Womenswear Jersey Designer

TRP Recruitment; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion supplier is seeking a creative and commercial womenswear designer with a background in jersey and athleisure. This role involves designing on-trend collections, collaborating closely with teams, and engaging with retail buyers to ensure timely delivery. The ideal candidate has strong CAD and illustration skills and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This is a maternity cover contract based in Exeter.

Qualifications

• Strong background in jerseywear and/or athleisure with a commercial focus.
• Ability to create innovative designs based on trend insights.
• Experience in fashion design with strong supplier collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop commercial womenswear pieces.
• Research trends to inspire design direction.
• Create design boards and CADs for buyer briefs.
• Collaborate with fabric teams to source innovative materials.
• Present ideas to retail buyers and ensure quality during sampling.

Skills

Strong CAD skills

Design presentation skills

Illustration skills

Trend awareness

Fabric sourcing knowledge

Job description

Are you a creative and commercial womenswear designer with experience across jersey and athleisure? An exciting opportunity has arisen to join this leading fashion supplier, working with major high‑street retailers on trend‑led, fast‑moving product. We’re looking for a proactive, product‑driven designer with strong supplier experience who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and brings a true can‑do attitude. This is a fantastic chance to shape collections across key accounts, designing womenswear with a sharp commercial eye. This role is a maternity cover contract.

Main responsibilities

• Design and develop on‑trend, commercial womenswear jersey, athleisure & activewear pieces for a diverse customer base.
• Research lifestyle trends, influencers, and cultural moments to inspire fresh design direction.
• Create forward‑thinking design boards and CADs in line with buyer briefs and seasonal concepts.
• Partner with the fabric team to source and develop innovative, trend‑led fabrics.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, including sales and production, to deliver standout product.
• Liaise directly with retail buyers, presenting ideas and ensuring designs meet deadlines and expectations.
• Oversee the sampling process, ensuring quality, creativity, and timeliness.

Person specification

• Strong background in jerseywear and/or athleisure, with a proven commercial focus.
• Excellent knowledge of fabric sourcing and the ability to utilise this in innovative ways.
• Confident trend awareness and the ability to anticipate what’s next for the high street.
• Strong CAD, design presentation and illustration skills.
• A creative thinker with a positive, hands‑on attitude and the ability to inspire those around you.