At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop trendy womenswear collections with a focus on quality and detail.
- Company: Join the iconic Karen Millen brand, known for its creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive bonuses, private medical cover, and a comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Other info: Embrace change and grow your career in a supportive, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fashion in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Fashion Design and experience in womenswear softs/woven design required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
ABOUT US
Since 1981, Karen Millen has been an iconic name in fashion, known for quality design, premium fabrics, and attention to every detail. Our brand moves fast, sets trends (we don’t follow them), and thrives on creativity and collaboration. Our passion is luxury level quality, our mission is to deliver outstanding value for our customer and to make Karen Millen a truly democratic brand.
THE ROLE
At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike. In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences. Our in-house design team are obsessed with detail. We interpret trends to serve our customer, harnessing the colour palettes and moods of the international catwalks. Due to our continuing growth, we are now looking for an experienced Softs designer to join our passionate, agile and creative team.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Ensure the development of the collection and trends each season for your department.
- Source and develop fabrics for each month to suit your product range.
- Forecasting trends to bring newness and fashionability into the ranges with original, detailed designs.
- Producing in-season catwalk analysis for your department to underpin your range direction.
- Proposing balanced ranges covering customer attitudes, creating total looks and considering her end uses and lifestyle.
- Confidently leading the fit and seal process in our fit sessions, with tech.
- Innovating on bestsellers to ensure the commercial baseline of the range is protected.
- Demonstrating your awareness of what is new in fashion on the street, in the competition and in the designer collections.
- Driving this into the product ranges.
- Alongside the Head of Design and design team, contributing to seasonal research, developing on-brand macro trends at season launch.
- Managing the critical path to hit design deadlines, plan travel calendar and safeguard product through development to booking stage.
- Working closely with buying and senior team to range build and cultivate supplier relationships.
- Onboarding new suppliers to deliver exceptional quality and value for the customer.
- Working with the Head of Design to plan for seasonal shoot campaigns.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
- Demonstrated background in womenswear softs/woven design.
- A degree in Fashion Design or a related discipline.
- Hand drawing, Photoshop and illustrator experience are required.
- In-depth knowledge of textiles, garment construction, and fit, with a strong technical foundation.
- You embrace a high level of professional accountability and are in the detail of the product journey.
- A motivating and inspiring personality who will nurture and develop your direct reports.
- Always professional, focused and driven to bring cohesion and clarity to the range and team.
- Able to think on your feet and problem solve creatively.
- Agility and adaptability are essential.
- Flexible regarding offshore and local travel.
- Creative, organised and passionate about fashion!
WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers—people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.
WHY JOIN US
Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work — without exception. 2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.
Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):
- Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance.
- Discount across all brands.
- Comprehensive wellbeing package.
- Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression.
- Free season ticket loan.
Softs Designer employer: Debenhams Group
At Debenhams Group, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Softs Designer, you will thrive in a fast-paced environment where your ideas are valued, and you have access to ongoing learning and development opportunities. With a commitment to inclusivity and a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive bonuses and a focus on employee wellbeing, working with us means being part of a transformative journey in the fashion retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Softs Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the brand inside out! Research Karen Millen's latest collections, their design ethos, and what makes them tick. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their creative team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events where you might bump into someone from the team. A friendly chat can go a long way in making you memorable when it comes to hiring decisions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it's up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with the softs/woven design focus. Bring it along to interviews and be ready to discuss your design process and inspirations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Debenhams Group family and ready to contribute to our exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Softs Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion:When you're writing your application, let your love for fashion shine through! Share your experiences and how they connect to the role of Softs Designer. We want to see your creativity and enthusiasm for the industry.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your experience in womenswear softs/woven design and any relevant skills like hand drawing or using Photoshop. We appreciate attention to detail!
Be Authentic:We value authenticity, so don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. Share your unique perspective on trends and how you can contribute to our team. Let us know what makes you stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it gets to the right people. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Debenhams Group
✨Know Your Fabrics
As a Softs Designer, you need to be well-versed in textiles. Brush up on your knowledge of different fabrics and their properties before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you would source and develop fabrics that align with the latest trends and customer needs.
✨Showcase Your Design Process
Prepare to walk through your design process step-by-step. Highlight how you interpret trends and create original designs. Bring along a portfolio that showcases your hand drawings and digital work in Photoshop and Illustrator, as this will demonstrate your technical skills and creativity.
✨Stay Trend-Savvy
Keep an eye on current fashion trends, both on the street and in high-end collections. Be prepared to discuss how you would incorporate these trends into your designs. Showing that you can forecast trends and bring newness to the collection will impress the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your experience in collaboration. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with buying teams or suppliers in the past. This will show that you understand the importance of teamwork in delivering exceptional quality and value.
