Designer - Soft Accessories
1 day ago
Havant
Role Title - Designer - Accessories Department - Design Reports To - Design Manager Contract Type - Full-Time, Permanent Working Arrangements/Pattern - Hybrid Working Working Location - FatFace HQ, Havant, PO9 1QJ About us Who are we? For over 30 years, we’ve travelled, we’ve laughed, we’ve grown. We believe life is for living and more fun with those we love. We are Made for Life. Our mission statement: Crafting clothes for life’s everyday adventures. Today, tomorrow and always. Our Product formula: Considered style. Trusted Quality. B Corp certified. Equality and inclusion isn’t an aspiration but the standard. We promote and drive equality within our workforce to ignite an inclusive foundation for us all to build from and truly connect with our customers, colleagues, and communities alike. You play a key part in creating an environment free from prejudice, racism, sexism, harassment, bullying and any other form of marginalisation in our workplaces. Role Summary We’re looking for a creative and driven Accessories Designer (Hair, Scarves & Cold Weather) to bring fresh ideas to our Havant-based team. Collaborating with Buying and supported by the Design Manager, you’ll shape collections that set trends, stay true to our brand ethos, and excite our customers. Role Responsibilities • Design and deliver seasonal collections across Women’s and Men’s accessories, including: Hair accessories (print and 3D), Cold weather knits & Scarves (print, fabric, and construction) with a high level of detail, quality, and range attributes, ensuring they align with the FatFace brand DNA., • Drive newness and innovation, staying ahead of current and future trends to identify fresh shapes and deliver commercially relevant products., • Collaborate with Buying & Merchandising to develop cohesive bag ranges informed by trend insights, sales performance, option plan and customer needs., • Produce comprehensive design packs, detailed technical drawings, CADs, and artworks to ensure high-quality first samples are delivered on time in line with the critical path., • Conduct ongoing market and competitor research, maintaining strong commercial awareness and identifying opportunities for differentiation., • Regularly review ranges with Buying to ensure choice, balance, and newness, maximising best sellers and addressing missed opportunities., • Liaise confidently with suppliers on design details, fabrics, and construction to bring concepts to life., • Present seasonal ranges to the wider team and senior stakeholders, articulating design direction, key trends, and standout products., • Take ownership of range reviews and first sample reviews, identifying gaps and opportunities., • Support the Design Manager with seasonal research and concept development, contributing to mood boards, theme direction, and trend presentations., • Champion FatFace’s social and environmental mission, embedding sustainable thinking into your design approach wherever possible. Skills and Experience • Experience at Designer level, with experience of hair accessories & cold weather an advantage., • Degree or equivalent in Fashion based subject, • Excellent 3D drawings skills, • Experience of creating original prints., • Excellent communication and presentation skills, • Ability to communicate with externals and Senior Management, • Excellent research skills, • Excellent organisational and time management skills while maintaining attention to detail, • Ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines and cope with heavy workloads Role Competencies • Strong eye for trends and understanding of the FatFace brand, • Be organised, a self – starter and able to prioritise own workload, • Strong technical knowledge within print and knit is essential, • Ability to convey designs from paper to 3D design, • Good Knowledge of Factory processes and be able to articulate yourself clearly and confidently when communicating and briefing out suppliers, • Creative and able to convey vision of Fat Face Brand, • Comprehensive understanding of customer profile, product range & competitors, • Demonstrate knowledge of trend within the marketplace, • Be resilient in working at pace, adapting to change and open to constructive feedback, • You should thrive and be able to organise and prioritise own workload, • Work well within a collaborative, team focused environment, meeting tight deadlines and sticking to critical path, • Presents key trends and product information to the appropriate teams, • Undertakes research trips, buying suitable samples for use in range development Key Contacts and Relationships: Internal: • Product team – Design, Buying and Merchandising External: • Suppliers FatFace Benefits: Financial & Protection Benefits • Sick pay allowances, • Critical Illness Income protection/ Death in service (for salaried colleagues), • Pension scheme – with net deduction and salary sacrifice options, • Dental insurance (colleague funded) Discounts & Perks • 60% off FatFace products, • 25% discount at Next stores (across full price products), • O2 phone discount, • Discounted gym membership, • Cycle to Work scheme (for salaried colleagues), • EV vehicle scheme (for salaried colleagues), • Perkbox – our online platform offering:, • Day-one access, • Exclusive brand discounts, • Wellbeing content, • Home workouts and more Health & Wellbeing • Specsavers eye care scheme, • Eye tests and contributions to glasses, • Free period products, • EAP support 24/7 via UNUM, Retail Trust, and Fashion & Textiles Support Learning & Development • THRIVE – our learning management system:, • Day-one access, • 1,000s of learning resources Time Off & Leave • 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, • Sabbatical leave (in line with service), • Enhanced family-friendly policies – including enhanced maternity leave, • Flexible Working Opportunities – flexible working requests can be made from day one of employment and are considered on an individual basis. Additional Perks • Refer a Friend scheme We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply — you might be just the right fit.