Junior Designer - Womenswear Sportswear - Frasers Group - London, England, United Kingdom

Company Description

At Frasers Group we’re rethinking retail. Through digital innovation and unique store experiences, we’re serving our consumers with the world’s best sports, premium and luxury brands globally. As a leader in the industry, we’re elevating the retail experience for our consumers through our collection of established brands, including Sports Direct, FLANNELS, USC, Frasers, and GAME. 

Why join us? 

Our vision - we are building the planet’s most admired and compelling brand ecosystem 

Our purpose - we are elevating the lives of the many with access to the world’s best brands and experiences 

At Frasers Group, we fear less and do more. Our people are forward thinkers who are driven to operate outside of their comfort zone to change the future of retail, embracing challenges along the way. The potential to elevate your career is massive, the experience unrivalled. To be able to make the most of it you need to live and breathe our principles: 

• Own it and back yourself - Own the basics, own your role and own the result 

• Think without limits - Think, think fast, think fearlessly 

• Be relevant - Relevant to our people, our partners and the planet 

Are you ready to join the Fearless? 

Job Description

USA Pro and Slazenger are established sportswear brands within Frasers Group, with a strong heritage across activewear, fitness and performance product.

As part of Frasers Group's continued investment in its own-brand portfolio, USA Pro and Slazenger are evolving their product offer to deliver exciting, relevant and commercially successful sportswear for today's consumer.

Working from our creative London design studio, you'll join a fast-paced and collaborative team responsible for developing product that combines fashion, functionality and performance across women's sportswear.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at a pivotal stage of brand growth and play a hands-on role in shaping the future of the womenswear offer.

The Role: 

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Junior Designer - Womenswear Sportswear to support the design and product development of collections across USA Pro and Slazenger.

Reporting to the Senior Designer, you will play an integral role in developing commercially relevant womenswear sportswear, from initial concepts and trend research through to garment development, fittings, approvals and production.

You'll work closely with Design, Buying, Garment Technology, Product Development and overseas suppliers to create product that balances fashion, performance, quality, fit and commerciality.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about sportswear and product, has a strong eye for detail and understands how to translate trends and consumer insights into wearable, commercially successful product.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the design and development of women's sportswear collections across USA Pro and Slazenger, including performance, fitness, training and lifestyle product.


• Research seasonal fashion and sportswear trends, competitor brands, market direction, colour, fabric, print, graphic and silhouette trends to identify relevant product opportunities.


• Develop mood boards, trend presentations, colour stories and customer-focused design concepts.


• Translate creative concepts into commercially viable sportswear product, considering functionality, performance, fit and end use.


• Create accurate CADs, technical drawings, colourways and specification information to support the product development process.


• Assist with fabric, trim, print, branding and component sourcing, considering performance, quality, cost and commercial suitability.


• Develop product details including trims, panels, colour blocking, branding, prints, graphics and functional features.


• Work closely with Buying, Garment Technology and Product Development to ensure designs meet customer, quality, fit and commercial requirements.


• Communicate regularly with overseas suppliers and factories to manage product developments, comments, approvals and critical path deadlines.


• Review samples and provide clear, concise and accurate development comments to suppliers.


• Attend fit sessions alongside the Garment Technology team, contributing to fit, construction and product improvements.


• Develop a strong understanding of sportswear garment construction, performance fabrics and technical product requirements.


• Manage samples throughout the development process, ensuring they are organised and available for fittings, meetings and presentations.


• Support range reviews, product sign-offs and internal presentations.


• Help maintain accurate design and development information across the range.


• Keep up to date with the wider sportswear market, emerging brands, consumer behaviour and innovations in activewear.


• Contribute positively to the creative culture of the design team, bringing fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a collaborative approach every day.

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who is genuinely passionate about womenswear sportswear and product. You'll also be excited by the opportunity to help develop the next generation of USA Pro and Slazenger product.

You'll have a strong creative eye but also understand that great sportswear design needs to be functional, commercially relevant and right for the customer.

You're curious about how products are made, enjoy getting into the detail and are comfortable working across the full design and development process. You'll be proactive, organised and confident working in a fast-moving environment where priorities can change quickly.

• Previous experience in a fashion, sportswear or product design role, ideally within a retailer, supplier or sportswear brand.


• A genuine passion for womenswear, sportswear, activewear and product design.


• An understanding of current sportswear and fashion trends and how these can translate into commercial product.


• Experience designing across womenswear product categories; sportswear or activewear experience would be highly advantageous.


• Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop.


• Excellent CAD and technical drawing skills.


• An understanding of garment construction, fabrics, trims and product development.


• An interest in performance fabrics and technical sportswear innovation.


• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of the UK and international sportswear market.


• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple developments and deadlines simultaneously.


• Strong communication and presentation skills.


• The ability to communicate clearly and confidently with internal teams and overseas suppliers.


• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the confidence to take ownership.


• Excellent attention to detail and pride in delivering high-quality work.


• A positive attitude, strong work ethic and willingness to learn and develop.


• AI design tools or generative AI experience would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Above all, we're