Mid-Level Intimate Apparel & Activewear Designer

Alpha Fashion; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpha Fashion Group in Dublin is seeking a Mid-Level Fashion Designer to join our energetic design team. You will blend fashion awareness with commercial insight to develop products across multiple accounts, translating briefs into CADs, tech packs and range plans.

You will research trends, create seasonal concepts, and collaborate with sales and KAM teams to deliver commercially viable collections. The role offers hybrid work in Dublin, with growth opportunities under Senior Designer guidance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related discipline.
• Three to six years of relevant fashion design experience.
• A strong and up-to-date portfolio demonstrating creativity, technical ability and commercial awareness.
• A strong eye for fashion, colour, print, proportion, detail and emerging trends.
• Proven ability to interpret customer briefs and translate ideas into commercially relevant products.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign.
• Experience producing professional CADs, technical drawings, product specifications and detailed tech packs.
• Strong understanding of garment or product construction, fit, fabrics, materials and trims.
• Experience reviewing prototypes and samples and providing clear design feedback.
• Strong comparative-shopping, market-research and competitor-analysis skills.
• Ability to identify commercially relevant product and material innovation opportunities.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of assigned projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of customer, product, quality, price and market considerations.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple customers, projects and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with sales teams, KAMs and other design team members.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, follow direction and deliver the agreed outcome.
• A positive, professional and solutions-focused approach.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland.
• Previous experience working with Primark.
• Experience working with another major value-fashion, high-street or international retailer.
• Experience managing multiple customer accounts or product categories.
• Experience preparing customer-specific ranges and commercial product presentations.
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior members of a design team.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and emerging product innovations.

Responsibilities

• Research seasonal trends, consumer behaviour, competitor activity and emerging market opportunities.
• Conduct regular comparative shopping both online and in-store.
• Analyse competitor ranges, styling, colour, print, materials, finishes, pricing and product positioning.
• Translate comp-shop findings into clear, commercially relevant design and product opportunities.
• Maintain a strong awareness of emerging fashion, colour, print, fabric, material and lifestyle trends.
• Identify innovation opportunities across product design, materials, construction, function, trims and finishes.
• Stay informed about sustainability developments, new materials and changing consumer preferences.
• Present trend, market and innovation findings clearly to the wider design and commercial teams.
• Develop seasonal concepts, mood boards, colour palettes, prints, graphics and product directions.
• Interpret customer briefs provided by the sales and KAM teams.
• Translate briefs into creative, relevant and commercially viable product proposals.
• Design products that align with each customer’s brand identity, target consumer, price positioning and commercial objectives.
• Produce clear and accurate CADs, technical drawings, colourways and product specifications.
• Create and maintain detailed and accurate tech packs throughout the product development process.
• Develop coordinated product ranges with a clear design direction and strong commercial potential.
• Balance creativity and innovation with customer requirements, cost considerations and critical-path deadlines.
• Respond quickly and effectively to feedback, changes in direction and emerging commercial opportunities.
• Ensure all creative work is completed to a consistently high standard.
• Review prototypes and development samples to ensure the original design intent is achieved.
• Assess construction, proportion, colour, materials, quality and fit where relevant.
• Provide clear, accurate and constructive sample feedback through the appropriate internal team members.
• Identify potential design or technical issues at an early stage and recommend practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate records of design changes, sample comments and approvals.
• Ensure all CADs, technical information and tech packs are complete and accurate.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Trend research

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design

Tools

CAD software

Tech pack tools

Job description

Reports to: Senior Designer / Design Manager

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Working arrangement: Hybrid – three days in the Dublin office and two days working remotely

Salary: Dependent on experience

Preferred experience: Previous experience working with Primark or another major value-fashion retailer

Applicants must have proven commercial design experience across lingerie/underwear, activewear and seamless product; this is an essential requirement.

About the Role

Alpha Fashion Group is looking for a creative, commercially minded and highly organised Mid-Level Fashion Designer to join our Dublin-based design team.

The successful candidate will combine a strong eye for fashion and emerging trends with the technical knowledge and commercial awareness required to develop successful products across multiple customer accounts.

You will research seasonal and emerging trends, conduct regular comparative shopping, identify innovation opportunities, develop creative concepts and translate ideas into accurate CADs, technical drawings and tech packs.

The role requires someone who can work confidently and independently, use their initiative and take ownership of assigned projects and product categories. You must also be a collaborative team member who can work effectively with the sales team, Key Account Managers and other members of the design team.

