Senior Designer

Overview

Senior Designer - Denim

Position Summary

The Senior Designer - Denim is responsible for driving the creative vision, design strategy, and execution of seasonal denim collections from concept through production for Aéropostale's value and private label channels. This role combines trend leadership, technical denim expertise, and commercial acumen to create innovative, consumer-driven products that align with brand objectives and market opportunities. The Senior Designer partners closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and Sourcing teams to deliver compelling denim assortments that reflect current trends, exceptional fit, premium craftsmanship, and strong business performance.

The ideal candidate is a highly creative and detail-oriented denim expert with a deep understanding of denim fabrics, washes, silhouettes, construction techniques, and emerging industry trends. They possess strong leadership skills, excel in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about creating product that resonates with the target consumer.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Creative Leadership

• Lead the design and development of seasonal denim collections across assigned categories, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetic, customer needs, and business goals.
• Establish and communicate seasonal design concepts, storytelling, color direction, wash strategies, and fabric platforms.
• Research and interpret global denim trends, vintage inspiration, cultural influences, runway collections, social media, and market developments to inform product direction.
• Translate trend insights into innovative, commercially viable denim products through sketches, wash developments, fabric selections, and design detailing.
• Drive innovation in silhouette, fabrication, fit, finishing techniques, and sustainability initiatives where appropriate.

Product Development & Technical Execution

• Develop detailed design specifications and technical packages that accurately communicate design intent, construction requirements, trims, washes, and finishing details.
• Oversee all stages of wash development, including concept approvals, strike-offs, lab dips, sample reviews, and bulk approvals.
• Lead fit reviews and provide direction on proportions, construction, and garment refinements to achieve optimal fit and product performance.
• Review and approve prototypes, fit samples, sales samples, and production samples to ensure consistency, quality, and brand standards.
• Partner with Technical Design and Product Development teams to balance design vision with functionality, quality, and manufacturability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Merchandising to develop balanced assortments that support category strategies, customer demand, sales goals, and margin objectives.
• Work alongside Sourcing and Production teams to identify fabric, wash, and trim opportunities that deliver innovation and value.
• Maintain open communication with vendors and factory partners to ensure accurate execution of design specifications and quality standards.
• Support seasonal line reviews, presentations, and key milestone meetings with clear design rationale and product recommendations.

Trend & Market Analysis

• Conduct ongoing competitive shopping and market research across retail channels, digital platforms, and social media to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Analyze sales performance, customer insights, and market data to inform future assortment strategies and product innovation.
• Monitor industry advancements in denim technologies, sustainable materials, wash techniques, and manufacturing processes.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop junior design team members, providing guidance on creative development, technical skills, and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and solution-oriented team environment.
• Promote excellence in design execution, organization, and process management across the team.

Project & Process Management

• Manage seasonal calendars and ensure all design deliverables are completed on schedule.
• Maintain organized records of seasonal developments, inspiration materials, wash libraries, fabric archives, and design documentation.
• Support continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or related field.
• 6+ years of denim design experience within the apparel industry, preferably in contemporary, lifestyle, specialty retail, or youth-focused brands.
• Extensive knowledge of denim fabrics, construction techniques, garment washes, finishes, fits, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of current fashion trends, consumer behavior, and the global denim market.
• Exceptional sketching, illustration, and presentation skills with the ability to create detailed technical flats.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Microsoft Office, and PLM systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional partnerships throughout the product creation lifecycle.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior design talent.
• Knowledge of AI-driven design and visualization tools, including platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom, or similar technologies, to support ideation, concept development, and product visualization.

Core Competencies

• Denim Design Expertise
• Trend Forecasting & Consumer Insights
• Product Innovation
• Technical Design Knowledge
• Wash & Fabric Development
• Creative Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Strategic Thinking
• Project Management
• Mentorship & Team Development
• Commercial Awareness
• AI-Enhanced Design Processes

Pay Range

USD $89,100.00 - USD $162,000.00 /Yr.