Hiring and Sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers (SOC Code 3422)

Clothing, Fashion, and Accessories Designers, classified under SOC Code 3422, are innovative professionals who play a crucial role in the fashion industry, specializing in the design of clothing and related accessories. Their work is integral to the development of new trends and styles, influencing consumer choices and experiences. The following points outline their responsibilities and the current landscape for hiring in this field:

• Client Interaction: Liaises with clients to determine the purpose, cost, technical specifications, and potential uses or users of clothing and fashion accessories.
• Market Research: Undertakes research to identify market trends, analyze production requirements, and assess the availability of resources to inform design concepts.
• Design Development: Prepares sketches, designs, patterns, or prototypes for textiles, clothing, footwear, jewelry, and fashion accessories, ensuring creativity and functionality are balanced.
• Approval Process: Submits designs to management, sales departments, or clients for approval, articulating the design rationale and making any necessary alterations based on feedback.
• Material Specification: Specifies materials, production methods, and finishes to achieve desired aesthetic or functional effects in the final product.
• Production Oversight: Oversees the production of samples and/or finished products, or produces unique items for fashion shows, ensuring high quality and adherence to design vision.
• Intellectual Property Management: Observes and manages issues relating to intellectual property to protect creative designs and innovations.

With a robust fashion sector in the UK, skilled designers are increasingly in demand, prompting many brands and fashion houses to seek international talent. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in the process of hiring and sponsoring designers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Clothing; fashion and accessories designers?

SOC Code 3422 refers to clothing, fashion, and accessories designers who create innovative and functional designs in the fashion industry. Their responsibilities can include:

• Liaising with clients: Working closely with clients to identify the purpose, cost, technical specifications, and potential users of clothing or related fashion accessories.
• Conducting market research: Analyzing market trends, production requirements, and resource availability to inform design concepts.
• Preparing designs: Creating sketches, designs, patterns, or prototypes for textiles, clothing, footwear, jewelry, and fashion accessories.
• Submitting designs for approval: Presenting designs to management, sales departments, or clients, and effectively communicating design rationale while making necessary alterations.
• Specifying production details: Determining materials, production methods, and finishes to achieve desired aesthetic or functional effects.
• Overseeing production: Managing the production of samples and/or finished products, or creating one-off items for fashion shows.
• Managing intellectual property: Observing and addressing intellectual property issues related to designs and innovations.

Fashion designers play a vital role in the textile and fashion industries, influencing consumer trends, enhancing creativity, and contributing to economic growth.

Eligibility to Hire Clothing; fashion and accessories designers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements  

Clothing, fashion, and accessories designers seeking employment must exhibit a strong blend of creativity, technical skills, and industry knowledge. Candidates should meet the following qualifications or experience criteria:  

• Portfolio of Work: A diverse collection of documented designs, including sketches, patterns, and prototypes that showcase originality and innovation in clothing and accessory design. 
• Client Liaison Experience: Demonstrated ability to work closely with clients to discern the purpose, cost, technical specifications, and intended users of fashion items. 
• Market Research Skills: Proficiency in conducting research to analyze current market trends, production requirements, and resource availability to inform design concepts. 
• Design Skills: Expertise in sketching and creating designs for various fashion elements including textiles, clothing, footwear, jewelry, and accessories. 
• Approval Process Knowledge: Experience submitting designs for approval to management, sales departments, or clients, effectively communicating design rationale and implementing necessary alterations. 
• Technical Specifications: Ability to specify the materials, production methods, and finishes to achieve desired aesthetic or functional effects. 
• Production Oversight: Experience overseeing the production of samples and finished products, including creating one-off items for fashion shows. 
• Intellectual Property Awareness: Understanding of intellectual property issues as they pertain to fashion design.

Candidates’ experiences and work must align with SOC Code 3422 to ensure they meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers under SOC Code 3422.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Clothing; fashion and accessories designers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Clothing; fashion and accessories designers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Clothing; fashion and accessories designers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Clothing; fashion and accessories designers

Before the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Clothing; fashion and accessories designers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Clothing; fashion and accessories designerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers

Sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers under SOC Code 3422 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Clothing; fashion and accessories designers under SOC Code 3422 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.