At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Founder in managing projects, reports, and creative initiatives in a fashion business.
- Company: Join Caramel, an independent British fashion brand with a unique creative vision.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and exposure to various aspects of the fashion industry.
- Other info: Dynamic role with diverse responsibilities and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Gain invaluable insights into the fashion world while working closely with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in fashion or creative roles, strong organisational skills, and a passion for design.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Caramel is looking for an exceptional Creative & Business Assistant to work directly with the Founder and Creative Director, Eva Karayiannis. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of an independent, creatively driven fashion business. We are looking for someone highly organised, commercially astute and resourceful, with a genuine interest in fashion, product and how a creative business operates. The position sits across creative, commercial and operational areas of Caramel. It is a varied, hands-on role for someone who enjoys responsibility, takes initiative and is comfortable moving between very different projects and priorities.
The Role
Working closely with the Founder & Creative Director, you will help organise priorities, gather and present information, coordinate projects and ensure that decisions and actions are followed through. Responsibilities will include:
- Managing the Founder’s diary, meetings, travel and appointments
- Collecting and coordinating reports and information from retail, merchandising, production, e-commerce and finance
- Preparing clear, well-structured spreadsheets, reports and presentations
- Following up on actions, requests and deadlines across the business
- Assisting with the buying of selected non-Caramel brands and products for our stores
- Researching new brands, suppliers, products and business opportunities
- Organising and maintaining the Caramel archive, including garments, fabrics, prints, imagery and creative references
- Organising fabric libraries, samples and seasonal materials
- Sourcing and ordering packaging, shopping bags, store materials and other business requirements
- Supporting preparations for meetings, presentations, shoots, travel and special projects
- Liaising with suppliers, stores and members of the wider Caramel team
- Undertaking research and varied ad hoc projects for the Founder
No two days will necessarily be the same. You might be analysing information in Excel, creating a beautifully presented document in InDesign, researching a new brand for our stores, organising an archive or arranging an important trip.
About You
We are looking for someone with an unusual combination of organisation, initiative, commercial awareness and strong visual judgement. You may currently be working in buying, merchandising, brand operations, production, studio management or another role within fashion or a creative business and be looking for broader exposure and responsibility. Ideally, you will have 2+ years of relevant professional experience.
Essential Skills
- Advanced Excel skills — highly confident working with data, formulas and spreadsheets and able to turn information into clear, useful reports
- Excellent Adobe InDesign skills — able to create and update polished presentations, documents and visual reports quickly and accurately
- Exceptional organisation and attention to detail
- Strong numerical and commercial ability
- Proactive, resourceful and comfortable taking initiative
- Strong visual awareness and a genuine interest in fashion, design and product
- Excellent research skills
- Confident communication and excellent written and spoken English
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow tasks through to completion
- Discretion, reliability and professionalism
- A practical attitude and willingness to get involved wherever needed
- A degree in fashion, business or a related discipline is welcomed but not essential. Relevant experience, intelligence, initiative and organisational ability are more important.
About Caramel
Founded in London more than 25 years ago, Caramel is an independent British fashion brand known for its distinctive approach to colour, fabric and understated design. With our own stores and an international business spanning retail, wholesale, e-commerce and creative collaborations, Caramel remains independently minded and creatively led. This position offers unusual exposure to many different aspects of a fashion business — from product, buying and retail to creative direction, production and special projects — while working directly alongside the Founder and Creative Director. It would particularly suit someone who is curious, ambitious and wants to understand how a creative business works as a whole, rather than remain within one narrowly defined function.
Location: London — based in our London studio
Position: Full-time
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Reporting to: Founder & Creative Director
Creative & Business Assistant in London employer: Caramel London
Caramel is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and collaborative work environment, perfect for those passionate about fashion and design. Located in the vibrant Notting Hill area, employees benefit from a supportive culture that encourages personal growth and development, alongside competitive sales incentives. Joining Caramel means being part of a brand that values innovation and customer service excellence, making it a rewarding place to build a career in luxury retail.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative & Business Assistant in London
✨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 Caramel London!
✨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 Caramel London.
✨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 Caramel London.
✨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 Caramel London!
We think you need these skills to ace Creative & Business Assistant in London
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 Caramel London.
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 Caramel London!
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 Caramel London. 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 Caramel London
✨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!
