Senior Designer, DKNY/ French Connection Men's Outerwear & Swim

Senior Designer, Men's Outerwear & Swim

Location: New York City, Midtown Manhattan – Fashion District (On-Site)

Department: DKNY/ French Connection Men's Outerwear & Swim

Reports To: Vice President of Design

About G-III Apparel Group:

G-III excels at bringing excitement and confidence to customers through the fashion we create. We are global experts in design, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and marketing, which enables us to fuel the growth of a substantial portfolio of brands. With more than 30 licensed and owned brands, including some of the most sought-after names in global fashion, our success is driven by our team’s entrepreneurial spirit and our deep relationships across the industry.

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Designer to join our DKNY/ French Connection Men's Outerwear & Swim team. This role will lead the design and development of contemporary outerwear and swim collections that reflect the DKNY/ French Connection brand aesthetic while balancing creativity, trend, and commercial success. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of men's outerwear and swim, exceptional design and technical skills, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally to execute fashion-forward collections from concept through production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of the DKNY/ French Connection Men's Outerwear & Swim collections from initial concept through final approved prototypes.
• Research current and emerging fashion trends, fabrics, trims, colors, silhouettes, and market direction to establish seasonal concepts aligned with the DKNY/ French Connection brand aesthetic.
• Develop cohesive, fashion-forward collections across men's outerwear and swim categories, including wool coats, puffers, bombers, trenches, quilted jackets, swimwear, and related product.
• Create detailed sketches, CADs, and comprehensive technical packages with a strong understanding of garment construction, fit, fabrication, and finishing.
• Communicate seasonal design concepts and development direction to overseas factories, requesting initial mock-ups and prototype samples.
• Review prototypes, attend fittings, evaluate garment construction, and communicate revisions using annotated sketches, specifications, and fit comments.
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Production, Technical Design, Product Development, and Sales to ensure design integrity and successful product execution.
• Source seasonal fabrics, trims, hardware, linings, and other design components while managing development approvals with overseas vendors.
• Evaluate collection performance throughout development and refine styles to support seasonal merchandising objectives and SKU targets.
• Mentor junior members of the Design team while managing multiple projects and maintaining seasonal development calendars.

Who You Are:

• A creative design leader with a passion for contemporary men's outerwear and swim and a strong eye for detail.
• A strategic thinker who balances innovation with commercial awareness.
• A collaborative partner who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• An effective communicator who builds strong relationships with cross-functional teams and overseas partners.
• A self-starter who takes initiative, inspires others, and drives projects from concept to completion.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or technical degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
• 8–10+ years of professional apparel design experience.
• Men's outerwear design experience required.
• Experience designing men's swimwear strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience designing men's fashion outerwear, including wool coats, puffers, bombers, trenches, quilted styles, and other outerwear categories.
• Strong understanding of men's swimwear design, fabrication, fit, construction, and performance requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong hand sketching, CAD, and presentation skills.
• Deep understanding of garment construction, pattern development, fit, fabrication, and the product development process.
• Experience working in a high SKU-count environment.
• Experience working with overseas factories and vendors.
• Strong trend forecasting abilities and the ability to translate runway and market inspiration into commercially viable collections.
• Excellent organizational, communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Portfolio showcasing relevant men's outerwear and/or swim design experience is required.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• PTO and company holidays
• Employee discounts

The salary for this position is: $125,000 per year.

Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

G-III Apparel Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. |

G-III's owned brands include DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris, Donna Karan, Vilebrequin, Sonia Rykiel, G.H. Bass, Bass Outdoor, Andrew Marc, Eliza J., G-III Sports and more. G-III has fashion licenses under Calvin Klein , Tommy Hilfiger, Cole Haan, Dockers, Guess?, Kenneth Cole, Levi's, Vince Camuto, Margaritaville and more. G-III also operates retail stores for the DKNY, Karl Lagerfeld Paris and Donna Karan brands.