woven ranges including seasonal silhouettes, colour palettes, fabrications, and crafted details.
• Creating and developing embellishment and embroidery concepts, including artwork packs, placement layouts, and trim direction.
• Bringing prior experience in managing fabric libraries, tracking samples, building range boards, and supporting design meetings.
• Preparing presentation materials, supporting photoshoot planning, and assisting with coordination across the design room.
• Responding to trade and sales insights to develop commercially relevant, design‑led product.
• Staying up to date with global craft and fashion trends—particularly textile traditions from India—and working with suppliers to translate these into thoughtful, elevated designs.
• Collaborating with the technical team on initial fittings and reviewing construction details.
• Building strong relationships with suppliers, guiding factories on craftsmanship, construction materials, finishes, and trims.

We’re looking for someone who brings fresh ideas, challenges conventions, and thrives in a fast‑paced environment. Curiosity, creativity, and bravery are qualities we celebrate.

What we’re looking for

A design‑based degree is preferred, along with previous experience as a Design Assistant, ideally in soft wovens, embellishment, or embroidery.

• A supportive team player willing to go the extra mile during high‑pressure periods.
• Someone who identifies trends early and isn’t afraid to lead them.
• Confident working at pace, with a flexible and solution‑focused mindset.
• A genuine passion for textiles, craft, and the refined aesthetic of Karen Millen.

Working with us

At Debenhams Group, we are a diverse portfolio of five core brands (boohoo, boohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and Debenhams) alongside a dynamic marketplace model and a growing financial services division, it keeps us pretty busy!

We don’t stand still – we lead, evolve, and redefine online fashion. With bold ambitions and big energy, we’re on a mission to be the best, delivering the strongest propositions to our customers in the most engaging, innovative, and efficient ways possible.

We thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast‑moving, high‑growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers, people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.

Be bold. Be creative. Be a community.

Why join us

2025 is a year for making bold moves, delivering real results, and driving forward with unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, then you belong at Debenhams Group.

Let’s lead the change together. 🚀

Benefits Include (subject to level and eligibility)

• Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover, and life assurance
• Access to an on-site gym (Techno Equipment) and free weekly yoga and fitness classes
• 40% discount across four brands and 20% off at Debenhams
• A comprehensive wellbeing package to support your health and lifestyle
• Some of our offices are dog‑friendly, so your furry friend can join you at work
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities with great internal career progression
• On‑site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks, and hot drinks daily
• Free season ticket loan