At a Glance
- Tasks: Design playful and trendy childrenswear home textiles that inspire creativity.
- Company: Join NEXT, a leading brand known for innovative and stylish products.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced team atmosphere with exciting seasonal projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's spaces with your unique design vision.
- Qualifications: Experience in childrenswear design and strong CAD skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days a week onsite with core flexible hours between 8am to 6pm.
The Role: As a Designer for Childrenswear Home Textiles, you’ll be the creative force behind one of our most imaginative and fast-growing product categories. Your mission is to blend playful, trend-led design with commercial excellence, evolving everything from cozy bedding and soft furnishings to fun, functional bedroom accessories. You’ll make a tangible impact on the range alongside a collaborative team of Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists. Whether your expertise lies in beautiful print and pattern, tactile fabrications, or innovative interactive details, you will elevate our product offering. Our Designers here at NEXT are always looking forward—searching for that next big thing, focusing on trend, and pushing the boundaries of what we can offer our fantastic customer base. You will create new and innovative designs that define the modern, playful bedroom.
What You’ll Take On:
- Spot the Next Big Thing: Continuously research and identify emerging global trends, translating your findings into clear, commercially viable design messages for the Next Kids Home customer.
- Bring Ideas to Life: Create highly tasteful, compelling, and innovative product designs, beautiful print/pattern artwork, and detailed CAD work that resonate with our broad and loyal customer base.
- Collaborate and Influence: Present and pitch your design concepts confidently, working closely with your immediate team and management to sell your ideas and align on vision.
- Drive Seasonal Success: Manage your workflow from initial research through to final design, repeating this creative cycle each season to keep our product offering fresh and ahead of the curve.
What You’ll Bring:
- A Passion for Product: A deep understanding of childrenswear or home textiles design and construction, with a strong background in print, pattern, and soft furnishings.
- Commercial Awareness: The ability to look at must-have interior trends and understand how to translate them into volume-selling, wearable, and safe products for the high street.
- Technical Proficiency: Excellent CAD skills (using Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop) to produce clear, detailed artwork, repeat patterns, and specification sheets for factory manufacturing.
- Strong Organisation & Pace: Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, with the organisational skills to manage multiple seasonal deadlines at once.
- Collaboration & Communication: A positive, team-focused attitude with the confidence to pitch your design ideas clearly to buyers and build strong relationships with international suppliers.
Portfolios: To help us get a feel for your style, please attach a digital portfolio to your application. We are looking for work that demonstrates a sharp eye for the future of Menswear, how your ideas can be commercially viable for NEXT, and showcases your direct design and CAD work. Applications without a portfolio will not be considered.
Sponsorship: Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
Designer - Childrenswear in Leicester employer: Next Careers
At Victoria’s Secret, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and passion for customer service thrive. Our Sales Associates enjoy flexible shifts, comprehensive training, and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment, all while being part of a globally recognised brand that values creativity and innovation. Located in Exeter, our store provides a unique chance to engage with customers in a dynamic setting, making every day rewarding and enjoyable.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Designer - Childrenswear in Leicester
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like Next Careers!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including Next Careers.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for Next Careers.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at Next Careers!
We think you need these skills to ace Designer - Childrenswear in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at Next Careers.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to Next Careers!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at Next Careers. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Careers
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
