Designer - Runway

COS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25% staff discount

HIP incentive program

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Private health & dental

Job summary

COS is seeking a senior Womenswear Designer for our Runway team in London. You will lead the design process from concept to final product, shaping a directional Runway collection that reflects COS aesthetics and craftsmanship.

You will collaborate across Design, Buying, Pattern Cutting and Product Development, guiding junior designers while evolving our design language with innovative silhouettes, materials and details. A strong portfolio is required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Womenswear Designer within luxury fashion
• Experience designing fluid and soft product across woven, jersey and knitwear
• Strong knowledge of silhouette, proportion, fabrication, construction, and finishing
• Ability to translate concepts into refined, modern designs
• Portfolio demonstrating COS design aesthetic and craftsmanship

Responsibilities

• Lead the creative development of your category each season, translating research and ideas into a distinctive Runway collection.
• Evolve the COS aesthetic through silhouette, proportion, colour, fabrication and detail.
• Develop extensive research, concepts and sketches that establish a clear design direction.
• Work hands-on through draping, mock-ups and experimentation to explore new silhouettes and techniques.
• Collaborate with Design, Buying, Pattern Cutting and Product Development to realize concepts while preserving the original vision.
• Partner with Buying to develop product with COS customer, collection architecture and commercial opportunity.
• Lead fittings, refine silhouette and finish through to final product.
• Guide and develop Assistant and Junior Designers, fostering idea sharing and development.
• Continually explore new materials and methods to progress the Runway collection and COS direction.

Skills

Womenswear design

Luxury fashion

Draping

Team leadership

Job description

Company Description

COS Runway represents the most directional and elevated expression of our design vision. Presented in distinctive locations around the world, each collection explores craftsmanship, construction, materiality and innovative design, bringing together structure and fluidity across womenswear and menswear.

Job Description

As a Designer within the Runway team, you'll play a key role in shaping and evolving the most directional expression of the COS collection. Combining a strong creative point of view with technical expertise, you'll create exceptional product that feels distinctly COS while continually moving our design language forward.

Working closely with cross-functional partners, you lead the design process from concept through to final product, ensuring every piece reflects the highest standards of design, quality and craftsmanship. You inspire and develop junior team members, champion innovation and contribute to building a cohesive collection that balances creativity, desirability and commercial relevance.

What you will do:

• Lead the creative development of your category each season, translating research and emerging ideas into a distinctive Runway collection.
• Bring a strong design point of view that evolves the COS aesthetic through silhouette, proportion, colour, fabrication and detail.
• Develop extensive research, concepts and sketches that establish a clear and compelling design direction.
• Work hands‑on through draping, mock‑ups and experimentation to explore new silhouettes, construction techniques and product ideas.
• Partner closely with Design, Buying, Pattern Cutting and Product Development to bring concepts to life while maintaining the integrity of the original design vision.
• Work with Buying to develop product with a strong understanding of the COS customer, collection architecture and commercial opportunity.
• Lead fittings, using strong technical knowledge to refine silhouette, proportion, construction and finish through to final product.
• Guide, inspire and develop Assistant and Junior Designers, creating an environment where ideas are shared, challenged and developed with confidence.
• Continually explore new techniques, materials and ways of working that can progress the Runway collection and wider COS design direction.

Qualifications

What you need to succeed:

• Proven experience as a Womenswear Designer within a luxury or premium fashion brand, with experience developing elevated ready‑to‑wear collections.
• Experience designing fluid and soft product across a refined multi‑product wardrobe, ideally spanning woven, jersey and knitwear.
• Strong knowledge of silhouette, proportion, fabrication, construction, and finishing, with an eye for detail and perceived value.
• A sharp eye for colour, detail, and proportion, with the ability to translate concepts into refined, modern designs.
• Ability to balance directional fashion and brand elevation with customer relevance, commerciality, and a considered collection architecture.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across multiple cross‑functional teams.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, delegate and manage multiple projects within seasonal timelines.

Please kindly note that in order for us to consider your application, you will need to include a portfolio or examples of your work most suited to the COS design aesthetic. This should demonstrate strong research and concept development, silhouette and proportion, draping or three‑dimensional development, fabric and material exploration and examples of finished product.

Additional Information

This is a full time permanent role based at our Head Office in London, 5 days per week.

Benefits

We offer all our employees attractive benefits with extensive development opportunities around the globe. All our employees receive a 25% staff discount usable on all our H&M Group brands in stores and online. In addition to our staff discount, all our employees are included in our H&M Incentive Program - HIP. You can read more about our H&M Incentive Program here.

In addition to this UK based colleagues also receive:

• Up to 25 days holiday
• Annual health checks
• Pension scheme
• Discounts on various activities and financial/lifestyle products via our benefits hub
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee assistance via retail trust
• Private health & dental care

Inclusion & Diversity

At COS we're determined to create and maintain inclusive, diverse and equitable workplaces throughout our organisation. Our teams should consist of a variety of people that share and combine their knowledge, experience and ideas. Having a diverse workforce leads to a positive impact on how we address challenges, on what we perceive possible and on how we choose to relate to our colleagues and customers all over the world. Hence all diversity dimensions are taken into consideration in our recruitment process.

Company Description

COS offers a wardrobe of ready‑to‑wear and accessories rooted in exceptional quality and lasting design. The creative soul of the brand is fueled by a deep connection to modern culture, dynamic global cities and compelling fashion movements. With an emphasis on expert craftsmanship, innovation and materiality, collections are created with a mindful approach, seamlessly blending contemporary and timeless. Learn more about COS here.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!