Apparel Designer

Job Description

Confidential Search | Full-Time | Hybrid | New York, NY

Salary Range: $90,000–$110,000

An established New York-based women’s apparel company is seeking an experienced Designer to join its Design team. This is a hands-on role for a designer who can manage the product development process from initial concept and sketch through prototype development, fitting, and production handoff.

The ideal candidate combines a strong fashion eye with the technical and organizational skills needed to successfully develop commercially relevant product in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred category experience includes Knit Tops, Woven Tops, Pants, Pant Sets, and Jackets.

Responsibilities

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• Lead design development across assigned product categories from concept through production handoff.
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• Conduct market and trend research and translate seasonal insights into relevant, commercially viable product.
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• Create trend reports, concept mockups, and detailed Adobe Illustrator sketches for presentations and buyer reviews.
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• Develop and maintain comprehensive Tech Packs, including construction details, measurement pages, BOMs, colorways, trims, and product specifications.
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• Maintain style information and development documentation within PLM.
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• Review prototypes to ensure proper execution of design intent and make revisions as needed.
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• Collaborate with patternmakers on garment construction and execution of challenging styles.
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• Participate in proto and post-proto fit meetings and incorporate fit and cross-functional feedback into designs.
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• Communicate directly with domestic and overseas factories throughout the development process to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and maintain development timelines.
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• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Technical Design, Merchandising, and other teams to ensure designs are practical, cost-conscious, and executable.
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• Maintain WIP throughout the design and development process and ensure accurate and complete handoff to Technical Design and Production.
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• Manage multiple styles, categories, and deadlines while maintaining design quality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
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Qualifications

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• 5–7 years of women’s apparel design and product development experience, with demonstrated ownership of the design lifecycle from concept and sketch through production handoff.
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• Strong preference for experience designing Knit Tops, Woven Tops, Pants, Pant Sets, and Jackets.
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• Strong fashion design, sketching, garment construction, and product development skills.
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• Experience developing product with domestic and overseas factories.
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• Strong knowledge of Tech Packs, BOMs, fittings, garment construction, and production-ready documentation.
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• Ability to balance creative design with commercial viability, cost considerations, and production requirements.
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• Excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
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• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced apparel environment.
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Education & Technical Skills

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• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related discipline from an accredited fashion/apparel program preferred.
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• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator.
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• Experience working with PLM systems and maintaining product development documentation.
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• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook.
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The Opportunity

This position offers an experienced designer the opportunity to be involved throughout the entire product development lifecycle , working collaboratively across Design, Merchandising, Patternmaking, Technical Design, Production, and overseas partners.

We are seeking a designer who is creative, technically strong, highly organized, commercially minded, and comfortable taking ownership of assigned categories in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

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• Please note: This is a confidential search. Additional information regarding the company will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.
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