Designer, Womens Casual Wovens / Denim

At River Island, we’re passionate about creating fashion that inspires confidence and helps our customers express their individuality. We’re looking for a talented Designer to join our Casual Wovens team and play a key role in shaping one of our most exciting product areas which covers denim separates, jeans, casual separates and casual outerwear. While the role offers exposure across the wider category, we’re particularly keen to hear from designers with experience in denim, as the successful candidate will have a strong focus on developing our denim and jeans offer. That said, we’re open to applicants from a variety of backgrounds who can demonstrate outstanding design skills, a commercial eye, and a passion for creating product that resonates with our customer. We’re ideally looking for a Junior Designer ready for their next challenge, but we’re open to considering candidates at all levels of experience if they’re the right fit for the team.

What we’re looking for:

• A naturally feminine design handwriting with a strong understanding of the River Island aesthetic and customer.
• Previous womenswear design experience, with denim experience highly desirable—though we’re keen to hear from exceptional designers from related product areas too.
• The ability to identify emerging trends and translate them into commercially successful product at pace.
• Confidence working in a fast‑paced environment, managing multiple projects and reacting quickly to changing priorities.
• The ability to think strategically, creating cohesive seasonal product stories with a clear point of view.
• Excellent CAD, illustration and presentation skills.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work cross‑functionally with buying, technical and sourcing teams.
• A proactive, positive attitude and a genuine passion for fashion.

What you’ll do:

• Design commercially successful collections across the Casual Wovens department, with a primary focus on denim and jeans.
• Research trends, fabrics, washes, colours and silhouettes to build compelling seasonal ranges.
• Develop clear seasonal direction and product strategies that support the wider business objectives.
• Create detailed CADs, technical packs and presentation boards.
• Work closely with buying and sourcing teams to ensure products are delivered to the highest standard, on time and in line with the critical path.
• Shop the market, analyse competitors and identify opportunities for growth and innovation.

Why River Island?

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, creative team where you’ll have real influence on product and the freedom to bring fresh ideas to the table. Whether you’re an ambitious Junior Designer ready for your next step or a more experienced designer looking for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you if you’re passionate about creating beautiful, feminine product that our customers will love.

What we can offer you:

• Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products and a bargain staff shop on site.
• Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
• A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill your needs.
• Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment.
• Flexible working, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
• Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications.
• A generous bonus scheme and private pension plan.
• 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays.

At River Island we are committed to the safeguarding of all of our employees regardless of age or job role. We promote and encourage the belief in British Values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. Our Island is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.