Knitwear Designer

The Retail Partnership Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A London-based fashion company is seeking a creative Knitwear Designer to develop trendy knit collections for womenswear. Responsibilities include researching trends, designing ranges, and managing sample development. Candidates should have proven experience in knitwear design, proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and a commercial mindset. The role allows for hybrid working, offering a dynamic environment to create compelling products for market leaders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing knitwear for a high street brand or supplier.
• Commercial mindset with strong color sense and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Research seasonal trends and create design direction.
• Partner with the sales team on customer meetings.
• Design coherent ranges aligned to each customer's brand.

Skills

Proficient in Adobe Illustrator

Proficient in Photoshop

Strong understanding of gauge

Strong understanding of stitch techniques

Strong understanding of yarn performance

Strong colour sense

Attention to detail

Commercial mindset

Confident communicator

Job description

We have partnered with a London based fashion company who are seeking a creative, commercially aware Knitwear Designer to develop on-trend, production ready knit collections across womenswear.

You will translate seasonal direction into compelling product for key UK and international high street and online retailers, partnering closely with sales, technical, and offshore factories to deliver on time and to margin.

This role offers hybrid working.

Main Responsibilities will include:

• Research seasonal trends, yarns, stitches, colour, and silhouettes, creating clear design direction and mood boards.
• Partner with the sales team on customer meetings, presenting ranges, responding to briefs, and building repeatable bestsellers.
• Design coherent ranges across all gauges aligned to each customer's brand handwriting and price architecture.
• Produce CADs and technical packs with accurate specs and construction notes.
• Brief and manage sample development with overseas factories.
• Attend fit sessions with the technologist, actioning comments.
• Track critical paths, ensuring all design milestones, samples, and approvals are delivered to calendar.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience designing knitwear for a high street brand or supplier, with strong understanding of gauge, stitch techniques, and yarn performance.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Confident communicator with retailers and factories; able to present ranges persuasively.
• Commercial mindset with strong colour sense, attention to detail, and ability to balance creativity with margin.
• Highly organised, calm under pressure, and comfortable managing multiple customers and deadlines.