Hela Brands is a multi-brand apparel business operating across menswear, womenswear and kids, spanning apparel, footwear and accessories. Our portfolio includes brands such as Ellesse, Nautica, Reebok, AVX Avirex Dept, Fenchurch, Yogi, Peter Werth and more.
We are looking for a creative, driven and ambitious Junior Apparel Designer to join our design team. This role is suited to a designer with strong foundations, early industry experience, and the appetite to keep developing their skills within a fast‑paced apparel environment.
The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for product, trend and consumer relevance, alongside a natural flair for graphics, branding, colour, print and visual storytelling. You should be confident supporting the design process, open to feedback, and eager to develop a more considered understanding of how brand identity translates into relevant, authentic and commercially viable product.
Junior Apparel Designer
Location: Huddersfield (Hybrid)
Company: Hela Brands
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Start: Immediate
The Role
You will support the design and development of apparel collections, working closely with the Head of Design, senior designers and wider product team to help bring collections to life from concept through to final execution.
This is a hands‑on role for someone who wants to continue building strong design foundations while contributing meaningfully to product. You will have the opportunity to take responsibility for the creation of product collections, while also supporting the wider design team across research, CAD development, graphics, technical packs, sampling and presentation work.
You will help create product that is commercially relevant, brand‑appropriate and credible within the wider range, while developing your understanding of how product works as part of a collection — from brand‑building pieces through to more commercial drivers.
This role will support you in building confidence across design judgement, communication, technical execution and the ability to translate creative ideas into clear, considered product.
Key Responsibilities / Performance Measures
- Design seasonal apparel collections and SMU product, while supporting wider design team priorities as required. Ensure all output aligns to brand identity, design direction, commercial requirements, and the role of each product within the wider range.
- Research trends, competitors, consumers, colour, graphics and styling references, translating findings into relevant, brand‑appropriate design ideas.
- Contribute to apparel graphics, print layouts, branding placements and visual details, ensuring ideas feel authentic to the brand and appropriate for the product range.
- Produce clear, accurate CADs and technical packs for development teams and factories, integrating into PLM systems.
- Work closely with product developers through sampling, fittings and proto reviews, building knowledge and ensuring product meets expectations across fit, quality, cost and function.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with merchandising, sales and development teams to ensure alignment on price architecture, timelines and product strategy.
- Take feedback positively and apply it effectively, showing a willingness to learn, improve and develop design judgement.
- Build confidence through opportunities to present design ideas internally with clarity.
- Continuously build knowledge of fabrication, construction, graphic applications and market trends, applying this to both personal output and overall product quality.
Skills & Experience
- 1–3 years’ experience in apparel design, menswear, sportswear, streetwear or a related design role.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel design ability, commercial awareness and the ability to create relevant, brand‑appropriate graphic solutions.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is essential, Photoshop is beneficial.
- Good eye for colour, proportion, branding, typography, print and graphic placement.
- Understanding of garment construction, fabrics and manufacturing processes.
- Ability to create clear CADs and communicate design ideas visually.
- Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn through feedback.
- Collaborative, proactive and organised, with a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
- Ambition and drive to develop within a growing design team.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to work across established and growing brands.
- Exposure to the full design and development process.
- Support from experienced designers and senior team members.
- Opportunity to develop both apparel and graphic design skills.
- Flexible working (1–2 days from home, with flexibility where appropriate)
- Staff discount and sample sales.
Apply
Submit your CV and portfolio showcasing your design work and thinking.
