Womenswear Designer
We are Forgotten Tribes, an independent womenswear brand based in Deptford, Southeast London. With a strong focus on natural and innovative cellulosic fabrics, we craft original, comfortable everyday clothing for women of all ages and body shapes. Our mission is to inspire confidence and bring a sense of calm to everyday dressing.
Over the past 10 years, we’ve established a loyal customer base across the UK and EU markets. With a clear vision and defined direction, we are now ready to embark on our next phase of growth.
The Role:
We are seeking a talented and ambitious junior to mid-level womenswear designer to join our close-knit team. You will work closely with our creative director to design and develop a capsule collection while refreshing our best-selling pieces each season.
In this role, you will be responsible for creating detailed tech packs, overseeing sampling, and ensuring quality control. With ample room to shape your own role and plenty of learning opportunities, this is a fast-track path to a rewarding career within our rapidly growing brand.
The ideal candidate will be a highly creative, self-motivated individual with solid garment design and construction knowledge, a keen eye for fabric and colour trends, and a good commercial sense.
Who We’re Looking For:
- Minimum of 3 years of womenswear design experience for commercial brands across multiple categories.
- Degree in fashion design or a related field.
- Proficiency in creating tech packs with strong flat drawing and spec sheet skills.
- Excellent hand sketching and CAD abilities, with advanced skills in Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Experience in designing across multiple womenswear categories, with a focus on soft wovens and jersey. Experience in denim, knitwear, or sportswear is a plus.
- Good understanding of fabrics, trims, garment construction, and pattern-making. Knowledge of grading rules is a bonus.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to design in line with our brand’s vision, identity, and customer needs.
- A natural interest in fashion and a deep connection to current styles and retail trends.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of clearly conveying technical details to in-house pattern cutter and external manufacturers.
- Strong organisational skills with a keen eye for detail.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Proactive, with a problem-solving mindset, and a passion for exploring innovative solutions.
- Energetic, positive, and eager to learn new skills.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with creative director to design seasonal capsule collections and update best-selling items.
- Research and source new design inspirations while staying updated on colour, fabric (esp. innovative sustainable options) and silhouette trends.
- Assist in sourcing and selecting fabrics and trims.
- Create sketches and present design concepts to the team.
- Prepare detailed, accurate tech packs for sampling, including technical drawings, measurements, and grade rules.
- Lead fitting sessions to review samples, working with the pattern cutter/garment technologist as needed, and provide fit comments to the factory.
- Conduct quality checks and approve shipment samples.
- Offer guidance to the team on garment care and fabric quality.
Additionally, you’ll have the chance to explore other areas of interest and develop new skills, such as:
- Visiting factories and attending trade shows internationally.
- Styling photoshoots and contributing merchandising ideas.
- Contributing to marketing, branding, and social media strategies.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary, £30-35K, depends on experience
- Annual performance-based bonus scheme
- 25 days of paid annual leave
- A welcoming, light-filled studio environment with a supportive, close-knit team.
- Minimal admin work and a flat hierarchy.
- Fast-tracked career progression within a dynamic, fast-growing company. We also offer sponsorship for career-based training courses if needed.
- Flexibility to shape your role, with opportunities to expand into new areas aligned with your interests.
APPLICATION:
*Please note, this is a full time, office-based position. You will need to be able to commute to our Deptford studio on weekdays.
To apply, please send the following:
- Your CV
- A portfolio showcasing your recent works
- A tech pack you have created previously