Student Placement - Accessories

BARBOUR; Jarrow; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known British fashion brand based in South Shields is offering a paid 12-month student placement in their Accessories team. This role involves assisting designers, conducting market research, and participating in the product development process. Ideal candidates will have strong organizational skills and a passion for fashion. Join a dynamic team and gain valuable experience in the fashion industry while enjoying various benefits, including staff discounts and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Staff discount

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Access to training and development activities

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

Hybrid & flexible working

4pm finish on a Friday

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Good time management skills are essential.
• Must be highly organised and have a strong interest in Accessories.
• Ability to undertake a 12-month placement as part of your course.

Responsibilities

• Assist designers with mood boards and fabric boards.
• Conduct trend and competitor brand research.
• Manage seasonal fabric and trim folders.
• Attend sample review sessions with the product team.

Skills

Highly organised

Strong communication skills

Desire to work for a British Heritage Brand

Proactive and flexible working manner

Good working knowledge of Cad, Illustrator, and Photoshop

Education

Currently studying an Undergraduate Sandwich Degree Course

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft business packages

Job description

Company Description

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview

We are excited to announce that we have opened the application process for our Barbour Accessories Student Placement Programme within our Accessories team. In Barbour's paid placement programme, students get a full immersion into the brand's culture for a 12‑month period. During this time, our Placement Students become an integral part of the team, tackling complex business challenges, contributing to the company's growth, and building relationships and skills that they will then carry forward throughout their career. In line with Barbour's aim to offer essential training to students wishing to work in the fashion business, this role has been developed so that you can gain experience in how design and development functions and the interaction across the business. This opportunity will be a temporary training contract from Summer 2026 – Summer 2027.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist designers with mood boards, colour palettes and fabric boards.
• Use of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to assist designers and undertake your own design briefs to deadlines.
• Trend and competitor brand research.
• Set up and maintain specs and matrixes to keep them updated throughout the season.
• Organise and manage seasonal fabric, trim and supplier reference folders.
• Attend sample review sessions working in line with the product team.
• Working to timelines, ensure given projects such as, photo shoots, design meeting samples and showroom samples are delivered on time.
• Communication across all head office functions and seniority levels.
• Attend weekly design and development meetings, following through on required actions.
• Assist and support the Accessories team with presentations and meetings by organising samples, developing presentation boards and notetaking.
• Produce product presentations for launch.
• Assist with preparation for launch including model dressing, unpacking samples and dressing the showroom.
• Undertake any other reasonable activity as may be required by senior management.
• Parcel sending.

Skills and Experience

• Highly organised with good time management.
• Desire to work for a British Heritage Brand.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft business packages.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proactive and flexible working manner.
• Good time keeping.
• Good working knowledge of Cad. Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong interest in Accessories.

Additional Information

• To apply for this placement, you must be currently studying an Undergraduate Sandwich Degree Course and able to undertake 12 months in industry as part of your course.
• This placement is based in our South Shields Head Office.

Benefits

• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• 25 days holiday as standard plus bank holidays
• Access to training and development activities to support your studies
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Reward & Recognition Program

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.