Design Director – Women’s RTW - NYC

We are excited to invite an experienced Women’s Design Director to join our team. Looking for an organized, director with expertise in the design, line creation, and development from concept to production. You will be responsible for creating a seasonal collection of innovative products appropriate for the women’s RTW customer while leading and mentoring the Design and Art teams.

Responsibilities:

• Report to the President, who oversees all product categories and aspects of the design direction (Cut & Sew, Woven, Weekend Collection, Artisan, and Sweaters).
• Must work closely on deadlines with high calendar efficiency
• Travel seasonally - European shopping and European presentations
• Collaborate with the Creative Design Director on Season direction/prints & fabrics
• Work closely with the sourcing team on design development, denim wash development/fits
• Present all designs merchandised by classification to the President, ensuring all silhouettes and key shapes are covered
• Oversee the Design Team on all designs/request forms on new development designs/construction & finishing.
• Review & approve all drapes from the in-house sample room
• Communicate daily with the Head of the Pattern Room to prioritize samples for seasonal meetings.
• Set up seasonal design presentations with the design team to present to the President before developing
• Manage sample developments to reduce overdevelopment to the best of your ability.
• Review seasonal fabric & trim reviews to ensure newness within the line assortment
• Present to the VP of Design the styles to develop at the factory level to reduce the amount of in-house sample development.
• Present Seasonal Line to Sourcing Teams
• Collaborate with the Creative Design Director & Team to set up showroom looks for seasonal line buyer
• Assist in the seasonal coloring of monthly deliveries with the buyer and team
• Post Line selection review with the Merchandising Team
• Proto fittings with President, Buyer & Teams
• Post proto-fit reviews with Merchandising and Company
• Ensure all RE-Design requirements from Buyer / Merchandising are executed and developed in a timely manner

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience and/or an advanced degree from a fashion institute
• Team Leader, Mentor
• Technical Garment knowledge
• Fabric knowledge
• Merchandising/Line Building
• Strength in identifying key items
• Cost engineering of garments
• Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft/Excel
• Confident, strong presentation skills

Annual Salary $200K+ Range, Full Benefits

Hybrid 4 days In NYC Office / 1 WFH