THE ROLE

Want to see your designs worn by millions? As a Senior Designer at TOPSHOP, you’ll be plugged into 20-something culture and on the pulse of the latest fashion and trends that our customers love. You’ll need to be a creative, commercial and highly experienced Designer who works collaboratively. Senior Designers play a critical role at TOPSHOP working closely with Merchandising, Buying and Technical teams to build a commercial and trend-led product range for the department that is loved by the TOPSHOP customer, globally.

As Senior Designer on Jersey, you will need to have a creative eye that can cover stand out fashion across smart & casual jersey, must have basics and a strong vision on graphics & print. The successful candidate will have a strong knowledge across jersey fabrics and experience of working with suppliers and factories to develop the newest fabrics for every season. This is a fast-paced department which is constantly pushing new design concepts and innovation.  

THE TEAM

 TOPSHOP is one of the UK’s top fashion brands – focusing on elevation, differentiation, curation, inclusivity & sustainability. Our values are to be authentic, brave, creative and disciplined, and we live and breathe these in everything we do.

The Design team is instrumental in making TOPSHOP the leading destination for fashion-loving 20-something customers across womenswear and menswear.

The Design Team look for inspiration all around the world, along with street style, vintage shopping, music, art, the catwalk and all things creative, to design the latest product for the range. TOPSHOP is all about newness and product elevation at every level. Our teams focus on developing and delivering a range that pushes the boundaries and meets the needs of our customer.

You’ll be…

• Researching, developing and creating a market leading Jersey range, including developing big deals, key seasonal shapes, selecting fabrics, trends and items for the TOPSHOP customer.

• Researching & advising on graphic & print direction every month/season: working closely with in-house & freelance graphic designers and jersey suppliers to develop the most innovative print & graphics for the TOPSHOP range.

• Strong vision and direction on jersey basics both for Core and premium ranges, fashion jersey and Co-ords

• As a Senior Designer you will play a key role in brainstorming & collating trend direction for the TOPSHOP brand.

• Presenting trend research to other teams including Buying and Commercial leadership, where relevant

• Collaborating across departments and functions of the business including Marketing, to ensure the design vision is communicated clearly

• Identifying and executing new product opportunities as they emerge in the market

• Contributing to business wide initiatives and projects, positively influencing and championing change 

• Using relevant sales data and insights to design commercially relevant, fashion forward ranges

• Anticipating the needs of the 20-something customer, using sales data, customer profile analytics and trend research to deliver commercial product ranges

• Sourcing new fabrications, techniques and trimmings

• Working closely with in-house Buying teams – collaborating to create fresh product, each season and shape the product direction for the department, ensuring that it is aligned to the brand and divisional strategy

• Working with the Technical team on fits on a weekly basis, identifying and helping create new silhouette blocks for the department and produce a commercial range

• Building relationships with suppliers and advising factories on direction, silhouette, construction, key details, fabrics, trimmings and artworks.

• Managing, developing and motivating more junior team members, providing them with clear direction and regular feedback

• Supporting and deputising for the Head of Design as required, for example, attending product reviews or guiding the team on range building

• Maintaining a clear understanding of brand purpose and Fashion with Integrity and ensuring these principles are fully embedded within the team.  Looking for opportunities to use sustainable materials wherever possible

• Agreeing styling and visual merchandising guidelines with Studios and Global teams

• Leading/Role model and building a strong team of junior levels, with a focus on growing future talent

• Providing clear direction and development to the team, identifying individual training needs and encouraging collaborative ways of working

• Motivating and engaging the team through recognition and regular feedback

We’d love to meet, someone with…

• Significant experience in multi-product Design within an aspirational brand or high street Retailer

• Previous experience of direct sourcing from fabric mills, with knowledge of cut and construction

• Experience in seamless jersey and working closely with seamless jersey factories tom develop monthly collections.

• Experience in working with pattern cutters & machinists so that you are able to develop the best stand out fashion product for the jersey range.

• Experience of working cross-functionally to deliver initiatives that have a positive commercial impact

• Proven ability to drive the success of a department or brand through strategic and commercial thinking

• A commercial handwriting and strong understanding of the TOPSHOP Brand and Customer

• Experience with Photoshop, Adobe, CAD

• Plugged into 20-something culture and fashion, passionate about the product

• Strong organisation skills, initiative, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• The ability to build great relationships with colleagues across the business and suppliers alike

• Can gain buy in from the team and management to potentialize opportunities

• Embraces and champions the benefits of change within the wider team

• Demonstrates an effective and inclusive leadership style, role modelling positive behaviours and providing the team with clear direction and development

• Comfortable travelling in the UK and internationally for supplier/product development meetings and inspirational purposes

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary, bonus and pension matching

• Life insurance, free private medical care, cycle to work scheme + more

• A bespoke flexible benefits scheme catered to you

• Best in class Learning & Development schemes and career development programmes

• 25 days holiday + never work on your birthday again!

• Free modern onsite gym, plus personal training and wellness rooms

• A dynamic social environment, from company-wide sports days, charity days, ‘Give A Week Away’ opportunities to visit our charity partners in India & company-wide celebrations to name just a few

• Huge staff discounts and sample sales