Associate Designer - Licensed Apparel

Job Description

Associate Designer – Licensed Apparel

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Position Type: Full-Time, Onsite

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Location: New York City

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Salary: $65,000–$70,000

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Position Overview

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This role is ideal for a creative, trend-driven designer with required experience in character-licensed apparel and a strong understanding of the kids’, tween, or junior apparel market.

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The successful candidate will have hands-on experience designing licensed apparel, working within established brand guidelines, and developing fresh, trend-right concepts each season. They will collaborate cross-functionally to bring products from concept through production while supporting commercially viable assortments that meet customer and market needs.

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Responsibilities

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• Design and develop character-licensed apparel for Big Girls and Tweens.
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• Create seasonal CADs and sketches in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to support line presentations and product development.
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• Collaborate with Senior Designers, Graphic Artists, Product Development, and Technical Design teams to bring concepts to production.
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• Partner with Sales to ensure assortments align with customer needs and market demand.
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• Research fashion, retail, and pop culture trends to inspire new concepts and identify opportunities.
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• Participate in fittings and provide input to maintain design integrity and proper fit.
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• Communicate directly with licensors to obtain timely design approvals and ensure all designs adhere to established brand guidelines and licensing requirements.
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• Review tech packs, lab dips, strike-offs, and fabric qualities for accuracy and quality.
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• Work with costing and production teams to ensure designs are both creative and cost-effective.
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Qualifications

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• 3–5 years of design experience in kids’, tween, or junior apparel.
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• Character licensing experience is REQUIRED. Candidates must have prior hands-on experience designing character-licensed apparel (e.g., Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., or similar properties).
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• Experience working with licensors, navigating licensing approval processes, and adhering to brand guidelines.
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• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; strong sketching skills are a plus.
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• Solid knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and embellishments.
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• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
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• Must be based in New York City or open to relocation for an onsite role.
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Please Note: Candidates must have previous character-licensed apparel design experience to be considered for this position.