Freelance Fashion Designer

Lingerie Designer – Bras & Intimates

Location: New York, NY

Industry: Fashion / Intimates / E-Commerce / Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a talented and creative Lingerie Designer to join a growing, digitally native, direct-to-consumer (DTC) intimates brand specializing in bras, underwear, and everyday essentials. The ideal candidate has a strong background in intimate apparel design, with a deep understanding of fit, construction, fabric innovation, and consumer trends.

This individual will play a key role in developing stylish, comfortable, and functional lingerie collections that align with the brand's aesthetic and resonate with its customer base. We are looking for someone who combines creativity with strong technical design expertise and understands the fast-paced nature of an e-commerce-driven fashion business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of bras, underwear, and intimate apparel collections from initial concept through final production.
• Create seasonal collections, mood boards, sketches, color palettes, and detailed technical specifications.
• Design a variety of bra silhouettes, including wireless, underwire, molded cup, bralette, and everyday comfort styles.
• Develop underwear assortments across multiple silhouettes, fabrics, and fit categories.
• Partner closely with technical design, product development, merchandising, and production teams to ensure exceptional fit, quality, and consistency.
• Participate in fittings, evaluate prototypes, and recommend adjustments to improve comfort, support, and functionality.
• Research emerging trends, innovative materials, fabric technologies, and competitive products within the intimates market.
• Collaborate with merchandising and e-commerce teams to develop commercially successful collections informed by customer feedback, sales performance, and market demand.
• Work with domestic and international manufacturers to ensure designs meet quality, cost, and production requirements.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the DTC customer, balancing aesthetics, comfort, functionality, and price point.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in lingerie, intimates, or underwear design, ideally with a focus on bras.
• Proven experience designing commercially successful bra and underwear collections.
• Strong knowledge of bra construction, cup sizing, grading, support structures, fabrics, trims, and garment fit.
• Experience working with stretch fabrics, lace, mesh, microfiber, elastics, and performance materials.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and technical design software.
• Experience creating technical packages and working directly with product development and manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of the DTC and e-commerce retail landscape.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience with a digitally native or high-growth DTC intimates brand.
• Background designing for established lingerie, shapewear, or women's intimate apparel companies.
• Experience developing inclusive sizing and fit solutions for diverse body types.
• Understanding of product performance, customer reviews, return rates, and fit-related feedback in an e-commerce business.
• Experience collaborating with overseas factories and sourcing partners.