At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop trendy footwear and accessories for diverse brands.
- Company: Join a leading fashion retailer with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and mental health support.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of ladies' footwear.
- Qualifications: Experience in ladies' footwear design and strong portfolio required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A day in the life of a Junior Footwear Designer involves designing and developing innovative, trend-led footwear and potentially accessory ranges across multiple brands and customer profiles. Responsibilities include:
- Researching and translating emerging trends, colour palettes, and materials into commercial product concepts.
- Working cross-functionally with Ladieswear, Buying, Technical, and Studio teams to ensure collections are cohesive and aligned with brand direction.
- Preparing and presenting design concepts, mood boards, and trend direction for internal reviews and seasonal sign-offs.
- Designing with the customer in mind, understanding brand positioning, price architecture, and key seasonal focuses.
- Partnering with suppliers and factories to develop samples, refine materials, and maintain product integrity through to production.
- Balancing creativity with commercial viability, ensuring products meet margin and cost targets.
- Supporting the Head of Design with seasonal strategy, product innovation, and long-term design direction.
What are we looking for:
- Proven experience designing ladies footwear (and ideally accessories) for a fashion retailer or supplier.
- A strong portfolio showcasing creative, trend-led, and commercially viable designs.
- Excellent understanding of footwear construction, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Strong trend forecasting and visual research skills.
- Confident in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and proficient in CAD.
- Exceptional styling eye and ability to interpret trends across different customer demographics.
- A collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to work to multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
What's in it for you:
- Hybrid working (2-3 days in the office at a minimum).
- 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays).
- Annual bonus scheme.
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave.
- Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution.
- Mental health support both internally and externally, including access to wellbeing champions and counselling services.
- A range of financial wellbeing support.
- Stream – a financial wellbeing tool that helps you track your pay, access earnings early and manage your money with confidence.
- Colleague discount across all N Brown brands.
- Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts.
- Life assurance and private medical insurance.
- Paid volunteer time – a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of your choice.
Junior Footwear Designer / Footwear Designer - Ladieswear in Manchester employer: N Brown
N Brown is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and collaborative work environment for Junior Footwear Designers. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer hybrid working options, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive mental health support, ensuring our team thrives both personally and professionally. Our commitment to innovation and growth provides ample opportunities for career advancement while working on trend-led designs that resonate with diverse customer profiles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Footwear Designer / Footwear Designer - Ladieswear in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best ladies' footwear designs and any accessories you've worked on. We want to see your creativity and how you translate trends into commercial products.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to connect with others in the fashion world, especially those who might be working at companies you're interested in.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You’ll need to prepare and present design concepts, so get comfortable talking about your work. We suggest doing mock presentations with friends or family to build your confidence.
✨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 are proactive and take the initiative to apply directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Footwear Designer / Footwear Designer - Ladieswear in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio:Make sure to include a strong portfolio that highlights your creative and trend-led designs. We want to see your best work, so pick pieces that showcase your understanding of footwear construction and materials.
Tailor Your Application:When applying, tailor your application to reflect the job description. Use keywords from the listing to demonstrate how your experience aligns with what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your written application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-organised submissions that are easy to read. Highlight your skills in trend forecasting and visual research without rambling on.
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’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at N Brown
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a strong portfolio that highlights your best ladies' footwear designs. Include a variety of styles and concepts that demonstrate your understanding of current trends and commercial viability. Be ready to discuss the thought process behind each piece!
✨Research the Brand
Before the interview, dive deep into the brand's identity and recent collections. Understand their target customer and how your design philosophy aligns with their direction. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their vision.
✨Prepare for Trend Discussions
Brush up on your trend forecasting skills! Be prepared to discuss emerging trends, colour palettes, and materials that excite you. Bring along some mood boards or visual research to illustrate your ideas and show how you can translate trends into commercial products.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll need to present design concepts, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Use mock interviews to refine your communication style, ensuring you can effectively convey your design rationale and engage with the interviewers.
