Fashion Design Assistant for Black & Beech

Location: Cardiff

Company Overview:

Black & Beech was founded in 2016, and our goal is to create fashion informed by feminism in the most ethical way we can. We are ambitious in our goals to be at the forefront of feminist fashion in the UK and deliver a quality product to all women that is original and inspiring.

Our values extend to all stakeholders, including our charity partnerships, our staff, and ourselves. Upholding our values of inclusivity and social justice is a key mission. In 2024 we aim to start the process of becoming a B-Corp and we are a living wage employer. We donate 10% of our profits to make radical change in society and we have given over £20,000 to this end.

Overview:

We are seeking a design assistant to support this fast growing business. We have ambitious and exciting plans and we need you to help us make them a reality.
We are a small business with a start up mentality, constantly evolving and responding to our customers passions.

This role will assist our founder with all aspects of the design process from research and concept development to creating tech packs for production and following the sampling journey.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about ethical and sustainable fashion, and its relationship to the feminist movement.

Responsibilities:

Immerse yourself in understanding our customer through research to inspire feminist-driven design concepts
Develop comprehensive visual research and render initial concepts through sketches and CAD illustrations
Be a hands-on team player willing to work across diverse product categories including homewares, surface design, jewellery, graphics, prints, and our core knitwear/technical fabric collections
Propose colour palettes, yarn selections, fabrics, trims, and materials aligned with the design vision
Create detailed technical specification packs with flat sketches, fabric swatches, construction details, etc.
Develop accurate and comprehensive tech packs with precise measurements and specifications
Oversee sample garment development, providing detailed feedback to suppliers
Conduct fittings and provide constructive feedback to refine samples based on fit and design intent
Collaborate closely with the founder to ensure commercial viability of designs
Source sustainable and ethically-produced materials in line with our brand ethos
Design graphics, prints, and jacquard knits for integration across product ranges
Travel domestically and internationally for research, material sourcing, and supplier meetings
Support design of brand collateral like lookbooks and line sheets
Spearhead sustainability initiatives and drive eco-innovation across product lines

Qualifications/Skills:

Bachelor's in Fashion Design or related field
Minimum 1 year of design experience in the fashion industry, brand experience preferred
Knowledge of swimwear, knitwear, and graphic print design is an asset
Mastery of Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
Proficiency with Excel, Google Drive, project management tools
Keen eye for colour, fabrication, and design detail
Exceptional multi-tasking abilities and acute attention to detail
Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
Passionate about ethical fashion, feminism, and sustainability principles
Creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm for hands-on design work
Positive mindset with a desire to learn in a fast-paced environment
Willingness to travel domestically and potentially internationally

Benefits:

Flexible work arrangements to accommodate different schedules (with core on-site requirements)
Generous 40% employee discount, 20% for family/friends
Complimentary organic period products, coffee/tea, snacks
28 days paid holiday per year
Cycle to Work scheme
Workplace pension scheme

Compensation:

£24,000

To Apply: Please send your CV and cover letter to stacey@blackandbeech.com with the subject line Design Assistant.

In your cover letter, please explain what makes you a good fit for this role. Attach a digital portfolio of your work which highlights your suitability for this role.