Women's Denim Design Director

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 a Design Director, Denim to set the creative vision for women's denim and own the category end-to-end, from fit and block architecture through wash development and finishing. Partnering closely with Design leads across RTW and Miramar, this role ensures every silhouette and treatment is aligned with rag & bone's brand aesthetic, commercially viable, and grounded in a strong point of view. The Director will build and lead a design team, cultivate direct relationships with premium global mills and laundries, and travel internationally to source fabric innovation and stay ahead of denim trends.

Responsibilities:

• Work in conjunction with Design team leads across RTW and Miramar to set the creative vision for women's denim, aligned with rag & bone's overall brand aesthetic and go-to-market strategy
• Conceptualize and lead core fit/block development end-to-end, creating silhouette architecture and leading fit sessions based on style relevance, fabrications, and more
• Direct wash development and finishing, partnering closely with mills and laundries to create signature, differentiated treatments
• Manage and mentor a design team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and creative culture
• Partner cross-functionally with merchandising, production, sourcing, and commercial teams to ensure the design vision translates into all washes and fabrications and is commercially viable
• Travel internationally to mills, factories, and trade shows (Kingpins, etc.) to source fabric innovation and stay ahead of global denim trends
• Build and maintain relationships with premium denim mills (Japan, Italy, Turkey, US) to secure exclusive or differentiated fabrication

Requirements: 

• 10+ years of denim design experience, with at least 5 years in a design leadership role owning a women's denim category
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Deep technical expertise in fits, fabrics, and wash/finishing processes
• Experience building relationships directly with mills and laundries; existing relationships with premium global mills (Japan, Italy, Turkey) a strong plus
• Global perspective; prior experience with a global denim brand is a plus, as is experience within American premium/contemporary denim
• A strong personal point of view balanced with commercial instinct
• Comfort working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed

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 $160,000 and $185,000 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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