Menswear Assistant Designer

ABOUT THE ROLE

...Are you passionate about a career in Fashion Design?
...Do you want to work for a premium fashion brand?
If so, read on!
We are seeking highly motivated and detail-oriented Entry-Level Fashion Designers to join our design team at a premium fashion brand.
You will demonstrate a strong aesthetic sensibility, a proactive mindset, and a deep passion for elevated design. You should be hungry to learn, full of creative energy, and eager to contribute to a team that values refinement, innovation, and craftsmanship.
You will be a designer with an innate sense of taste, a refined eye for detail, and a strong desire to grow within a premium brand environment. You bring energy, ambition, and originality to everything you do, with a clear passion for design excellence and modern luxury. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

• Contract type - Permanent
• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The expectation is for three in-person days per week, which can include your time spent on store visits and meeting brands / suppliers. Core office days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 
• Location - This role is based at our Pimlico Head Office, London. 
• (FYI) Next Steps - The application process requires you to upload recent portfolio / examples of your work as well as your CV and application answers. An initial shortlist will be invited to a virtual portfolio review which will be held on 6th November 2026. A final shortlist will then be invited to attend a formal interview where you will be required to present a small project that will be provided to you in advance.  INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AT OUR HEAD OFFICE IN PIMLICO W/C 16th November 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Support the design team in the development of seasonal collections that align with our premium brand identity.
• Conduct trend research, fabric sourcing, and concept development with a sophisticated point of view.
• Prepare mood boards, sketches, and technical packages for internal and external communication.
• Utilize 3D design software (CLO3D) to create high-quality digital prototypes and visualize garment construction with precision and finesse.
• Collaborate closely with pattern makers, technical developers, and production teams to ensure flawless execution of designs.
• Demonstrate that you are happy to present and share ideas back to the team.
• Participate in fittings, revisions, and sampling to maintain the highest level of product integrity.
• Stay informed on emerging trends, luxury materials, and innovative design techniques relevant to the premium fashion space.
  

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Proficient in AI or CLO3D garment design software.
• Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop).
• Excellent understanding of premium brand aesthetics, fabrications, and finishing details.
• Highly proactive, self-motivated, and detail-driven.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, and creatively demanding environment.
• Keen eye for design trends and the ability to translate them into commercially viable designs 

Desirable skills/experience you may have 

• Degree in Fashion Design or a closely related field 
• Portfolio demonstrating design skills
• Experience of working in Retail

For internal use only:

#LI-HEADOFFICE

#LI-RZ1

#LI-HYBRID

Closing Date:

October 26, 2026

Pay:

£28,000.00 - £39,000.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

N/A

Job Level:

Partnership Level 9

Where You'll Be Working:

London Central Office, 1 Drummond Gate, London, , SW1V 2QQ

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. ​ 

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.