Women's Associate Designer, Sweaters

Job Description

Job Description

About rag & bone
From our origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone was founded on a belief of uncompromising ideals: a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. To making things that are as original as they are timeless. To being true to ourselves, even when that truth sets us apart from the mainstream. 

 
We still believe in the same principles we started with: the easy elegance of classic British tailoring, the authenticity of American workwear, and the originality of our home city, New York. As New Yorkers, community and authenticity have become synonymous with our brand. An inclusive environment at rag & bone upholds our original values by encouraging employee connection and empowering each individual to have a voice on policy, process and collaboration for a more equitable future. 

Job Summary:
rag & bone is seeking an Associate Designer, Sweaters to support the design and development of the women's sweater category from seasonal concept through final sample approval. This role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented designer with strong taste level, a solid understanding of sweater construction, and the ability to balance brand-right design with commercial needs. The Associate Designer will partner closely with the Senior Designer, Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and overseas vendors to help create compelling, modern, and well-executed sweater collections, bringing a strong eye for yarn, stitch, texture, silhouette, color, and proportion while managing multiple styles across seasonal deadlines.

Responsibilities:
Seasonal Concept & Research

• Support seasonal research and concept development for the sweater category, including trend direction, runway, vintage, market, competitive shopping, yarn innovation, stitch ideas, color, texture, and silhouette
• Assist in building seasonal mood boards, concept decks, stitch and yarn boards, and presentation materials for internal design reviews and market milestones
• Identify new sweater opportunities that align with the brand aesthetic, customer, seasonal direction, and business needs

Design Development

• Create original sketches, CADs, stitch layouts, and colorways using Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop
• Assist in developing yarn, stitch, trim, and construction ideas that support the overall seasonal assortment
• Prepare detailed design sheets and tech packs, including stitch callouts, yarn information, gauge, measurements, construction details, trims, placements, and finishing details
• Support color development, lab dip review, yarn submits, knit-downs, strike-offs, and sample approvals to ensure accuracy and brand alignment
• Maintain and update seasonal design boards throughout the development process

Sweater Technical Execution & Samples

• Partner with Technical Design and Product Development to ensure sweater designs are feasible, well-constructed, and clearly communicated to vendors
• Review proto samples, knit-downs, stitch trials, color submits, and SMS samples for accuracy of stitch, hand feel, proportion, fit, construction, quality, and overall design intent
• Attend fittings and proto reviews, take clear notes, track revisions, and support follow-up comments to vendors
• Communicate design updates, sample comments, and development direction to domestic and overseas partners in a clear and timely manner
• Help ensure seasonal deadlines are met across sketch, tech pack, proto, SMS, market, and production handoff stages

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Merchandising to support assortment needs, key item strategy, and seasonal line planning
• Partner with Product Development and Production on yarn sourcing, costing, sampling timelines, vendor capabilities, and quality standards
• Collaborate with Technical Design to maintain fit, proportion, construction integrity, and sweater feasibility
• Support seasonal design presentations, proto reviews, adoption meetings, market prep, and sample organization

Organization & Department Support

• Maintain organized digital and physical design files, including seasonal sketches, CADs, yarn libraries, stitch references, sample comments, tech packs, and development records
• Update internal systems with accurate sweater-specific information, including yarns, gauges, stitch details, colorways, trims, and construction notes
• Track samples, knit-downs, submits, and development status across the seasonal calendar
• Prepare samples for meetings, fittings, and presentations, including steaming, organizing, labeling, and setting up boards and racks as needed
• Support the Senior Designer with day-to-day design tasks, research, meeting preparation, and special projects

Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, or a related field preferred
• 2 to 4 years of apparel design experience, preferably within sweaters, knitwear, or contemporary women's ready-to-wear
• Strong understanding of sweater construction, yarns, gauges, stitches, knit-downs, fully fashioned techniques, trims, finishing, fit, and garment construction
• Strong sketching, CAD, technical flat, and design sheet abilities
• Proficiency in Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop required
• Experience with Miro, PLM, or similar design and research tools is a plus
• Strong eye for color, proportion, texture, silhouette, and brand-right product
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple styles, deadlines, and seasonal deliverables
• Strong communication skills and comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Portfolio required; sweater or knitwear work strongly preferred

Rules we live by | Rules you live by
Be a Good Human | Be original, be authentic. Stand for diversity, equitability & inclusivity
Have No Fear | Innovate and solve problems
Own Every Decision | Work together and get results
Quality Matters | Not only with product, but we see it in our people
Make Shit Happen | Be disciplined, be competitive

Our in-office policy is in office, 4 days a week.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off
• Clothing Allowance
• Generous Employee Discount
• Paid Parental Leave
• Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits
• Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits
• 401k

Salary: The target salary for this role is between $75,000 and $85,000 based on candidates' experience and expectations.

rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

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