At a Glance
- Tasks: Create original, high-quality softs designs that reflect our brand and meet customer needs.
- Company: Join ME+EM, a fast-growing luxury fashion brand with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, competitive salary, and a fun work environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while working with a passionate and creative team.
- Qualifications: Experience in softs design, creativity, and strong technical knowledge required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Reporting to: Design Director
Location: Head Office, White City Place, West London
Contract Type: Fixed Term 1 year contract, Full time, 37.5 hours per week
About Us
ME+EM is one of the UK's fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. In addition to a thriving global digital presence, we operate flagship stores in London and Edinburgh, concessions within Harrods and Selfridges, and have recently expanded with new store openings in the U.S.
At ME+EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding.
Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it's fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone's hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.
About the Role
ME+EM are looking for a Senior Softs Designer to create original, high-quality product that embodies our brand DNA, captures relevant emerging trends, and delivers commercial success through strong margin and on-time delivery. You'll play a key role in shaping the softs collection, bringing creative vision, technical confidence, and commercial thinking to every stage of the process.
Responsibilities
- Has a clear understanding of the ME+EM Brand positioning and designs product that appropriately reflects the brand & customer requirements.
- Works with the Softs team to build stories, produce mood boards and colour palettes for each story.
- Responsible for designing own styles from initial research, through detailed sketches, artwork and spec packages, working with suppliers to develop the first prototype.
- Manages the presentation of styles in the run up to Sketch & Swatch meetings, working closely with the Senior Softs team to be prepared and ready for presentation to the Design Director.
- Produces detailed tech packs, working with our PLM and liaising with suppliers & factories confidently.
- Manages presentation of own styles in the Proto meetings. Decides the best styling for each piece to showcase its part of the Fashion Lego and appropriateness for the collection.
- Able to view the whole softs collection, ensuring that the offer caters to a broad range of customers as well as ensuring that outfit building is achieved through collaboration with other senior designers.
- Anticipates and meets the customers' needs through the customer and sales feedback and uses this to appropriately influence designs.
- Manages the actions from the Sketch & Swatch, Proto, Intake meetings in a timely fashion.
- Proactively presents lab dips, colour options, inspiration in Proto meetings to support the decision-making process.
- Able to lead in fit sessions, working with the Garment Tech & Buyer and at times mentoring the junior designer to ensure all styles are reviewed in accordance with the brand DNA, cost and quality.
- Aware of company and competitor product and retail prices and can work on design developments to achieve price targets.
- Understands and achieves company wide and individual style critical paths. Is decisive to avoid blockages to critical path and collaboratively works to resolve these.
- Working proactively with a junior designer, alongside the other senior softs designers, to ensure workload is managed, critical path deadlines are met, and the range is balanced and cohesive.
External awareness
- To ensure that new trends are identified and included in the range as appropriate.
- To build own trend awareness through inspiration shopping, personal research and other mediums; constantly looking for new sources of inspiration.
- Continually seeks to keep abreast of new technologies, trends, suppliers and techniques.
- Seasonal store visits - with Design & Technical to ensure brand KPI's are consistently achieved.
- Sourcing fabrics that meet the ME+EM customer expectations (washable where relevant, non-crease, luxurious, a point of difference).
- Meeting suppliers/ travel where appropriate to develop new styles/ fabric/ trims.
- Attendance at fabric fairs.
Skills
- Commercial and Aspirational softs design with relevant design experience.
- Highly creative, trend driven with a high-end taste level and a true connection to softs product design with an infinity for print and pattern as well as fabric and trim.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced fashion environment.
- Good technical knowledge and understanding of garment construction.
- Able to work on their own- take initiative and work as part of a team.
Employee Benefits
33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8)
Senior Softs Designer in London employer: ME AND EM
Contact Detail:
ME AND EM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Softs Designer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fashion industry, especially those connected to ME+EM. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about sliding into DMs. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you get that interview, bring your A-game with a stunning portfolio that highlights your best designs. Make sure it reflects your understanding of the ME+EM brand and showcases your creativity and technical skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching ME+EM’s latest collections and trends. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their brand DNA. This shows you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying – a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Softs Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design: When you're writing your application, let your love for design shine through! Share specific examples of your previous work that reflect your creativity and understanding of the ME+EM brand. We want to see how you can bring our vision to life!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Softs Designer role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We appreciate when candidates take the time to show us why they’re a perfect fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. We’re busy, and we love applications that get straight to the good stuff without fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ME+EM family!
How to prepare for a job interview at ME AND EM
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into ME+EM's brand ethos and product lines. Familiarise yourself with their latest collections and understand how they position themselves in the luxury fashion market. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their vision and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Showcase Your Creative Process
Prepare to discuss your design process in detail. Bring along a portfolio that highlights your ability to create original designs, from initial sketches to final tech packs. Be ready to explain how you incorporate trends and customer feedback into your work, as this aligns perfectly with the role's responsibilities.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Brush up on your technical knowledge of garment construction and fabric sourcing. Expect questions about how you would approach designing a new collection or managing critical paths. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will showcase your expertise and readiness for the fast-paced environment at ME+EM.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with other designers and junior team members, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative settings. Share examples of how you've mentored others or contributed to team projects, highlighting your ability to balance individual creativity with teamwork.