At a Glance
- Tasks: Design trendy boys' garments and collaborate with a dynamic team to bring ideas to life.
- Company: Join NEXT, a forward-thinking brand focused on stylish and affordable boyswear.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, creative workspace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Submit a digital portfolio showcasing your design skills to stand out.
- Why this job: Shape the future of boys' fashion while working in a vibrant, innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in apparel design, creativity, and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.
The Role
Are you a creative and forward-thinking garment designer with a passion for turning the latest trends into cool, wearable, and commercial clothes for boys? If so, keep reading as this could be the perfect opportunity for you… As a Boyswear Garment Designer for The Set, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and range direction for one of NEXT’s most exciting own brands. The Set delivers effortless, stylish, timeless, and affordable pieces designed to mix and match seamlessly. We believe great design should be accessible to everyone, and your garment concepts will be central to that mission. Based at our creative hub, The Barn in Market Harborough, you will join an ambitious, fast-moving team with huge growth plans. You’ll work closely with Buying, Merch and Product Tech teams to bring outstanding garment designs to life, balancing high end creative flair with sharp commercial awareness.
What You’ll Take On
- Design and Innovate: Create and develop inspiring, forward thinking boyswear garment collections that align perfectly with The Set’s clean handwriting, fit standards, and overall brand direction.
- Trend Research: Actively research global youth fashion, street style, runway, and social trends to identify emerging silhouettes, key details, fabrics, and trim directions for boyswear.
- Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with Buying, Merch and Product Tech teams to translate seasonal product directions into cohesive, commercially viable ranges.
- CAD Creation & Tech Packs: Produce high quality, production ready flat CAD drawings, detailed tech packs, and clear factory specs using digital design tools.
- Sample Development & Fitting: Attend fit sessions and liaise with suppliers and buying teams to oversee prototype samples, ensuring design intent, fit, construction, and quality standards are met within strict deadlines.
- Present Concepts: Help build trend forecasting boards and present design ranges confidently during internal strategy and review meetings.
- Drive Growth: Constantly seek out new opportunities to elevate the boyswear offering, maintaining a strong balance between high level vision and technical design execution.
What You’ll Bring
- Creative Flair: A strong passion for menswear or kids fashion, with a keen eye for modern silhouettes, garment construction, trims, and detailing.
- Versatile Experience: Proven experience in apparel design. While a background in boyswear or menswear is ideal, we also encourage applications from designers with experience in womenswear or unisex apparel who can demonstrate a strong aesthetic transition to contemporary boyswear.
- Technical Proficiency: Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop) for creating accurate flat CADs, technical sketches, and specs.
- Organisation & Agility: The ability to manage a high volume workload, balance multiple deadlines simultaneously, and adapt quickly in a fast paced environment.
- Collaborative Mindset: Excellent communication skills, a positive team spirit, and the confidence to pitch ideas, take feedback, and iterate quickly.
- Commercial Sharpness: A solid understanding of the NEXT customer, price architecture, and the competitive retail landscape.
- Education: Ideally degree level educated in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related discipline.
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 print, 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. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
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.
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. If your previous experience is rooted in other software suites, don’t worry! We’ll point you to a digital Google toolkit the moment you join, packed with handy guides and insider tips to help you transition smoothly and hit the ground running.
Boyswear Garment Designer - The Set in Market Harborough 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 Boyswear Garment Designer - The Set in Market Harborough
✨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 Boyswear Garment Designer - The Set in Market Harborough
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!
