At a Glance
- Tasks: Design modern womenswear, focusing on soft woven and jersey pieces for upcoming collections.
- Company: Join COS, a brand known for quality and innovative design in the fashion industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 25 days holiday, health checks, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion with your creativity and expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a senior womenswear designer with strong skills in soft fabrics.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are looking for a senior designer with strong expertise in soft woven & jersey womenswear to join our London-based team on an in‑season, reactive design basis. This role will help shape our upcoming collection through a focused, creative process, identifying trends and opportunities to translate into elevated, modern garments that embody the COS design philosophy—functional elegance, sculptural simplicity and purposeful detail.
Your responsibilities include delivering the company vision, developing a cohesive assortment that reflects the COS aesthetic, and leading your team towards achieving targets. This role centres around soft woven products focusing primarily on dresses, skirts and jersey, and includes reactive, in‑season design of highly targeted pieces with a quicker, end‑to‑end development flow.
What You Will Do
- Design predominantly into the soft woven and jersey category, responding to real‑time needs identified for the upcoming season.
- Working to a brief provided by the Head of Design.
- Capture and articulate missed tendencies or emerging opportunities to enrich the collection.
- Collaborate closely with dedicated factory partners.
- Create designs with a faster‑than‑usual turnaround—from initial sketch through to toile, proto and final development.
- Work on long lead time jersey fancy and soft wovens products allowing for in depth stand‑work, draping and pre‑development fittings.
- Partner closely with the factory team, who will be based in London during the launch and development phases.
- Lead fittings planned in a concise window from our central London atelier.
- Lead research and trend analysis to maintain strong customer insight, monitor market changes, and ensure designs meet evolving expectations.
- Ensure high standards of quality, design integrity, and technical expertise in textiles and colours, while developing trends and supporting seasonal campaigns.
- Work closely with cross‑functional teams to maintain critical paths, improve processes, and deliver efficient workflows that support assortment and brand growth.
Qualifications
- Strong, proven experience as a senior womenswear designer in contemporary, premium or luxury brands. Soft background essential.
- Experience partnering with product development teams or factories.
- Strong experience of leading and driving fittings.
- Strong organisation and self‑management skills.
Desired Aesthetic
- Modern, brand‑relevant, effortless womenswear.
- Silhouette‑driven designs and innovative construction.
- Deep understanding of fabric behaviour, drape and technical nuance within soft wovens.
- Refined eye for thoughtful detail and elevated simplicity.
Technical & Creative Capabilities
- Confident hand sketching.
- Strong understanding of pattern cutting and garment construction.
- Experience using 3D design tools is a plus.
Collaborative Ways Of Working
- Ability to work to precise briefs and fast‑paced timelines.
- Comfortable responding to feedback and revising quickly.
- Experience partnering with product development teams or factories.
- Strong experience of leading and driving fittings.
- Strong organisation and self‑management skills.
This is a full‑time permanent role based at our Head Office in London.
Benefits
- Up to 25 days holiday
- Annual health checks
- Pension scheme
- Discounts on various activities and financial/lifestyle products via our benefits hub
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Employee assistance via retail trust
- Private health & dental care
- All employees receive a 25% staff discount usable on all H&M Group brands, plus inclusion in the H&M Incentive Program (HIP).
Inclusion & Diversity
At COS we are determined to create and maintain inclusive, diverse and equitable workplaces throughout our organisation. Our teams should consist of a variety of people that share and combine their knowledge, experience and ideas. Having a diverse workforce leads to a positive impact on how we address challenges, on what we perceive possible and on how we choose to relate to our colleagues and customers all over the world. Hence all diversity dimensions are taken into consideration in our recruitment process.
Company Description
COS offers a wardrobe of ready‑to‑wear and accessories rooted in exceptional quality and lasting design. The creative soul of the brand is fuelled by a deep connection to modern culture, dynamic global cities and compelling fashion movements. With an emphasis on expert craftsmanship, innovation and materiality, collections are created with a mindful approach, seamlessly blending contemporary and timeless.
Job Location: London, UK – Head Office.
COS Senior Designer - Womenswear (softs) employer: BoF Careers
COS is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of London, offering senior designers the opportunity to shape modern womenswear collections with a focus on creativity and craftsmanship. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package including up to 25 days holiday, private health care, and generous staff discounts, all while working in a collaborative environment that encourages personal growth and innovation. With a commitment to diversity and a dynamic approach to fashion, COS provides a rewarding platform for designers to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land COS Senior Designer - Womenswear (softs)
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like BoF Careers!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including BoF Careers.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for BoF Careers.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at BoF Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace COS Senior Designer - Womenswear (softs)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at BoF Careers.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to BoF Careers!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at BoF Careers. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at BoF Careers
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
