Design Admin Assistant- Soft Wovens

WYSE London; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

WYSE London is seeking a Design Admin Assistant to support the Soft Wovens design team. You will work closely with the Head of Design and Founder, assisting with development, CADs in Illustrator, and day-to-day organisation.

Ideal candidate is a Womenswear Design graduate with internship experience, eager to learn and able to manage multiple tasks, liaise with suppliers and contribute to mood boards and fabric sourcing.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, organisational and time-management abilities.
• Interest in soft woven womenswear and design development.
• Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for CADs.
• Understanding of garment construction, fit and fabric.
• Attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced team.
• Experience with sourcing fabrics, trims and colourways is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support development of the Soft Wovens collection, including dresses, blouses and skirts.
• Translate creative direction into commercially relevant product.
• Research trends, fabrics and colour ideas focused on our customer.
• Conduct regular competitor and market research with the design team.
• Contribute to mood, trend, colour and fabric boards.
• Support sourcing and development of fabrics, trims, finishes and colourways.
• Maintain an archive of fabrics, trims and colours.
• Use Adobe Illustrator to create CADs and technical flats from sketches.
• Colour CADs and develop colour/print ideas per season palette.
• Keep CADs and range plans up to date throughout development.
• Help compile design/spec packs and CAD sheets with the Technical team.
• Liaise daily with factories and suppliers, communicating design info clearly.
• Manage colour palettes, lab dips, strike-offs with Buying.
• Collaborate with Design, Buying, Merchandising and Technical teams to meet deadlines.
• Support the team with additional duties during development.

Skills

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Highly organised

Team collaboration

Womenswear knowledge

Adaptable

Time management

Color and design sense

Proactive attitude

Problem-solving

Education

Womenswear Fashion Design degree

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CAD software

Job description

Job description

Position: Design Admin Assistant- soft wovens

Reports to: Head of Design

Hours: Full time- Monday-Thursday in office, Friday WFH.

Location: Head Office - Shepherd's Bush

Position description

WYSE London is going through an exciting phase of growth, and we are looking for talented people to join us on the journey.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised Design Assistant - Soft Wovens to support our growing Design team across both creative development and day-to-day organisational duties.

This role would suit a Womenswear Design graduate with relevant industry placement or internship experience who is looking for an environment in which they can thrive, learn and develop alongside an experienced team.

You will have aspirations to become a fully-fledged Designer and will appreciate the knowledge and exposure gained by starting in a hands-on Design Assistant role. You will work closely with the Head of Design, Founder and wider Design team, gaining exposure to the full design and development process and building a strong foundation for progression within womenswear design.

PLEASE NOTE ONLY APPLICANTS WHO SUBMIT EXAMPLES OF THEIR PORTFOLIO WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Key responsibilities

• Support with the development of the Soft Wovens collection, including dresses, blouses, skirts whilst contributing to the wider seasonal collection where required.
• Follow the creative direction and seasonal requirements set by the Founder and Head of Design, helping to translate these into commercially relevant product for the WYSE customer.
• Research emerging trends, brands, vintage references, colour, fabric and product ideas with a strong focus on our customer profile.
• Conduct regular competitor and market research, sharing relevant product, fabric, colour and styling discoveries with the wider Design team.
• Contribute to seasonal mood, trend, colour and fabric boards in collaboration with the Design team.
• Support the sourcing and development of fabrics, trims, finishes and colourways appropriate for the Soft Wovens collection.
• Maintain an organised archive and library of fabrics, trims, sourcing references and colours.
• Use Adobe Illustrator to create accurate CADs and detailed technical flat drawings from sketches and design direction.
• Colour up CADs and develop colour and print ideas in line with the seasonal palette.
• Keep CADs, range boards, collection overviews and range plans accurate and up to date throughout the development process.
• Support Designers in compiling clear and accurate design/specification packs and CAD sheets, working closely with the Technical team to ensure factories have the information required to produce accurate samples.
• Liaise with factories and suppliers on a daily basis, building positive relationships and communicating design information clearly and accurately.
• Manage colour palettes, lab dips, strike-offs and related approvals in conjunction with the Buying team.
• Work collaboratively with Design, Buying, Merchandising and Technical teams to ensure information is communicated accurately and in line with seasonal critical-path deadlines.
• Support the Design team with any additional creative or organisational duties required during the development of each collection.

Knowledge & Skills

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Womenswear Fashion Design, ideally with relevant industry placement or internship experience.
• A genuine interest in soft woven womenswear and an ambition to develop into a Designer.
• Strong Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills, with the ability to produce accurate CADs and detailed technical flat drawings.
• A good understanding of womenswear garment construction, proportion, fit and fabrication.
• A strong eye for colour, proportion and detail, with a commercial handwriting.
• A love of fashion and strong awareness of emerging trends, brands and the wider womenswear market.
• An understanding of how trends and creative ideas can be interpreted appropriately for a specific brand and customer.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to communicate professionally with suppliers and factories.
• A proactive, positive and hands-on attitude.
• Adaptable and responsive to change, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong work ethic, integrity and reliability.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys working across Design, Buying, Merchandising and Technical functions.