Founding Menswear Designer

Fashion Heaven; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A contemporary menswear brand in London is seeking a Founding Menswear Designer to lead the creative process from concept to final sample. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the brand's identity and design collections that merge functionality with refined aesthetics. The ideal candidate has over five years of experience in menswear design and strong skills in both creative vision and technical execution. Competitive salary offered based on experience, ranging from £45,000 to £60,000.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience designing in contemporary or luxury menswear.
• Experience with tailoring, outerwear, and performance-informed casualwear.
• Deep understanding of fabrication, construction, and finishing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full creative process from concept to final sample.
• Define the brand identity, voice, values, and product direction.
• Design seasonal menswear collections and oversee product development.
• Establish design systems, fit standards, and material libraries.

Skills

Creative design sensibility

Technical precision

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

MS Office

Google Suite

Education

Degree in Fashion Design or related field

Job description

We are partnering with a new label advancing contemporary menswear through the lens of technical utility. The brand unites progressive design, sustainable materials, and elevated construction to create clothing with an understated confidence grounded in quality and purpose.

The aim is to build a wardrobe that moves fluidly between the city, travel, and the outdoors — engineered for utility but rooted in timeless form. Each collection blends performance detailing with effortless wearability — made to be worn instinctively, yet refined enough for any setting.

Now in its early development phase, the label is refining its identity and preparing to build its core design team. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on Founding Menswear Designer to play a defining role in shaping both the creative direction and future growth of the brand.

The Role:

As Founding Menswear Designer, you will lead the full creative process from concept to final sample, establishing the brand codes, handwriting and visual DNA. Working closely with the founder, you will define product pillars, translate inspiration into functional design and oversee development across all categories.

Applicants must have full permanent UK working rights and be living within a commutable distance of Holland Park or Latimer Road stations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define the brand identity, voice, values, and product direction.
• Lead visual and raw material research to inform and refine the brand vision.
• Design seasonal menswear collections and oversee product development from concept through final sampling, ensuring precision in fit, construction, and finish.
• Establish design systems, fit standards, and material libraries to ensure consistency and scalability across collections.
• Implement efficient studio processes that support seamless collaboration between design, production, and sourcing.
• Track innovations in materials and construction, integrating relevant advances into the design process.
• Play a key role in shaping and mentoring the future design team as the brand grows.
• Contribute to campaign and content direction, ensuring creative coherence between product and brand storytelling.

Your Experience:

• Degree in Fashion Design or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience designing across contemporary or luxury menswear.
• Proven ability to lead concept and product development across multiple categories, including tailoring, outerwear, and ideally performance-informed casualwear.
• Strong balance of creative design sensibility and technical precision.
• Deep understanding of fabrication, construction, and finishing, with the ability to translate technical innovation into refined, wearable design.
• Experience collaborating directly with founders, production partners, suppliers and cross-functional teams to align creative and commercial objectives.
• Skilled in aligning creativity and process to ensure timely delivery of design and product objectives.
• Confident leader, collaborative team player, and skilled communicator with an entrepreneurial, hands‑on mindset.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, MS Office, and Google Suite.
• Strong appreciation for refined menswear and functional design — informed by both urban and outdoor sensibilities.

What’s on Offer

• Starting salary in line with experience, c£45,000 to £60,000.
• An opportunity to become the Founding Menswear Designer in a sustainable fashion brand.
• The chance to shape a label built on refined design, function and purpose.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV, a short cover note outlining three of your proudest commercial achievements and your PDF portfolio and/or website link. We're looking to see a selection of experience-based contemporary or luxury menswear rooted in storytelling, reflecting recognisable brand codes.