Designer For Hard Wovens - Maternity Cover

By adopting the values of Style & Truth across the whole business - from recruitment to product - we safeguard the long term health of the brand and we create more than just fashion.

DESCRIPTION

Founded in 1970, Jigsaw was the first premium fashion brand on the high street. Since then, the company has expanded worldwide to work with the finest mills, cutting edge photographers, up-and-coming models and renowned architects. But the search for the best in the industry never stops. As our journey continues, we're looking for passionate and talented people to learn about Style & Truth: a set of values that sets us apart from the rest of the high street, a belief that everyone should feel empowered to embrace their own style, be true to themselves, and not slavishly follow the fashion world. This means putting style before trends and truth before hype.

We are looking for a non-soft wovens designer to join our team in our Richmond Office (Maternity Cover).

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for a highly creative Womenswear Designer with a focus on Leather, denim and tailoring, who can think out of the box. You will have an elevated aesthetic and experience in the premium & luxury sector. You will be responsible for designing stunning woven garments in collaboration with the product development and technical teams; driving the creative process working closely with the design director.

You will be a key contributor in building an innovative, sustainably sourced, commercially balanced range, consistently introducing fresh ideas to the product assortment and delivering a collection that is true to the Jigsaw design aesthetic.

You will have a strong design identity, a high level of awareness of seasonal shows and knowledge of current and future trends, as well as a strong understanding of what customers want to see online and instore.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Work collaboratively with design, buying and pattern teams from concept to completion aligning on seasonal direction, trends, timelines and customer insights.
2. Research seasonal theme and inspiration, fabric and colour concepts in collaboration with the Design team via fabric fairs, shopping and visual research, galleries etc.
3. Developing design through sketching, draping on the stand and other creative mediums.
4. Produce clear illustrations and technical sketches, communicating details of which to the pattern room in order to develop accurate first prototypes and creating specs/tech packs for factories.
5. Work closely with Buying, Garment Tech teams and Atelier, managing the shape development and fittings process making sure the critical path is adhered to.
6. Participate in fittings with a high level of confidence, developing styles from sketch to sealing.
7. Work closely with the Buying team to ensure they are up to date on sketch development, passing correct tech packs and instructions for fabric and trim.
8. Maintaining contact with external suppliers, visiting when necessary, and ensuring they have all relevant design information to make samples.
9. Work on colour palettes and put lab dips into work in correct yarns and fabrics. Work on prints and trims for the collection.
10. Maintaining awareness of market information influencing consumers and knowing the company best seller products in order to filter into the design process.
11. Work with the broader design teams to ensure that there is a clear definition between the departments and that we offer true choice to the customer.
12. Work with merchandising on planning the range in line with buy plan.
13. Work with other members of the team to prepare line sheets for buy meetings with relevant information such as prices, lead times, minimum order quantity, surcharges etc.
14. Preparation for presenting collections to the Design Director and Merchandising teams at buy meetings and actioning any subsequent amendments.
15. Input into copy for online selling, ensuring the marketing teams have all the correct product information.
16. Check the Jigsaw website and flag any product information or description discrepancies.
17. Regular visits to Jigsaw stores and concessions to remain in touch with the shopping environment.
18. General day to day administrative duties, archiving collection work, maintaining samples, keeping design boards and working space tidy.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

We kindly ask you not to apply unless the following conditions are met:

1. Bachelor degree in Fashion design.
2. Minimum of 5 + years working with ideally experience within both luxury as well as high street.
3. In depth knowledge on working with Denim, Leather and Tailoring.
4. Confident in fabric selections for above categories.
5. Proficient in Adobe Suit.
6. Understanding of Jigsaw aesthetic.
7. Right to work in the U.K.

Please note this position does not offer an option of remote work.

BENEFITS

1. Pension
2. Holiday
3. Fantastic Staff discount schemes - up to 50% (and 70% on 5 items per season)
4. Sample sales
5. Access to Unum - Jigsaw's wellbeing and benefits provider, for a whole host of resources, support and discounts
6. Unum life assurance and Help@Hand support
7. EAP
8. Cycle to work scheme
9. Fruit in the office

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications are encouraged from individuals regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships or pregnancy and maternity.