Knitwear Designer

Job description

Born in 1971, the roots of Mulberry are in Somerset, England. For more than fifty years, Mulberry has been a British lifestyle brand, internationally acclaimed for quality and design capturing the Mulberry Spirit. Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification. Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. To do this our people are honest, dynamic, and community spirited. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team. The Role: As the Knitwear Designer, you will work closely with the Design Director and the wider design team to develop the Women's knitwear collections across all seasons. You will lead the research, design and development of innovative knitwear as Directed by the Design Director. Overseeing yarn selection, stitch development and garment construction to create modern, luxurious and commercially relevant collections that reflect the Creative Directors vision and the Mulberry brand aesthetic. Duties & Responsibilities: Research - Responsible for conducting seasonal research with the design team to identify new and progressive knitwear concepts, silhouettes, yarns, stitches, finishes and techniques. - Display resourcefulness through a variety of research methods including market, vintage, archive, catwalk and trend research. - Lead yarn research and selection, sourcing innovative materials and identifying new knit techniques, constructions and finishing methods. - Seek out and identify inspirational products, textiles, trims and materials to inform shape, texture, colour and treatment during research trips in London and abroad. Design - Responsible for the design and development of innovative knitwear for the Women's RTW Collection. - Experiment with new yarns, stitch structures, techniques and finishes to create diverse, innovative, sustainable and commercially balanced collections. - Confidently communicate and develop ideas through hand sketching, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and draping. - Launch seasonal knit-downs, stitch developments and trials to support the creative direction. Product Development & Technical - Responsible for producing accurate technical packs, specification sheets, sketches and CADs for suppliers throughout the development process. - Create and update technical sketches and product specifications, ensuring all modifications following fittings are accurately recorded and communicated. - Provide detailed instructions on knit construction, finishing and garment make-up prior to SMS launch. - Participate in fit sessions for all knitwear styles, ensuring design intent, fit and quality standards are maintained. - Participate in PPS fittings alongside Product Development to ensure production readiness. - Work closely with Product Development to ensure successful product execution Responsibility - Ensure the critical path is adhered to, working towards key milestones and proactively identifying potential risks and solutions. - Communicate regularly with the Design Director regarding ideas, progress, challenges and development updates. - Support the preparation of Lookbooks and show styling where required. - Contribute to Mulberry's social and environmental sustainability initiatives throughout the design and development process. Prototypes & Samples - Work with Product Development and suppliers to ensure prototypes and samples are delivered in line with review meetings and critical path deadlines. - Liaise with suppliers throughout development to ensure designs are executed accurately and to the highest quality standards. - Travel to knitwear suppliers, mills and industry fairs to support development and maintain strong supplier relationships. Specifications - Work closely with Production and Technical teams to ensure product specifications support target costings and production handover. - Produce accurate sketches, CADs and technical documentation, ensuring all updates are clearly communicated following fittings and sample reviews. Team - Ability to work within a dynamic and fast-paced design team. - Build strong relationships across departments to ensure an efficient design-to-production process. - Be adaptable to changing priorities and business needs. Culture: - Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit. - Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues. - Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand. Sustainability: - As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our *Made to Last* strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community. - Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions - internally and externally. Skills & Knowledge Required: - - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Knitwear Design or a related discipline, supported by a strong portfolio. - Minimum 5 years' experience within the luxury fashion industry, specialising in knitwear. - Strong expertise in yarn development, knit techniques, stitch development, garment construction and finishing. - Experience designing, planning and developing seasonal knitwear collections. - Excellent CAD skills with proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. - Experience producing technical packs, specifications and supplier documentation. - Strong understanding of the knitwear product development process from concept through to production. - Experience working within a busy design studio, organising and prioritising a demanding workload. - Excellent communication and collaboration skills. - Enthusiastic and passionate about luxury fashion and craftsmanship. - Reliable, practical and detail-oriented. - Ability to work effectively both independently and within a team.