Knitwear Design Assistant

Working at Stella McCartney is a truly rewarding experience. As a luxury fashion company with a strong ethical standpoint we are leaders and innovators in our industry. Location: London HQ Working Style: Office Based Overview: Reporting into the Senior Designer , the Knitwear Design Assistant will be responsible for assisting the development of knitwear collections across 4 seasons , from initial concept to final product. This position will require working closely with the senior designer, design director and product development teams in London and Novara to ensure that designs are executed accurately and efficiently and focus on sustainable quality garments. Your Mission:

• Working in our atelier when required to create 3D proposals and toiles.
• Carrying out vintage research for design proposals.
• Support the Senior Knitwear Designer to conceptualise and develop new knitwear designs that align with the brand’s aesthetic and ensure the collection is balanced and cohesive throughout, meeting critical path deadlines.
• Assist with sourcing of yarns and trims for knitwear collections
• Assist in making necessary adjustments to designs based on feedback
• Support the design team with research, including trend forecasting and competitive analysis
• Work closely with technical designers and product development teams to ensure designs are executed accurately and efficiently
• Assist with other design-related tasks as needed
• Support with the development of flat sketches and tech packs in collaboration with the Senior Knitwear Designer
• Stay up to date with current trends, innovations and technologies as well as go above and beyond to help create and source new concepts.
• Partner with key departments, including the Merchandising and Product Development, on new fabric developments, new technical fabrics and fabric selection for the collections.
• Work with the Senior Knitwear Designer to implement colour palette seasonally as requested.
• Support with fittings in-house and at the manufacturer when necessary.
• Establish effective constant working relationship with product development teams overseas.
• Communicate daily with cross-functional partners, both internal and global.
• Support sample management and showroom set-up
• Overseeing and supporting the updating of collection, style and mood boards on a regular basis.
• Handling the development of each garment before handing over to Production
• Research and organising archive, ensuring a clear working environment in the design studio at all times.
• Travel when needed to support the business.

Your Talent:

• Previous experience in Knitwear design desired, preferably within a luxury fashion company
• Strong capability on using sewing machine, with sketching and technical drawing skills being highly desirable
• Strong understanding of how to produce patterns and toiles
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Knowledge of yarns and trims used in knitwear production
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records
• Passion for knitwear design and eagerness to learn and grow within the industry
• Can work effectively on several projects simultaneously
• Goal oriented, result driven individual
• Commercially minded, quickly responding to business/market needs.
• Strong team player who is able to work across multiple teams and under pressure
• High work ethic, integrity and reliability with a “Hands on” attitude
• Great time management skills
• Comfortable working additional hours to perform duties, including weekends and also travel when necessary
• Impeccable presentation and communication skills, both verbally and written

Systems and Essentials:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, and other design software
• Experience using MS applications

Reward Our philosophy is to go beyond monetary return and consider ourselves responsible for your wellbeing, your family, your health, your time and the community.

• Up to 50% discount on Stella McCartney products
• Exclusive staff sales and sample sales - Including other LVMH brands
• Matched pension contribution up to 6%
• Extensive private medical and critical illness insurance, as well as life assurance
• Annual Health Screening
• Annual Leave Shop where employees can buy or sell annual leave
• Flexible working/core hours
• Enchanced Maternity/paternity packages
• Matched Give as You Earn charity scheme
• Fitness membership (Classpass credits)
• Volunteer and Birthday leave
• Health cash plan
• Financial wellbeing program
• Physical and Mental Wellbeing Support Services
• Employee referral bonus

Optional/ Paid Benefits Season ticket loan, cycle to work and tech schemes, travel and dental insurance and much more. We welcome people with disabilities and endeavour to make reasonable adjustments, if you do require such adjustments please let us know within 48 hours of your interview. At Stella McCartney, we like to be bold. For us this means challenging ourselves and the wider industry in which we operate. As part of our commitments to inclusive fashion, we have an ambitious strategy to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the centre of everything we do. Our starting point is to create a workplace where different voices are respected, heard and empowered in equal measure regardless of factors such as culture and backgrounds, and to influence and disrupt fashion and other industries by providing opportunities for global diverse talent to shine.