At a Glance
- Tasks: Design trendy blouses and collaborate with teams to create stylish collections.
- Company: Join New Look, a feel-good fashion brand with over 55 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40% staff discount, healthcare options, and extra leave on your birthday.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fashion while having fun.
- Qualifications: Experience in design, strong trend knowledge, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re the feel-good fashion brand making style accessible and fun for over 55 years, on our website, mobile app and over 300 stores in the UK. By living our values - we play to win, customer obsessed, we are one and it starts with me - we deliver That New Look Feeling for our customers and each other.
THE ROLE: Here at New Look, Design is where it all starts, we live and breathe all things fashion. We are looking for a passionate and driven Designer to join us and be an integral part of our team! With a finger on the pulse for the latest trends at all times, this individual will drive new ideas, and push trends that are new and relevant for the New Look customer. Working closely with buying, merch and suppliers to build a cohesive Blouses range that we can be proud of. No two days are the same and we thrive in a fast‑paced environment. We love having a laugh while we do it and look out for each other. This is a 4 month Maternity cover role based in our London office 4 days a week.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:
- Clearly identify department key items at the start of the season and ensure they are delivered in line with New Look customer profiles.
- Identify key item blocks for the season in line with Brand strategy and take full ownership of them.
- Driving forward the Design team, with support of the Head of Design, and be a vocal voice in strategic opportunities.
- Driving new trends commercially through product ranges with the New Look brand handwriting and customer at front of mind.
- Strategically manages the critical path from design concept through to final buying samples reacting to market changes and challenges.
- Creating mood boards, trend presentations and catwalk reports giving clear and concise trend messages to Buying teams.
- Sourcing new fabrications overseas inspired from trend research and to share new ideas on fabrics with the wider Design team where relevant.
- Working in synergy with Buying to build a strong fashion yet commercial range, sharing ideas and information with other product areas to ensure brand / product consistency.
- Good influencing skills and self-belief, to ensure that newness is delivered into the range, at the correct grading in collaboration with Buying.
- In-depth trend knowledge, being able to identify emerging trends and influence the business at critical points.
- Identifying new sourcing opportunities and providing focused, clear development direction to current supplier base.
- Developing the right product at the right time, in line with the departmental design strategy to meet customer requirements.
- Monitoring, maintaining, and actioning in-depth competitor analysis, and presenting ideas and new product opportunities to gain competitor advantage.
- Sharing information where relevant on product, suppliers, best / worst sellers within business area and across the wider business.
- Communicating effectively with all internal and external teams.
- Working with QA to complete fit sessions in order to develop block and fit that reflects design direction and customer trends.
- An excellent understanding of the New Look Customer.
- Strong understanding of our Customer Insight and Market Share.
- Actively contributing in trend and competitor analysis, making recommendations for changes or developments.
- Ongoing familiarity of the competition’s product range.
- Challenging current ways of working and practices across departments and functions, coming up with new initiatives to benefit the whole Business and implementing these.
- Managing and developing the Team, displaying strong leadership skills to enable achievement of New Look’s strategy.
- Driving the BMD vision into clear goals and objectives for your direct reports and their teams.
WHO YOU ARE:
- Previous experience as a Designer within a major retailer / department within New Look / established supplier.
- PC / Mac literate - Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel, Word, Adobe Suite.
- Excellent spec skills using a mix of hand sketching, illustrator and Photoshop.
- Able to present work in an exciting format to Heads Of and / or Directors, influencing buying decisions.
- Management of workload according to the critical path.
- An in-depth knowledge of the current competitive and inspirational market place.
- Excellent interpersonal / communication skills.
- Superb understanding of the department, and the ability to predict trend / key items with full conviction at the start of the season.
- Ability to line manage, motivate and develop the team.
- Ability to initiate, build and maintain strong relationships with Buying/Merchandising /QA.
- Ability to contribute to the bigger picture and Design department as a whole.
- Good organisational skills.
