Design Administration Assistant

Design Administration Assistant

Entry level 25000 - 32000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support design and product development across exciting fashion brands.
  • Company: Join Renfold Brands, a dynamic player in the fashion industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and private health insurance.
  • Other info: Build relationships with suppliers and collaborate in a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your fashion career with hands-on experience and creative involvement.
  • Qualifications: BA in Fashion Design or related field; strong Adobe skills required.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 32000 £ per year.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Design Administration Assistant to join the Projects team at Renfold Brands. Working across a portfolio of brands including Chelsea Peers, Urban Threads, Sugardust and Brooklyn Supply Co., you will support the design and product development process across a broad range of fashion and lifestyle categories. This is an ideal first step into the industry for a highly organised, creative individual looking to build a career in fashion design and product development. You will gain exposure to the full product lifecycle, working closely with Design, Buying, Commercial and global suppliers in a fast‑paced and collaborative environment. The role spans multiple categories including nightwear, daywear, accessories and lifestyle products across menswear, womenswear and childrenswear. Whilst the role has a strong administrative foundation, it also offers hands‑on involvement in design development, trend research and product creation.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design & Product Development
    • Produce and maintain technical design files, specifications and artwork to required standards
    • Support the development of seasonal collections from initial concept through to production
    • Create and update CADs, colourways and design developments across multiple product categories
    • Assist in the preparation of design packs and product specifications for suppliers
    • Conduct ongoing trend, competitor and market research, identifying relevant opportunities across fashion and lifestyle sectors
    • Support the creation of trend boards, colour palettes and seasonal presentations
    • Assist with print recolouring, artwork updates and design amendments as required
    • Support the review of samples, approvals and fit comments alongside the wider product team
  • Administration & Coordination
    • Maintain organised sample, fabric and trim libraries, ensuring accurate tracking and accessibility across the team
    • Manage sample tracking systems and internal spreadsheets, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date
    • Coordinate sample dispatches to suppliers and customers, ensuring timely delivery and tracking
    • Prepare materials and product information for internal and external meetings
    • Follow critical paths and key dates, ensuring deadlines are achieved across all stages of development
    • Collaborate closely with the Product teams to ensure comments and approvals are completed within agreed timelines
    • Support the wider Design and Product teams with general administration and project coordination
  • Supplier Communication
    • Build strong working relationships with suppliers and factories through regular communication
    • Assist in managing the flow of information between internal teams and external suppliers
    • Support the product development process by ensuring supplier submissions, approvals and sample requests are managed efficiently

Skills & Experience Required

  • BA Degree in Fashion Design, Fashion Textiles or a related discipline
  • Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
  • Creative with a strong eye for colour, shape, trend and product
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • Passion for fashion, product development and emerging trends
  • Proactive and self‑motivated with a willingness to learn and develop
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across teams and suppliers
  • Positive, can‑do attitude with the confidence to use initiative and solve problems
  • Experience creating CADs and technical design files would be advantageous
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel

Benefits

  • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
  • Flexi-hours
  • Hybrid working – 3 days in the office after successfully passing probation (5 days in the office during probation)
  • Staff discount
  • Private health insurance
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Location

Stamford Brook, Chiswick, London

Portfolio Requirement

As part of the application process, please submit examples of your work or provide a link to your portfolio alongside your CV. Unfortunately, applications submitted without a portfolio will not be considered.

Design Administration Assistant employer: Renfold Brands

Renfold Brands is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for aspiring fashion professionals. With a strong focus on employee growth, the Design Administration Assistant role offers hands-on experience in product development across a diverse portfolio of brands, alongside benefits such as flexible working hours, private health insurance, and generous holiday allowances. Located in the vibrant area of Chiswick, London, employees enjoy a supportive environment that encourages creativity and innovation while building meaningful careers in the fashion industry.

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Contact Details:

Renfold Brands Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Design Administration Assistant

Tap into Fashion-Specific Platforms

When you're hunting for that entry-level role in fashion, check out platforms like Fashion Jobs or Not Just a Label. These sites focus on the fashion industry and can help you get your foot in the door with relevant listings that might not be on mainstream job boards.

Show Off Your Style on Social Media

Utilise Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your eye for fashion. Create a portfolio of your style or even designs if you’re feeling creative. This not only builds your personal brand but also gets you noticed by potential employers who are always on the lookout for fresh talent.

Join Fashion Networking Events

Get yourself along to local fashion events, pop-up shops or trade shows. Networking is key in fashion, so chat with industry professionals, and don't be shy to hand out your contact details. You never know who might put in a good word for you when an entry-level role opens up.

Apply Directly to Renfold Brands

Don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page at Renfold Brands for any entry-level openings. Applying directly through their website can often put you ahead of the competition, especially if they’re looking to fill roles quickly. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team!

We think you need these skills to ace Design Administration Assistant

Technical Design Files Production
Specification Development
Artwork Creation
CAD Creation
Trend Research
Market Analysis
Sample Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Style:When you're applying for a job in fashion-apparel, it's crucial to let your personal style shine through in your application. Incorporate design elements or a unique layout in your CV that reflects your understanding of current trends and your creative flair. This helps us see how you think about aesthetics from the get-go!

Highlight Relevant Education & Experience:If you’ve taken any fashion courses or have experience in retail, make sure that's front and centre on your CV! Whether it's a part-time job at a clothing store or a fashion-related project you worked on at university, we want to see how your background aligns with our fashion-forward ethos at Renfold Brands.

Passion Over Experience:Since this is an entry-level position, we understand you might not have loads of experience. So, in your cover letter, focus on your passion for fashion! Share why you're excited about working with us at Renfold Brands, and connect it to your motivation for wanting to enter this vibrant industry.

Include a Portfolio, Even If Small:If you have any sketches, designs, or mood boards, don’t hesitate to share them! Even a small portfolio links creativity to your application and can set you apart. If you don't have any portfolio pieces yet, consider including links to your favourite fashion blogs or Instagram accounts that inspire you — we love seeing what gets you excited about fashion!

How to prepare for a job interview at Renfold Brands

Show Off Your Passion for Fashion

Let’s be real; the fashion world is super competitive. So, we need to showcase our passion! Bring a portfolio of our best styling looks, whether it’s a mood board, personal projects, or even student work. It’s our chance to show Renfold Brands that we live and breathe fashion!

Stay Trendy and Informed

Before the interview, we should catch up on current trends, famous designers, and industry news. It might just be the perfect icebreaker or the punchline to a question! Plus, it shows Renfold Brands that we’re not just here for a job; we’re genuinely keen on what’s happening in the world of fashion.

Demonstrate Your Creativity

Since we're stepping into an entry-level role, we should be prepared to discuss our creative process. Maybe sketch a design or outline how we’d style a specific piece if asked. Renfold Brands wants to see our imagination at work, so don’t be shy about expressing our unique ideas!

Know Your Fashion Terms

Let’s brush up on our fashion vocabulary! From ‘couture’ to ‘athleisure’, knowing the lingo can really help us in the interview. Renfold Brands might throw in some technical questions, so being fluent in fashion speak will show we’re ready to dive into the industry headfirst.