Our Client, a Retail and Departmental Stores company, is looking for an Associate Designer for their New York, NY/Hybrid location.
Responsibilities:
Act as the primary point of contact between the design team and third-party vendors
Clearly communicate design intent, fit comments, and product details
Coordinate and track all sample submissions, lab dips, and design approvals
Manage incoming and outgoing submits to ensure deadlines are met
Maintain professional, timely email correspondence with vendors
Support head designers by documenting and following up on fit comments
Maintain organized design libraries, records, and sample archives
Assist in the preparation of design packages, decks, and presentations
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to keep projects aligned and on schedule
Support the design development of collaborative and third-party collections, ensuring alignment with brand standards
Contribute to seasonal concepts, color palettes, prints, and silhouettes specific to collaboration initiatives
Create and update technical sketches and flats using Adobe Illustrator
Support fabric, trim, wash, and color selection in partnership with the Designer
Contribute to mood boards, concept decks, line reviews, and collaboration presentations
Conduct trend, market, and competitive research using digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WGSN, and Miro
Product Development & Vendor Coordination
Create, update, and maintain detailed and accurate tech packs, including measurements, construction details, BOMs, and design comments
Support fit sessions by capturing detailed notes, tracking revisions, and following up on required changes
Assist with sample management, including tracking, organizing, reviewing, and maintaining sample libraries
Track product updates throughout the development lifecycle to ensure accuracy and on-time execution
Support communication with third-party vendors and overseas factories to uphold design intent and brand expectations
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and Sourcing teams to align collaborative product with line plans, costing, and timelines
Assist in managing seasonal calendars and collaboration-specific milestones
Support adoption meetings, line reviews, and cross-functional checkpoints
Administrative & Operational Support
Organize and maintain design files, collaboration decks, reference libraries, and seasonal boards
Update PLM systems, line plans, BOMs, and internal tracking tools
Support market preparation, collaboration launches, and internal presentations
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred
1–3 years of experience in apparel design or product development (including internships)
Experience working on collaborations, licensed product, or with third-party vendors strongly preferred
Apparel industry experience required
Portfolio required
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM experience a plus
Working knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and fit
Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when working with external partners
Basic understanding and hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation, concept development, and design visualization
Strong interest in collaboration-driven product and brand partnerships
Proactive, adaptable, and open to feedback
Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple timelines
Team-oriented with a positive, collaborative mindset
Ability to balance creative thinking with execution and deadlines