This position is suitable for a designer with three to six years of relevant experience who is ready to manage projects and product categories independently while continuing to work under the direction of a Senior Designer or Design Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Trend, Market and Innovation Research

• Research seasonal trends, consumer behaviour, competitor activity and emerging market opportunities.
• Conduct regular comparative shopping both online and in-store.
• Analyse competitor ranges, styling, colour, print, materials, finishes, pricing and product positioning.
• Translate comp-shop findings into clear, commercially relevant design and product opportunities.
• Maintain a strong awareness of emerging fashion, colour, print, fabric, material and lifestyle trends.
• Identify innovation opportunities across product design, materials, construction, function, trims and finishes.
• Stay informed about sustainability developments, new materials and changing consumer preferences.
• Present trend, market and innovation findings clearly to the wider design and commercial teams.

Creative and Product Development

• Develop seasonal concepts, mood boards, colour palettes, prints, graphics and product directions.
• Interpret customer briefs provided by the sales and KAM teams.
• Translate briefs into creative, relevant and commercially viable product proposals.
• Design products that align with each customer’s brand identity, target consumer, price positioning and commercial objectives.
• Produce clear and accurate CADs, technical drawings, colourways and product specifications.
• Create and maintain detailed and accurate tech packs throughout the product development process.
• Develop coordinated product ranges with a clear design direction and strong commercial potential.
• Balance creativity and innovation with customer requirements, cost considerations and critical-path deadlines.
• Respond quickly and effectively to feedback, changes in direction and emerging commercial opportunities.
• Ensure all creative work is completed to a consistently high standard.

Sample Review and Technical Execution

• Review prototypes and development samples to ensure the original design intent has been achieved.
• Assess construction, proportion, colour, materials, quality and fit where relevant.
• Provide clear, accurate and constructive sample feedback through the appropriate internal team members.
• Identify potential design or technical issues at an early stage and recommend practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate records of design changes, sample comments and approvals.
• Ensure all CADs, technical information and tech packs are complete and accurate.
• Follow assigned products through each stage of the design and development process.

Internal Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with the sales team, Key Account Managers and other members of the design team across multiple customer accounts.
• Support sales and KAM teams with CADs, trend research, comp-shop analysis, range development and presentation materials.
• Translate customer feedback communicated by the sales and KAM teams into clear design actions.
• Work closely with the Senior Designer and Design Manager to deliver the wider design strategy.
• Contribute positively to design reviews, range reviews and internal development meetings.
• Prepare professional and visually engaging range and collection presentations.
• Share relevant market, trend and product insights with other members of the team.
• Maintain positive and professional working relationships across the design, sales and account-management teams.
• Mentor and support Junior Designers or Design Assistants where required.

Ownership and Project Management

• Independently manage assigned briefs, projects and product categories from initial concept through to final approval.
• Take responsibility for the accuracy, quality and timely delivery of all assigned work.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple customer accounts, product categories, briefs and competing deadlines simultaneously.
• Adapt creative and commercial thinking to suit different customers, brand identities, target consumers, price points and product strategies.
• Prioritise work effectively and ensure that all deadlines are met.
• Use initiative to identify potential problems, propose solutions and progress work without requiring constant direction.
• Communicate progress, concerns or potential delays promptly to the Senior Designer, Design Manager, sales team or relevant KAM.
• Respond positively to constructive feedback and follow agreed actions through to completion.
• Remain flexible and solutions-focused when priorities or customer requirements change.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related discipline.
• Three to six years of relevant fashion design experience.
• A strong and up-to-date portfolio demonstrating creativity, technical ability and commercial awareness.
• A strong eye for fashion, colour, print, proportion, detail and emerging trends.
• Proven ability to interpret customer briefs and translate ideas into commercially relevant products.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of Adobe InDesign.
• Experience producing professional CADs, technical drawings, product specifications and detailed tech packs.
• Strong understanding of garment or product construction, fit, fabrics, materials and trims.
• Experience reviewing prototypes and samples and providing clear, accurate design feedback.
• Strong comparative-shopping, market-research and competitor-analysis skills.
• Ability to identify commercially relevant product and material innovation opportunities.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of assigned projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of customer, product, quality, price and market considerations.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple customers, projects and competing deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with sales teams, KAMs and other design team members.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback, follow direction and deliver the agreed outcome.
• A positive, professional and solutions-focused approach.
• Eligibility to work in Ireland.
• Previous experience working with Primark.
• Experience working with another major value-fashion, high-street or international retailer.
• Experience managing multiple customer accounts or product categories.
• Experience preparing customer-specific ranges and commercial product presentations.
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior members of a design team.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials and emerging product innovations.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Creative, fashion-aware and commercially focused.
• Curious about emerging trends, consumer behaviour and innovation.
• Proactive and confident in using their own initiative.
• Capable of working independently while supporting wider team priorities.
• Highly organised and able to maintain accuracy while working at pace.
• Collaborative, approachable and supportive of other team members.
• Open to feedback and committed to continuous development.
• Confident communicating creative ideas and commercial recommendations.
• Reliable, accountable and willing to take ownership.
• Flexible and calm when priorities or customer requirements change.