At a Glance
- Tasks: Design stylish menswear collections, blending modern trends with commercial viability.
- Company: Join NEXT Sourcing, a global leader in fashion innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative environment, and opportunities for travel and development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and a focus on sustainability.
- Why this job: Be the creative force behind contemporary menswear and make your mark in fashion.
- Qualifications: Experience in menswear tailoring and mastery of design software like Adobe Illustrator.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
The Role
Next Sourcing is seeking a sharp, commercially minded Menswear Tailoring Designer to join our in house global design hub. As our Tailoring Specialist, you will be the creative driver behind the suits, blazers, formal trousers, and smart separates that define our menswear collections. You will blend modern tailoring trends, elevated fabrications, and precise technical construction to create suits and formalwear that strike the perfect balance between contemporary style and commercial viability.
What You’ll Take On
- Design Elevated Menswear Tailoring: Create compelling, market leading collections across soft tailored blazers, structured suits, formal trousers, coats, and smart-casual separates.
- Translate Global Tailoring Trends: Continually research international runway collections, contemporary tailoring movements, and global street style, adapting high level formalwear trends into commercial "must-have" ranges for the NEXT customer.
- Inspirational & Development Travel: Embark on seasonal trend research trips to global fashion capitals, while also visiting international mills, suppliers, and tailored garment factories to oversee sample development, fit sessions, and fabric sourcing.
- Master Fabrications & Construction: Design intelligently with a deep knowledge of tailored garment construction, canvas types, shoulder pads, linings, and high performance fabric blends to deliver a premium fit and finish at a competitive price point.
- Drive Rapid Design Cycles: Respond quickly to fast turnaround briefs with precision, delivering detailed, accurate CADs and clear range plans without compromising on design aesthetics or quality.
- Partner with Global Teams: Collaborate daily with Sourcing Specialists, Garment Technologists, Buyers, and Pattern Cutters to ensure designs align seamlessly with production capabilities, target margins, and overall range plans.
- Ensure Tech-Pack Accuracy: Produce precise, fully detailed technical specification packs and CAD layouts for international factories to guarantee exact execution in production.
What You’ll Bring
- Menswear or Womenswear Tailoring Expertise: A strong design background focused specifically on commercial menswear or womenswear formalwear and tailoring, demonstrating exceptional attention to silhouette, proportion, cut, and detail.
- Design Software Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create realistic CAD renders, detailed construction callouts, and clean technical packs daily.
- Technical & Fabric Knowledge: A solid understanding of tailored garment construction, pattern-making principles, lining details, and how different suiting fabrics (wool blends, linens, performance textiles) behave during wear and pressing.
- Industry Background: Experience working within a high-volume retailer, established tailoring brand, or major global supplier, bringing a clear understanding of retail calendars, lead times, and commercial scale.
- Team-First Mentality: Strong interpersonal skills and a highly collaborative approach, with the confidence to present seasonal ranges and pitch concepts to Buyers, Product Managers, and overseas manufacturing partners.
- Resilience in Busy Moments: Excellent organisation skills to manage multiple seasonal drops, sample reviews, and fast-track capsules simultaneously while maintaining high standards of detail under tight deadlines.
- Proactive Curiosity: A genuine passion for contemporary formalwear, modern sartorial trends, and garment technology, always exploring new sustainable fabrications and innovative construction methods.
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 Tailoring, 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.
At NEXT, we believe the best work happens when there are no barriers to collaboration. That’s why we are a Google-powered workspace. From your very first day, you’ll be using the full Google Workspace suite; Docs, Drive, and Meet, to stay connected and move fast.
Menswear Tailoring Designer - Next Sourcing 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 Menswear Tailoring Designer - Next Sourcing 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 Menswear Tailoring Designer - Next Sourcing 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!
