Lead Designer - Topshop

ASOS; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion retailer in London seeks an experienced Lead Designer to shape the brand's strategic direction. In this pivotal role, you will oversee a team, deliver innovative collections, and collaborate across departments to ensure alignment with commercial goals. If you're a creative thinker with proven leadership skills in fashion, we want to hear from you. The role offers unique opportunities for personal development and employee benefits.

Benefits

Employee discount

Personal development opportunities

Employee sample sales

Access to LinkedIn Learning

25 days paid annual leave

Discretionary bonus scheme

Private medical care

Flexible benefits allowance

Qualifications

• Creative thinker with a strong trend vision.
• Proven leadership in a fashion retail environment.
• Expertise in Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear.

Responsibilities

• Deliver overall design strategy for various collections.
• Shape and communicate Topshop/TOPMAN design vision.
• Inspire and lead a team to align design output with brand identity.
• Collaborate with teams for trend-led ranges.
• Identify trends and innovative ideas for product design.
• Champion the Topshop customer in design decisions.

Skills

Creative strategic thinking

Leadership experience

Knowledge of Soft Wovens

Understanding of global fashion trends

Excellent communication

Job description

Company Description

TOPSHOP and TOPMAN are iconic British fashion brands with 60 years of heritage. Headquartered in London, the brands have over 2 million customers worldwide through the ASOS platform and generate approximately £200m in brand sales. Our mission is to unlock the best of fashion for everyone, with creativity and innovation at our core.

Following the formation of a joint venture between ASOS and HEARTLAND in October 2024, ASOS is creating a standalone, cross-functional team dedicated to unlocking the growth potential of TOPSHOP and TOPMAN. The brands will benefit from ASOS infrastructure and resources while maintaining creative freedom and agility.

Over the next 12 months, TOPSHOP and TOPMAN will expand their offline and online retail presence with the launch of Topshop.com and new wholesale partnerships.

Job Description

The Role

Topshop is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Designer to join our dynamic design team. This pivotal role will shape the brand's strategic direction and deliver trend-led, world-class products to our global customer base.

As the Lead Designer, you will oversee a team of 7 talented designers across Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear, ensuring alignment with Topshop's commercial and creative goals. You will collaborate cross-functionally with Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Technical teams to develop innovative, trend-responsive collections.

This role also involves working creatively to translate trend visions into customer-ready concepts, collaborating with the Head of Design on campaign shoots and styling to ensure the trend direction is effectively delivered.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Deliver and develop the overall design strategy for Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear.
2. Work with the Head of Design to shape and communicate the Topshop/Topman design vision, including seasonal trends, big ideas, and campaign styling.
3. Inspire and lead your team, ensuring design output aligns with brand identity and customer needs.
4. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create commercially successful, trend-led ranges for wholesale and global markets.
5. Keep product design ahead of market trends by identifying newness and innovation.
6. Represent and champion the Topshop customer in all design decisions and product uses.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For:

1. A creative, strategic thinker with a strong trend vision.
2. Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced fashion retail environment.
3. Expertise in Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear.
4. Strong understanding of global fashion trends and customer profiles.
5. Excellent communication, organization, and team management skills.

Additional Information

Benefits:

• Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
• Personal development opportunities through ASOS Develops
• Employee sample sales
• Access to LinkedIn Learning materials
• 25 days paid annual leave plus a celebration day
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private medical care scheme
• Flexible benefits allowance, which can be taken as cash or used for other benefits