Apparel Designer
4 days ago
New York
Key Responsibilities Design & Creative Support • Assist in developing seasonal sweater concepts, including yarns, stitches, patterns, and silhouettes aligned with brand direction, • Create design sketches, stitch callouts, and technical flats using Adobe Illustrator, • Support development of stripe layouts, jacquards, textures, and novelty stitches, • Collaborate on yarn selection, color development, and trim details with cross-functional teams and vendors, • Help build mood boards, concept decks, and sweater-specific presentations for seasonal reviews, • Conduct trend, market, and competitive research focused on knitwear using digital platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Miro, WGSN) Product Development & Execution • Assist in creating and updating detailed tech packs, including stitch specifications, gauge, yarn details, construction, and measurements, • Support communication of design intent to overseas vendors, including stitch developments and proto comments, • Participate in fit sessions for sweaters; take notes, track revisions, and support approvals, • Review knit-downs, strike-offs, and samples to ensure accuracy of stitch, color, and quality, • Track development timelines and maintain accurate records to ensure on-time delivery Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner with Merchandising to support sweater assortment plans, pricing architecture, and seasonal direction, • Collaborate closely with Technical Design to ensure fit, construction, and knit feasibility, • Work with Production and vendors to align on yarn sourcing, cost targets, and manufacturing capabilities, • Support seasonal milestone meetings and ensure deliverables are completed on schedule Operational & Team Support • Maintain organized sweater design files, yarn libraries, stitch references, and seasonal documentation, • Update PLM systems with accurate sweater-specific data (yarns, gauges, constructions), • Assist with line plan updates, sample tracking, and development charts, • Support market preparation, sample organization, and presentation setup Qualifications Education • Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or related field preferred Experience • 1–3 years of apparel design experience, preferably in sweaters/knitwear (internships included), • Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume environment preferred, • Portfolio required (including knitwear/sweater work strongly preferred) Skills • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM familiarity preferred, • Understanding of knitwear construction, stitches, gauges, and yarns, • Experience working with or exposure to knit-downs and sweater sampling processes, • Familiarity with Miro or similar tools for collaboration, • Exposure to AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation is a plus, • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, • Ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines simultaneously, • Strong written and verbal communication skills