At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative Nightwear and Swimwear products that excite customers.
- Company: Join a leading fashion brand known for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of fashion with your unique design vision.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Nightwear design and strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
About the role
As a Designer (L6) within our Product Design Profession, you will be the driving force behind designing, developing, and delivering original, relevant, and customer‑centric own‑brand products. Utilising deep customer insights, you will inspire, excite, and delight our customers while delivering planned growth for your categories. We are seeking a true specialist; someone who "owns" their product area. While you will provide strategic oversight across Underwear and Swim, you will act as the primary expert and specialist in Nightwear, ensuring a commercial and clear direction that sets the standard for the industry. You will take a leading role in design projects, working independently, alongside or in collaboration with the wider Design and Trading community. As part of your role you will be mentoring within the wider design and category teams, sharing significant experience and knowledge supporting where needed.
Contract type – This position is a Permanent contract.
Working pattern/flexible working – The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you’ll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The expectation is for three in‑person days per week, which can include your time spent on store visits and meeting brands / suppliers. For Fashion Design this is generally Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Location – This role is based at our London Head Office campus in Pimlico. Travel may be required to Europe, the Far East & India.
FYI – This position is predominantly focused on Nightwear Design; however, as the role also involves the oversight of our swimwear design team, previous experience in this category is highly desirable.
Next Steps – The application process requires you to upload a portfolio / examples of your work along with your CV and application answers. Portfolio reviews will be held virtually with the strongest applications before shortlisting for interviews. If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be required to provide your portfolio to the assessors as well as present a small project that will be provided to you in advance. Interviews will be held in person, at our Head Office in Pimlico.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic Design & Ownership: Category Leadership – Take the lead on Nightwear design projects, working independently and collaboratively to deliver "best-in-class" products.
- Specialist Expertise – Demonstrate significant experience in Nightwear, overseeing Underwear and Swim to ensure a cohesive, distinct, and unique customer offer.
- Commercial Direction – Partner closely with Buying, Merchandising, and Technical teams to co‑create briefs and deliver outcomes aligned with brand guidelines and commercial goals.
- Strategic Thinking – Work alongside the Category Design Lead to drive your category in line with business outcomes, keeping the "voice of the customer" at the heart of every decision.
Design Excellence & Innovation:
- Research & Trend – Lead seasonal trend research, setting color palettes and mood boards that reflect market conditions and evolving customer needs.
- Sustainability – Review technological advancements and incorporate new ways to meet Partnership ES (Environmental/Sustainability) standards.
- Technical Mastery – Produce precise design packs and fulfill briefs with innovative solutions. You will be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and specialist design software, ensuring the sampling process is efficient and accurate.
- IP Protection – Limit risk and protect intellectual property through meticulous record‑keeping and traceability of style references.
Leadership & Partnership Principles:
- Mentorship – Act as a role model within the Design Profession, mentoring and sharing knowledge to help the wider team achieve their potential.
- Deputising – Support the Category Design Lead, stepping in to deputise and provide leadership for the category when appropriate.
- Co‑ownership – Act in accordance with the Partnership's purpose and democratic principles, speaking honestly and frequently to improve the business.
About You
- The Specialist – You are a seasoned designer with a deep‑stated passion and expertise in Nightwear. You understand the technicalities of the product area and have the "handwriting" to create a unique market position.
- The Collaborator – You thrive in a cross‑functional environment, working seamlessly with Trading and Technical communities to ensure the best product for the collection.
- The Mentor – You are committed to personal and professional development, both for yourself and for those you mentor within the studio.
- Agile & Global – You are comfortable with EU and International travel for product development and embrace the Partnership's agile and flexible working practices.
Essential skills/experience you’ll need
- Experience in stakeholder management, excellent communication and presentation skills.
- A proven commercial focus.
- A track record of credible creative achievements.
- A strong understanding of the JL&P brand and / or sub‑brands, their brand values and potential for product.
Desirable skills/experience you may have
- BA degree in Design.
- Substantial experience within a retail product design studio.
- Good external network across the design industry.
Important points to note
It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible. We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Womenswear Designer – S.U.N (Nightwear/Swimwear) employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Womenswear Designer – S.U.N (Nightwear/Swimwear)
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best Nightwear designs and any relevant Swimwear projects. We want to see your unique style and creativity shine through!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your presentation skills! When you get that interview invite, you'll need to present a small project. Rehearse how you'll explain your design choices and the thought process behind them. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with other designers and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have insider info or tips about the role you're after. Plus, it shows you're engaged in the community!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to apply directly!
We think you need these skills to ace Womenswear Designer – S.U.N (Nightwear/Swimwear)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Your portfolio is your chance to shine! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially in Nightwear and Swimwear. We want to see your creativity and how you bring ideas to life, so pick pieces that really represent your style and expertise.
Tailor Your CV: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to highlight your experience in Nightwear design and any relevant projects. We’re looking for someone who understands the market and can demonstrate their commercial focus, so make sure that comes through.
Answer Application Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time with the application questions. This is your chance to show us your strategic thinking and how you keep the customer at the heart of your designs. Be clear and concise, and don’t forget to let your passion for design shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and what we’re looking for!
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring your portfolio to the interview and be ready to discuss your previous work in detail. Highlight your Nightwear designs specifically, as this role requires a deep understanding of that area. Prepare to explain your design process and how you incorporate customer insights into your work.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with the JL&P brand and its sub-brands before the interview. Understand their values and how your design philosophy aligns with them. This will help you demonstrate your commercial focus and show that you can contribute to the brand's growth.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Think of specific examples where you've successfully partnered with buying, merchandising, or technical teams to deliver outstanding products.
✨Stay Current on Trends
Research current trends in Nightwear and Swimwear, and be ready to discuss how these trends can influence your designs. Bring along some ideas for seasonal colour palettes or mood boards that reflect market conditions, showing that you’re proactive and innovative in your approach.