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- Tasks: Design original footwear concepts and collaborate with a creative team.
- Company: Varley, a contemporary fashion brand empowering modern women.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic team environment, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work closely with factories and develop innovative collections.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make your mark in the fashion industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in Footwear Design and 4+ years of relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Salary - Dependent On Experience
Start Date - Asap
Location - Chesterfield UK. No remote work option.
Who we are
Varley is a contemporary fashion brand for the modern woman. We offer year-round collections, including knitwear, outerwear, and everyday staples, complemented by a comprehensive active collection, to create an elevated wardrobe for how you live and move. We are defined by the women who wear Varley and exist to instil quiet confidence through collections that enhance everything they already are. As women’s lives evolve, so do we.
Who we want
An experienced and passionate Footwear Designer to join our thriving team. Attention to detail is essential as we obsess about every style in our collections. You must be able to follow direction while bringing your own creativity and ideas to the product and team. You must have demonstrable, relevant experience of designing and developing contemporary footwear to a high level.
The role
- Work with the footwear category Senior Designer (line manager) and Creative Design Director to design original footwear concepts as part of a cohesive Varley collection, with a strong focus on contemporary silhouettes, original soles, unique detailing and boldly refined use of colour, texture and materials.
- Working closely with footwear factories and component suppliers to source and develop seasonal collections.
- Creation of Design Packs and other materials to aid in smooth handover to factories and the Development Team.
- Work closely with the development/production team to ensure the concepts run smoothly into reality.
- Maintaining an organised archive of footwear samples, leather cards, and material swatches, ensuring materials are accessible and up to date.
- Conduct fit testing to ensure smooth handover of collections for production.
- Keep internal presentation decks, range overviews and other relevant documents up-to-date.
- Work with Graphic Design to prepare detailed product knowledge documents to equip the wider business.
- Presenting a detailed handover of collections to the wholesale teams, jointly with the Senior Designer.
- Attend trade shows and other valuable off-site visits as required.
This list is not exhaustive and there will be other tasks and responsibilities required.
What you’ll need
Essential:
- Degree in Footwear Design or equivalent experience.
- Experience in Footwear Design role (4+ years)
- Advanced Adobe Illustrator skills.
- Footwear factory experience, a strong technical and practical knowledge that allows you to deliver accurate concepts through to samples.
- A curious thinker who is comfortable experimenting and pushing boundaries, whilst respecting the brand’s ethos and values.
- Technical Footwear Fit & Construction knowledge.
- A knowledge of and ability to prepare technical sole drawings and specs.
- Knowledge of Leather and shoemaking with the ability to apply them in line with the Brand’s aesthetic.
- A passion for footwear and materials, with a keen eye for considered details, we use trim to elevate our products, so you must be knowledgeable in this area.
- Strong Presentation and communication skills.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage several projects in tandem.
- The drive to work for a market leader and the adaptability to cope with the needs of a growing brand.
Advantageous:
- In-House Fashion Brand experience
- Footwear 3D Familiarity (Blender, Gravity Sketch, Rhino)
- Experience in Sneaker specific design and conceptualization.
- Fluent Portuguese
We are fully committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusion and authenticity. We are proud to support the diversity and uniqueness of our employees. You will be joining a strong and communicative in-house team who work closely together on the design and development of our collections. Freelance applications are not appropriate for this role and will not be considered.
Footwear Designer (Mid level) in London employer: Varley
Contact Detail:
Varley Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Footwear Designer (Mid level) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with fellow designers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring it along and be ready to discuss your design process and inspirations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Varley and their collections. Understand their aesthetic and values so you can align your ideas with what they’re looking for. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Varley team and are keen to be part of our creative journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Footwear Designer (Mid level) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for footwear design shine through! Share what inspires you and how your creativity aligns with Varley's ethos. We want to see your personality and passion for the craft!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for this role. Highlight your relevant experience in footwear design, especially any projects that showcase your attention to detail and innovative thinking. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for Varley. Be sure to mention your experience with contemporary silhouettes and unique detailing. We love seeing candidates who can articulate their vision and ideas clearly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Varley!
How to prepare for a job interview at Varley
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your footwear design knowledge, especially contemporary silhouettes and materials. Familiarise yourself with Varley's collections and ethos so you can speak confidently about how your designs align with their brand.
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best work, focusing on original concepts and unique detailing. Be ready to discuss your design process and how you’ve pushed boundaries in previous projects while respecting brand values.
✨Be Organised
Since the role requires managing multiple projects, demonstrate your organisational skills during the interview. Bring examples of how you've maintained archives or managed design packs in past roles to show you can keep things running smoothly.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong presentation skills are key for this position. Practice explaining your design ideas clearly and concisely, as well as how you would collaborate with teams like development and graphic design. This will show you can effectively communicate within a team.