FREELANCE MENSWEAR DESIGNER & PRODUCT DEVELOPER
Location: Camden, London
Working pattern: 3–4 days per week, predominantly office-based
Contract: Initial 8–12 weeks, with potential extension
Start date: Immediate
Day rate: £200 - 250, depending on experience
ABOUT OLYMPIA INTERNATIONAL
Olympia International is a fast-growing international apparel business supplying major off-price retailers, department stores and wholesale customers across the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East. Our London office works closely with our design, product development, merchandising and production teams in Bangladesh and across Asia.
THE ROLE
We are looking for an immediately available, hands-on Freelance Menswear Designer & Product Developer to support our London office during a period of team transition.
The successful candidate will receive a detailed handover from an existing team member and take control of live technical packs, sample comments and the wider product-development pipeline. They will work closely with our Bangladesh office to ensure product changes are understood, communicated accurately and completed on time.
This is a product-focused position rather than a pricing or sales-target role. However, it is customer-facing: the successful candidate will attend buyer meetings, understand product feedback and convert comments into clear and actionable instructions for our overseas teams.
The position would suit an experienced supplier-side menswear designer or product developer who is comfortable moving between technical packs, samples, customer meetings, critical paths and practical office support.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Receive and document a detailed handover covering all live products, samples, customers, brands and outstanding actions
• Quickly develop a clear understanding of the complete menswear product pipeline
• Create, review, update and maintain accurate technical packs
• Interpret buyer, internal and factory comments and convert them into clear product-development actions
• Review samples for styling, fabric, colour, fit, construction, measurements, trims and overall commercial suitability
• Produce clear and accurate sample comments for the Bangladesh team and external suppliers
• Track first samples, revised samples, sales samples and customer approvals
• Maintain visibility of outstanding developments, deadlines and required decisions
• Coordinate closely with design, merchandising and product-development colleagues in Bangladesh
• Ensure the correct information, artwork, measurements and comments are included in technical packs
• Attend customer and buyer meetings and record relevant product feedback
• Prepare samples, rails, presentations and product selections for meetings
• Help ensure that meeting comments and actions are communicated promptly
• Support the organisation of the London showroom, sample collection and product files
• Maintain accurate digital folders, development records and sample information
• Follow up teams and suppliers to keep product developments moving
• Highlight delays, inconsistencies or missing information before deadlines are affected
• Provide broad, practical product and office support during the transition period
• Help organise information and processes for the permanent team joining the business
• Support the onboarding and handover of responsibilities to new permanent employees
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
• Strong professional experience in menswear design, product development or a combined design and product role
• Experience working for a fashion supplier, manufacturer, wholesaler, importer or commercial apparel brand
• Strong technical-pack knowledge and the ability to work accurately with product specifications
• Good understanding of garment construction, fabrics, measurements, trims and fit
• Experience reviewing samples and preparing clear product comments
• Experience communicating with factories, suppliers or product teams in Asia
• Ability to understand buyer feedback and translate it into accurate development instructions
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple live developments
• Confidence attending customer-facing meetings and representing the business professionally
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel and relevant design software
• Ability to work independently and take ownership with limited supervision
• Immediate or near-immediate availability
• Ability to work from our Camden office three to four days per week
• Willingness and ability to travel within Europe and Asia, including Bangladesh and China, when required
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE
• Experience developing commercial menswear for wholesale, off-price or major retail customers
• Experience across jersey, knitwear, outerwear, shirting and woven products
• Previous supplier-side experience working with international buyers
• Experience maintaining a product-development critical path
• Experience coordinating product developments across different countries and time zones
• Experience supporting range presentations, buyer appointments or trade shows
THE PERSON
You will be practical, organised and comfortable taking ownership of an established product pipeline. You must be able to understand detailed information quickly, identify what is outstanding and ensure that product comments are communicated clearly and followed through.
We are not looking for a purely conceptual or graphics-focused designer. The successful candidate must enjoy the technical and operational side of menswear development and be willing to support the wider office wherever required.
This is an urgent appointment. Applicants should clearly state their availability, preferred working days and expected day rate when applying.
Contact Details:
OLYMPIA INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Recruitment Team