- Predicting and delivering of department key items for the season.
- Speed and proficiency of Design work.
- Identification and interpretation key trends in line with customer profiles.
- Achieves sales and strategy plan.
WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:
- 40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year.
- Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers.
- Profit related bonus scheme.
- Option to join our Healthcare Private Medical Scheme.
- Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you.
- All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one.
- Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.
- Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave (eligible after 2 years service).
- Spread the cost of your commute with interest‑free season ticket loans.
- Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme.
- We’re proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust.
Why New Look? We care about you and the planet and believe fashion should be a force for positive change. We celebrate inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We’re proud of our inclusive culture and our talented team members who embrace our shared purpose, behaviours and values. We prioritise development, offering training to support your progression, so you can be your absolute best and achieve your goals.
Designer (Blouses) 4 month contract employer: New Look
At New Look, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive fashion brand that values creativity and collaboration. Our London office fosters a dynamic work culture where employees are encouraged to express their ideas and drive trends, all while enjoying generous benefits like a 40% staff discount, private healthcare options, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us for a rewarding experience where your passion for fashion can truly shine in a supportive environment that celebrates diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designer (Blouses) 4 month contract
✨Get in with Local Boutiques
Fashion isn't just about the big names; local boutiques are often on the lookout for temporary staff, especially during busy seasons. Pop in with your CV and a smile, chat with the staff, and show genuine interest – it can lead to an on-the-spot opportunity or, at the very least, a good contact!
✨Leverage Fashion Events
Fashion shows and local events are goldmines for networking. Attend as many as you can! Strike up conversations with fellow attendees, designers, or even models – you never know who might have a lead on temporary roles that aren't advertised yet.
✨Utilise Social Media Like a Pro
Follow brands and influencers in the fashion-apparel industry on social media. Engage with their content and stay updated on their hiring announcements. Many companies post about temporary positions on their Instagram or Twitter, so keep your eyes peeled!
✨Check Out Our Site for Temp Roles
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website for temp roles at companies like New Look. We regularly update our listings, and your best shot at landing something is to jump on it as soon as it drops – so keep checking!
We think you need these skills to ace Designer (Blouses) 4 month contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Style:In the fashion-apparel world, creativity and personal style are key! Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique take on fashion—add a touch of personality, maybe even a mood board if you’re feeling adventurous. This is your chance to show how you’d fit into New Look's vibe!
Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, experience is everything. If you've worked in retail, styling, or even as a personal shopper, make sure to highlight that in your application. We want to see how your past experiences can benefit New Look during this short-term stint!
Include a Portfolio of Your Work:If you’ve got a portfolio—whether that's photos of your styling or designs—attach it! We love to see what you're capable of. It’s a great way to stand out, especially in temporary roles where you might need to make a quick impact at New Look.
Emphasise Your Adaptability:Temporary roles often require juggling different tasks and adapting to changing needs. In your application, mention instances where you’ve showcased flexibility and quick learning. Showing that you’re ready to jump right in will surely catch our eye at New Look.
How to prepare for a job interview at New Look
✨Show Off Your Style
In the fashion-apparel world, your personal style can speak volumes. Make sure to express your fashion sense in your outfit and show off any unique pieces that represent your style while keeping it professional. This gives the interviewers a glimpse of your creativity and flair.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
For a temporary role, it'll be essential to demonstrate your skills quickly. Have a well-curated portfolio that showcases your previous work, whether it's designs, styling, or merchandising. Be prepared to talk through your thought process and the impact your work has had in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Trend Talk
Expect questions about current fashion trends and how they relate to the brand New Look. Being able to discuss recent runway looks, sustainable practices, or trending colours will show your knowledge of the industry and that you’re up-to-date with what's happening in fashion.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
In a temporary position, demonstrating that you can hit the ground running is key. Share experiences from previous roles where you've quickly adapted to new trends or tackled fast-paced environments. Your ability to be flexible shows that you're ready to contribute from day one!
