Group Underwear Designer

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

At Crew Clothing, we believe clothes are about so much more than “just clothes”. Designed with the spirit of the south coast in every stitch, our crossed oars are a mark of timeless British style. These are clothes for life’s best moments.
We believe in collaboration, kindness and creativity, in celebrating our successes and championing our customer at every step of the way. From ’93 to now, people have been at the heart of everything we do. It’s in our name – Crew.

Purpose of the role

As the underwear & loungewear designer, you will design and develop all product work abroad and packaging for the Crew Clothing, Ben Sherman and Pringle of Scotland ranges. You will work closely with the Design Directors and designated buyers to research, create and develop the seasonal ranges in keeping with the DNA of the brand. You will work with the buying and technical teams to develop product that fits within the brands pricing architecture balancing commerciality with creativity and newness. At times you will need to collaborate closely with other departments to communicate the detail of your designs and product expertise. This is a creative yet commercial role, needing the ability to balance delivering progressive ideas from your research and the brand’s DNA to produce product suitable for our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work as a team with the Brand directors, designers, buyer & technical team to produce a range that reflects the brand’s DNA with a modern, contemporary execution.
• Undertake trend research and highlight emerging trends and opportunities for the brand. Conducting regular comp shops of competitors and aspirational brands. Sharing conclusions with the team and identifying opportunities.
• Mapping out ideas against the range plan with the buyer and communicating these ideas at key meetings in a confident and enthusiastic manner. Maintaining a balance of commerciality and new seasonal ideas.
• Creating CADs for all options in the range. Being able to self-edit and make decisions of the styles & details prior to key contact points with the head of design. Exploration of colour at early & mid points of the design process. Designing structures & patterns each season that are unique to the brand.
• Developing and managing all packaging and labelling with the development teams.
• Maintain and update all design overviews, CADs and make sheets throughout the design process.
• Action seasonal proto & fabric developments with the buyers & technical team, handing over packs face to face.
• Following development of samples through with the buying & tech team to approve fabrics, colours & proto fits from SMS samples through to bulk production.
• Working autonomously day to day and planning workload throughout the season to meet key deadlines. Planning key reviews and contact points.
• Building strong relationships with the category buyer and develop an understanding of suppliers capabilities, costs and limitations.
• Presenting the range to the senior management team & sales teams where required.
• In depth knowledge of best sellers & international market requirements to make informed decisions about the balance of the category options.
• Understanding and driving forward the sustainability of the range through, being informed on upcoming yarn developments & techniques.
• Assisting the Brand Director where required.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of underwear, socks and loungewear product, stitches, yarns, textures, branding & limitations of the product.
• Collaborative approach to working in a product team.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to design to price points.
• Creative flair and imagination.
• Able to create original print/pattern artworks.
• Engaging and work well with a range of teams across the business.
• Occasional travel to London & overseas when required.
• High level of knowledge of Illustrator & Photoshop.