Design & Creative Assistant (East)

Hours / Duration: 37.5 hours per week

Established in 1994, East is a British brand with a deep-rooted connection to India's rich history and artisanal traditions. We create timeless pieces designed to be treasured and handed down as heirlooms in contrast to overconsumption and waste. Each garment is crafted to tell a story - one of artistry and culture. In 2018, Peter Simon, founder of Monsoon Accessorize, acquired East with a vision to preserve its dedication to craft and heritage. Relaunched in 2019, East remains true to its origins while embracing fresh ideas that drive the brand forward.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Design Assistant to join the East team. As a Design Assistant, you will be assisting the Designer with all apparel and accessories to further develop an existing range as well as assist with the wider teams. We are looking for individuals passionate about design, colour, and creating innovative ways to convey our brand's handwriting.

What will you do as a Design Assistant?

• Provide general administrative support to the design department as required.
• Assist and support in the day-to-day operation of the design area; to assist in designing, developing, and sampling an original and innovative range in line with the brand handwriting and business objectives.
• Identifying seasonal trends as appropriate for the brand including key fashion profiles, colours, fabrications, and must-haves for the season.
• Assist in compiling strong reference material, including researching and compiling mood boards and colour palettes.
• Assist in the planning of the Critical Path for product areas, ensuring effective communication with suppliers and relevant team members.
• Using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to produce flat sketches and other work as required.
• Ability to create sketches and other creative material by hand.
• Digital production of embroideries, appliques, motifs, and graphics.

What you will need to succeed as a Design Assistant?

• Keen interest and passion to work in fashion design.
• One year's experience as a Design Assistant for a fashion retailer or a supplier in this market.
• Degree in Fashion.
• Ability to use CAD, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, as well as freehand sketching and designing.
• Good understanding of components and a basic knowledge of construction and manufacturing.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and an ability to work under own initiative.
• Confident and articulate communicator with an ability to build strong relationships.
• Ability to deliver to tight timescales and work under pressure.
• Excellent eye for colour.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of ‘brand handwriting’.

What will we offer you in return?

• Competitive salary.
• 23 days holiday with the option to purchase additional holiday through our salary sacrifice scheme.
• Bonus day holiday each year after 6 months service.
• A pension that you will be automatically enrolled in after 3 months.
• Life assurance (subject to participating in the pension scheme).
• A flexible working approach.
• Early pay day Friday finish.
• A generous staff discount with up to 50% discount on our products.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Discounted membership for our on-campus Wellness Centre.
• Additional discounts such as Westfield discount, etc.

Please include examples of your CAD work or tech packs for consideration.

At Monsoon Accessorize, we don’t focus only on what we do, we also care about how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and an environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people and are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will also consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise. We provide reasonable accommodations as needed to people with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.