Assistant Designer - Womenswear

TRP Recruitment Limited; Leicester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

TRP Recruitment Limited partners with a Leicester-based fashion supplier to hire an Assistant Womenswear Designer. You will support the design team across bottoms and tailoring, creating CADs and technical drawings, and helping plan seasonal ranges.

Join a collaborative studio to explore fabrics, finishes and prints; you will research trends and translate ideas into commercially viable designs for UK retailers. 1–2 years' womenswear experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years' experience within womenswear design.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with CAD capability.
• Strong eye for emerging trends and commercial awareness.
• Excellent organizational and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in design and development of commercial womenswear collections, focusing on bottoms, skirts, trousers and tailoring.
• Research emerging fashion trends, catwalk influences and competitor activity.
• Create CADs, technical drawings and design specs.
• Collaborate with senior designers and account managers to develop seasonal ranges.
• Develop mood boards, colour palettes and trend presentations.

Skills

Womenswear design

CAD

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Trend research

Commercial awareness

Communication

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

We are delighted to be working with a successful and growing fashion supplier who is looking to recruit a creative and enthusiastic Assistant Womenswear Designer to join their Leicester-based team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a talented designer with a passion for womenswear, particularly bottoms and tailoring, to develop their career within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Working across trend-led collections for established UK and European high street retailers, you will be involved in the full design process, from initial trend research and concept development through to fabric selection, sampling and final product.

The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for emerging trends, excellent commercial awareness and a genuine passion for creating innovative, wearable womenswear. You will be joining a supportive team where creativity is encouraged and there are excellent opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career.

Main Responsibilities will include:

Assist in the design and development of commercial womenswear collections, with a particular focus on bottoms, skirts, trousers and tailoring.

Research emerging fashion trends, catwalk influences, social media and competitor activity to identify new product opportunities.

Create detailed CADs, technical drawings and design specifications using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Work closely with senior designers and account managers to develop seasonal ranges that reflect customer requirements and current market trends.

Explore new fabrics, finishes, washes, trims and design details to bring fresh ideas and innovation to collections.

Develop inspirational mood boards, colour palettes and trend presentations to communicate seasonal design direction.

Support the product development process, liaising with internal teams and suppliers to ensure designs are accurately translated into samples.

Collaborate with print and graphics teams to develop relevant artwork, embellishments and design details.

Assist in preparing and presenting new collections and product concepts to retail customers.

Maintain a strong understanding of garment construction, fit and fabric suitability to ensure designs are both creative and commercially viable.

Monitor the high street market, identifying key shapes, colours and emerging trends that can be incorporated into future collections.

Manage multiple design projects simultaneously, ensuring samples, presentations and development deadlines are met.

Build strong working relationships with design, sourcing and product development teams to ensure a smooth design process.

Person Specification:

A minimum of 1–2 years' experience within womenswear design, ideally with exposure to bottoms, skirts, trousers or tailoring.

A genuine passion for fashion with a strong understanding of the UK high street womenswear market.

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with the ability to produce clear and accurate CADs and technical drawings.

A creative and trend-driven individual with a strong eye for colour, fabrics, prints and product details.

Good understanding of garment construction, fabric qualities, fit and the product development process.

Commercially minded, with the ability to interpret emerging trends into wearable and relevant product ranges.

Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines within a busy design environment.

Confident communication skills and the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external suppliers.

A proactive, enthusiastic and positive approach, with a willingness to learn and contribute new ideas.

A strong portfolio demonstrating creativity, technical ability and commercial awareness.

A collaborative team player who is keen to develop their skills and grow within a successful fashion business