Fashion Design Director

Job Description

Job Description

Design Director 

Location: Hybrid – Norristown, PA 

Company: D'IYANU LLC 

About D'IYANU 

D'IYANU is a leading ecommerce fashion brand inspired by authentic African heritage, creating bold, modern apparel for men, women, and children. Our mission is to celebrate culture through exceptional design while delivering outstanding customer experience to customers around the world. 

As we continue to grow, we're looking for a visionary Head of Design/Design Director to lead our product creation process, inspire our design team, and shape the future of the D'IYANU brand. 

Position Overview 

The Head of Design is responsible for the overall creative vision and execution of D'IYANU's apparel collections. This leader will oversee every stage of the design process—from concept and trend research through product development and production handoff—while managing and mentoring the design team. 

The ideal candidate combines exceptional creative talent with strong leadership, organizational excellence, and commercial awareness. They understand how to build collections that are both fashion-forward and profitable while maintaining the unique DNA of the D'IYANU brand. 

Key Responsibilities 

Creative Leadership 

• Define and execute the overall design vision for each seasonal collection. 
• Lead collection storytelling, seasonal themes, color palettes, print direction, and product assortment. 
• Ensure every collection reflects the D'IYANU brand while evolving creatively each season. 
• Drive innovation while maintaining commercial viability. 
• Present seasonal concepts and collection direction to executive leadership. 

Product Development 

• Lead collections from initial concept through production handoff. 
• Oversee sketch development, print creation, garment details, trims, colorways, and fabrics. 
• Review and approve all tech packs before production. 
• Partner with Technical Design throughout fittings and sample reviews. 
• Ensure products meet quality, fit, functionality, and cost objectives. 
• Work closely with overseas factories to resolve design and development challenges. 

Team Leadership 

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Design team. 
• Establish clear priorities, deadlines, and accountability. 
• Conduct weekly design meetings. 
• Create efficient design workflows and documentation. 
• Coach designers to continuously improve their technical and creative skills. 
• Participate in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and performance management for the Design department. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with Production to ensure collections stay on schedule. 
• Collaborate with Marketing to communicate collection stories and product highlights. 
• Work closely with Ecommerce to support product launches with compelling product information. 
• Coordinate with Planning and Inventory teams to align product assortments with business goals. 
• Work with leadership to balance creativity, margins, pricing, and customer demand. 

Brand & Business Strategy 

• Protect and evolve the D'IYANU brand identity. 
• Analyze customer feedback and sales performance to improve future collections. 
• Identify market opportunities and emerging fashion trends. 
• Balance innovation with commercial success. 
• Help shape long-term product strategy and category expansion. 

Process & Organization 

• Own seasonal calendars and product development timelines. 
• Ensure milestones are achieved across all collections. 
• Maintain organization of design files, print libraries, and development assets. 
• Improve design processes for greater efficiency and scalability. 

Qualifications 

Required 

• 8+ years of fashion design experience. 
• 3+ years leading or managing a fashion design team. 
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field (preferred). 
• Strong expertise in garment construction, fit, grading, fabrics, trims, and product development. 
• Exceptional print, pattern, and color sensibility. 
• Experience designing multiple apparel categories. 
• Strong understanding of the complete apparel development lifecycle. 
• Experience working directly with overseas manufacturers. 
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple collections and competing priorities simultaneously. 

Preferred 

• Experience in contemporary or premium apparel. 
• Experience in ecommerce or direct-to-consumer brands. 
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and related design software. 
• Experience developing prints and textile artwork. 
• Knowledge of PLM systems and product development workflows. 
• Passion for African fashion, textiles, and global design influences. 

Success in This Role 

Within the first year, the Head of Design will: 

• Elevate the creative direction of every D'IYANU collection. 
• Build a highly organized and accountable Design team. 
• Improve product development efficiency and on-time launches. 
• Strengthen product quality, fit, and consistency. 
• Help increase customer excitement through compelling collections. 
• Collaborate closely with leadership to support the company's growth objectives. 

D'IYANU Benefits 

• Hybrid Work Schedule 
• Medical Insurance 
• Dental Insurance 
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 
• Paid Company Holidays 
• 40% Employee Discount 
• Simple IRA Retirement Plan 
• Collaborative and Creative Work Environment 
• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing fashion brand 

Application Questions 

• Do you have at least 8 years of fashion design experience? 
• Do you have previous leadership experience managing a fashion design team? 
• Describe your experience leading seasonal apparel collections from concept through production. 
• Do you have experience working with overseas factories and manufacturers? 
• How would you describe your expertise in garment construction, fit, fabrics, and product development? 
• Please provide a link to your portfolio. 

Work Location 

Hybrid – Norristown, PA 19401 

Candidates must be able to reliably commute to our Norristown office multiple days each week.