Knitwear Designer in High Wycombe

Mint Velvet began when founders Liz Houghton and Lisa Agar-Rea set out to create an unfailingly chic collection of contemporary, great quality staples and elevated fits that they felt were missing from their wardrobes. Feeling frustrated that they couldn’t find anything they wanted to wear, or the great customer service they craved, they started fusing relaxed comfort with glamorous yet wearable fashion trends. Relaxed Glamour was born.

As collaborative creatives, we take untold pride in our work, designing with heart and soul. We want to be a force for good and are committed to becoming a more circular and responsible business, from the fabrics we choose to our considered processes. We are an agile and growing business, and we work hard to create an environment which allows for growth and progression, balanced with the support and flexibility needed to meet the challenge of a high-performance culture.

Our leadership teams and founders sit amongst the teams and encourage a culture of balance and passion. MV is a very special place, and our values are anchored by three main pillars: people, planet, and community.

We are looking for a fantastic Knitwear Designer with a soft handwriting to join our dynamic and passionate Design team, based at our Head Office in High Wycombe. Working closely with your Buyer and with the guidance of the Design Manager, you will produce designs that deliver the key trends of the season, making sense of fashion for our customer, in line with our signature relaxed glamour ethos.

Our Values:

With Soul. Courage & Resilience. Passion & Drive. Entrepreneurial Spirit. Collaborative.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Researching, interpreting & designing our knitwear range in line with our relaxed glamour ethos, applying a soft handwriting
• Being the true Knit expert - keeping abreast of relevant current and future trends for your area, sharing ideas and inspirational references, and interpreting the Mint Velvet versions of key trends and shapes - always thinking of end use
• Visiting inspirational shops/markets/fabric and yarn fairs and more to research and progress relevant ideas for product development, working with our in house print and textile experts to collate relevant information for supplier sourcing packs, and visiting key suppliers to action new samples
• Continually shopping ideas for new shapes/trims etc and always having a strong commercial awareness of key competitors
• Spec’ing designs to a high standard, and working with your Buyer to ensure the correct interpretation of your design specs to deliver sample accuracy
• Reviewing fit samples with your Buyer and Technologist as they come back from suppliers, proactively resolving any issues and ensuring we keep to our critical path
• Continually reviewing the range with your Buyer to ensure choice and newness is offered, as well as ensuring we potentialise best sellers, and identify and address any missed opportunities
• Presenting to the wider Design and Buying teams each season, ensuring you present a compelling picture of the design and product vision for your area, backing styles you feel strongly for

To join our vibrant and fast-growing business as a Knitwear Designer, you will:

• Have proven Knitwear Design experience at a similar level in a fashion business and strong technical Design expertise (including skill in graphics and knit stitch designs)
• Have an authentic creative passion and eye, and an affinity with our signature ‘relaxed glamour’ ethos - able to effortlessly translate inspiration into MV-appropriate designs
• Have a fantastic knowledge of yarns, stitches and trims (with a keen eye for detail and metal wear) and innovative ways to mix knits with other fabrics
• Be able to demonstrate your ability in hand drawn designs, as well as CAD, Photoshop and/or Illustrator
• Be organised, a self-starter, and able to prioritise your workload in order to get the job done to the highest standards
• Be able to articulate yourself clearly and confidently when communicating your ideas and designs, and respond gracefully to challenge
• Be a great colleague to those you work with and readily share your knowledge and expertise with others
• Be resilient in working at pace, adapting to change and open to constructive feedback
• Consistently role model our Mint Velvet brand values

You'll be rewarded with:

• Competitive starting salary and great career prospects in a fast-paced and growing business
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and an additional day off on your birthday
• Company-funded private health insurance and access to our EAP Smart Health and Retail Trust
• Life assurance
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• 50% staff discount
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Free Parking
• Early pay day finish - Finish at 3pm every pay day Friday, plus Summer hours (3pm finishes every Friday throughout June, July & August)
• Bespoke induction support and ongoing development to help you thrive in your new role
• In-house performance coaches for all levels

Please include examples of work and/or your portfolio in your application.