Lead Designer - Topshop

Job Description

Company Description

TOPSHOP and TOPMAN are iconic British fashion brands with 60 years of heritage. Headquartered in London, the Brands have over 2 million customers across the globe through the ASOS platform and generate brand sales of c£200m. Our mission is to unlock the best of fashion for everyone, with creativity and innovation at our core.

Following the formation of a Joint Venture between ASOS and HEARTLAND in October 2024, ASOS is creating a standalone cross-functional team within ASOS which is dedicated to unlocking the huge growth potential of the TOPSHOP and TOPMAN brands. The brands will now benefit from ASOS infrastructure and resources while enjoying the creative freedom and agility of standalone brands.

The next 12 months for TOPSHOP and TOPMAN will see the expansion of the brands’ offline and online retail presence with the launch of Topshop.com and new wholesale partnerships.

Job Description

THE ROLE

Topshop is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Designer to join our dynamic design team. This pivotal role will drive the brand’s strategic direction and deliver world-class, trend-led product to our global customer base.

As the Lead Designer, you will oversee a team of 7 talented designers across Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear, ensuring alignment with Topshop’s commercial and creative goals. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally with Buying, Merchandising, Sourcing, and Technical teams to bring innovative and trend-responsive collections to life.

This role ensures you will also be working creatively to bring the trend vision to the customer, working with the Head if design in developing concepts for campaign shoots and styling to ensure the trend direction is delivered to the Topshop customer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver and develop the overall design strategy for Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear.
• Work with the Head of Design to shape and communicate the Topshop/Topman design vision, including seasonal trend concepts, big ideas, and styling and campaign direction.
• Inspire and lead your team, ensuring design output is aligned with Topshop’s brand identity and customer needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver commercially successful, trend-led ranges for both wholesale and global markets.
• Ensure product design stays ahead of the market, identifying newness and innovation in response to emerging trends and opportunities.
• Represent and champion the Topshop customer across all design decisions and end uses.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• A creative, strategic thinker with a strong trend vision.
• Proven leadership experience within a fast-paced fashion retail environment.
• Expertise across multiple product areas including Soft Wovens, Print, Jersey, and Knitwear.
• Strong understanding of global fashion trends and customer profiles.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and team management skills.

Additional Information

BeneFITS’

• Employee discount (hello ASOS discount!)
• ASOS Develops (personal development opportunities across the business)
• Employee sample sales
• Access to a huge range of LinkedIn learning materials
• 25 days paid annual leave + an extra celebration day for a special moment
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private medical care scheme
• Flexible benefits allowance - which you can choose to take as extra cash, or use towards other benefits