Trend Design Assistant - Brands

Job ID
Job ID 74726
Team
Team Product
Location
Location London
Contract Type
Contract Type Perm
Job Schedule
Job Schedule Full time
Salary
Salary £33,000 to £42,000
Posting Date
Posting Date 02/03/2026
Apply Before
Apply Before 16/03/2026
Person browsing colour thread swatches on a table covered with yarn samples, striped socks, and measuring tape.

Summary

Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am-6pm.

The Role
We are seeking a Trend Design Assistant to support our Trend Forecaster across a diverse portfolio of fashion and sports brands. This is a dynamic, fast-paced role covering Womenswear, Menswear and Kidswear, with the opportunity to develop ownership in a key category.

You will play a vital role in identifying emerging trends, analysing the market, and supporting the delivery of commercially relevant trend insights to design and buying teams.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone highly trend-aware, creatively curious and commercially minded, looking to grow within a forward-thinking fashion environment..

What You’ll Take On

Trend & Market Research

  • Support global retail and trend research under the direction of the Trend Forecaster
  • Monitor catwalks, street style, retail and social media for emerging trends
  • Download, categorise and analyse catwalk and street style imagery
  • Compile weekly updates on key shows, cultural moments and industry news
  • Save and archive editorials, campaigns and relevant visual research
  • Attend industry talks and exhibitions where relevant, feeding back key insights
  • Assist with ad hoc research projects as required

Retail & Social Reporting

  • Contribute to monthly competitor shop reports (in-store and online)
  • Provide regular cross-gender updates to buying teams
  • Track and report on social media trends, including key hashtags, films, TV and cultural influences

Calendar & Organisation

  • Maintain and update the fashion and cultural calendar, including trade shows, exhibitions, key events and relevant cultural releases

Category Development

  • Opportunity to take ownership of Menswear, Sportswear or Kidswear as a focus area, developing trend insight within that category while supporting the Womenswear forecaster.

What You’ll Bring

You are highly trend-aware with a strong creative eye and the ability to connect cultural shifts to commercial product opportunities. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, work flexibly, and bring genuine passion for the fashion industry.

You will demonstrate:

  • A strong understanding of current and emerging fashion trends
  • Commercial awareness and an understanding of the high street and competitive landscape
  • Excellent visual research skills and attention to detail
  • The ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
  • Strong communication and presentation skills

Essential:

  • Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator
  • Strong visual research and sourcing skills
  • A good eye for styling and trend direction
  • Womenswear experience

Desirable:

  • Experience producing film clips, GIFs or audiovisual presentations
  • Knowledge of AI tools and programs
  • Data analysis skills
  • A passion for Menswear, Sportswear or Kidswear

Portfolio: All applications must come with a trend focused portfolio! Any submitted without one will not be considered.

Your portfolio should prove you’re already living in 2027, showcasing deep-dive research into AW26 and beyond. We need a visual storyteller who can spot a micro-trend at a glance and turn it into a must-have product. Show us your forecast, bring your AW26/SS27 concepts to the table!

Sponsorship
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.

#LI-Onsite

Benefits

  • 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
  • Company performance based bonus
  • Sharesave scheme
  • On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
  • 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
  • Early VIP access to sale stock
  • Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
  • Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
  • Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
  • Free on-site parking
  • Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
  • Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
  • Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
  • Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
  • Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

What's Next?

Team Overview

This is where ideas become incredible collections. Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists collaborate to create products our customers love. You'll spot global trends, strategically balance our range plans and meticulously test quality so every season feels fresh, inspiring and exceptional.

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Our brands

You’ve probably heard of NEXT, but did you know about our portfolio? Every brand in our offering brings a distinct story, attitude and community. Spanning contemporary lifestyle brands, established high street names and timeless collections, together they showcase the vibrancy of today’s retail world.

About NEXT

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
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