Senior Designer

Naked Wolfe; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A contemporary fashion brand is seeking a Senior Designer to lead the creative direction of their footwear collections. This role involves designing innovative products, collaborating with teams, and ensuring alignment with the brand's aesthetic. The ideal candidate will possess strong design sensibility, knowledge of footwear construction, and proficiency in design software. You will be responsible for trend research, concept development, and presenting designs to leadership, while maintaining timelines for wholesale deadlines.

Qualifications

• Strong design sensibility with an eye for proportion and detailing.
• Excellent understanding of footwear construction and materials.
• Ability to interpret trend research into commercially viable designs.

Responsibilities

• Create original, trend-relevant footwear designs.
• Lead the creative development of wholesale collections.
• Present final designs to the Creative Director and leadership team.

Skills

Design sensibility

Footwear construction understanding

Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator

Proficiency in Photoshop

3D visualization tools

Organization skills

Communication skills

Job description

Role Overview

The Senior Designer plays a pivotal role in shaping the creative direction of Naked Wolfe’s footwear collections. This position demands a balance of innovative design thinking, commercial awareness, and a strong understanding of the brand’s distinctive aesthetic. The Senior Designer will drive product concepts from ideation through to production, ensuring every collection reflects Naked Wolfe’s creative DNA and aligns with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Core Design Duties

• Create original, trend-relevant footwear designs aligned with Naked Wolfe’s brand identity and customer base.
• Research global fashion, art, and street culture trends to inspire new silhouettes, materials, and color stories.
• Develop seasonal design concepts, mood boards, and product narratives in collaboration with the design and marketing teams.
• Produce detailed technical drawings and design packs for sample development.
• Work closely with developers and factories to ensure prototypes meet design intent and quality standards.
• Review samples and provide clear feedback to refine fit, materials, and finishes.

Day-to-Day Expectations

• Participate in daily design team meetings and share ongoing creative progress.
• Maintain organized digital design files, sketches, and seasonal references.
• Collaborate with product development, sourcing, and merchandising teams to ensure timelines and targets are met.
• Communicate proactively with suppliers regarding material options, color matching, and technical challenges.
• Oversee junior designers and provide creative mentorship when needed.
• Stay informed on competitor activity, emerging trends, and cultural influences relevant to Naked Wolfe’s consumer.
• Uphold the brand’s premium creative standards across all deliverables.
• Attend structured bi‑weekly meetings with the Creative Director to present new design concepts, pitch upcoming ideas based on research, and review any items requiring sign‑off.

Wholesale Collections

• Lead the creative and technical development of all wholesale collections, ensuring the range is cohesive, trend‑forward, and commercially strong.
• Adhere strictly to all deadlines for sample submissions, line sheets, and presentations — timeliness is non‑negotiable.
• Utilize data from previous seasons, including bestsellers and regional performance insights, to inform design and assortment strategy.
• Analyze upcoming fashion runway data, street trends, and cultural shifts to anticipate what will resonate in the coming season.
• Prepare all materials, colors, textures, and sample references well ahead of deadlines to guarantee smooth development.

Seasonal Responsibilities

Pre‑Season (Research & Concept Development)

• Conduct trend research and present key design directions.
• Prepare mood boards, color palettes, and inspiration decks for approval.
• Develop initial concept sketches and silhouettes.

Design & Development Phase

• Create and finalize tech packs for prototype samples.
• Review samples and adjust based on fit, construction, and aesthetic.
• Work with the product team to align pricing, materials, and feasibility.

Finalization & Presentation

• Present final designs to the Creative Director and leadership team.
• Support photoshoots, lookbooks, and marketing initiatives with creative input.
• Archive design assets and documentation for future reference.

Post‑Season Review

• Evaluate performance of styles based on sales and feedback.
• Identify opportunities for design improvement or innovation.
• Contribute to debrief sessions and strategic planning for future seasons.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong design sensibility with an eye for proportion, detailing, and innovation.
• Excellent understanding of footwear construction and materials.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and 3D visualization tools (if applicable).
• Ability to interpret trend research into commercially viable designs.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Passion for contemporary fashion, streetwear, and the Naked Wolfe aesthetic.

Performance Expectations

• Deliver all designs and sample developments on schedule, particularly for wholesale deadlines.
• Consistently push creative boundaries while maintaining commercial relevance.
• Collaborate effectively across departments and contribute positively to team culture.
• Maintain accuracy and professionalism in all communications with external partners.