Fashion Designer Assistant

Overview

Be part of 240 years of British knitwear excellence. Are you a creative, detail-oriented design student looking to gain hands-on industry experience with a world-renowned British knitwear brand?

Design Assistant
Full Time | 12 Month Placement
£24,761 Per Annum
24 days annual leave + bank holidays

Starting Summer 2026 for second-year undergraduate students (year placement). Flexible earlier start for postgraduate candidates.

At John Smedley, we’ve been designing and crafting exceptional knitwear for over two centuries. We’re offering an exciting 12-month Design Placement opportunity for a second-year undergraduate completing a year in industry, or a postgraduate seeking practical industry experience, to join our Design & New Product Development team.

This is your chance to bring fresh ideas to a brand steeped in heritage, supporting real projects, contributing to seasonal collections, and learning from experienced designers in the heart of Derbyshire.

• Work closely with our Head of Design and the wider team, involved in every stage of the creative process from concept to production.
• Support the creation of garment specifications, CAD drawings, and design documentation.
• Assist in developing seasonal collections including mood boards, colour palettes, and swatches.
• Help prepare and measure samples, attend fit sessions, and record design amendments.
• Liaise with internal teams to track samples and follow up on deadlines to keep projects on schedule.
• Contribute to sustainability and innovation projects supporting process improvements and waste reduction.
• Prepare presentation materials for photoshoots, product launches, and customer meetings.
• Maintain organised sample archives and departmental stock, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
• Able to commute 5 days a week to our Mill in Matlock, DE4.

• A strong team player with excellent communication skills.
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and keep others on track when needed.
• Curious, creative, and eager to learn from a fast-paced design environment.
• Confident using IT tools including Microsoft Outlook and Teams.
• Passionate about fashion, design, knitwear and sustainability.
• Currently studying a Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or Textile Design degree (knitwear specialism desirable).

• Essential: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for technical CAD drawings
• Competent in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Desirable: Familiarity with Shima APEX design software

• Be part of a globally recognised British heritage brand.
• Gain hands-on experience working on real design projects.
• Work in a collaborative, supportive, and creative environment.
• Access to wellbeing programmes and our in-house Culture Club activities.
• Discounts on hundreds of retail, travel, and leisure services.

Ready to knit your future in design? Apply now and take the first step in your creative journey with John Smedley.

• Location:
  
  Shirebrook, England, United Kingdom
• Seniority level:
  Internship
• Employment type:
  
  Contract
• Job function:
  Design
• Industries:
  Design Services

Postings for related roles and geographic locations are provided for context and may update over time.