Active & Athleisure Designer

Sweet Apparel Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sweet Apparel Inc. in New York, NY seeks an Active & Athleisure designer to support the design director with concept development, fittings, and daily submit/color approvals. Role focuses on Missy Active & Athleisure for off-price retailers, on-site in New York.

This Associate to Designer position requires a BFA in Art or Fashion Design and 4+ years of experience, with strong Illustrator/Photoshop skills and knowledge of pattern-making, technical design, and 3D design.

Qualifications

• BFA in Art or Fashion Design or related field.
• 4+ years of proven experience in active & athleisure design.
• Knowledge of fabrics, product development and off-price.
• Excellent Illustrator skills and proficient in Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of pattern-making and technical design.
• Able to translate market trends into customer-focused designs.

Responsibilities

• Drive design innovation by researching trends and presenting seasonal concepts.
• Support design director with concept development and look books.
• Manage tech packs, fabric direction, and sample development timelines.
• Collaborate with Sales and PD teams for line strategy and cost control.
• Maintain clear communication with retailers and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Active & Athleisure design

Illustrator

Photoshop

Pattern making

Technical design

3D design

Team player

Communication skills

Education

BFA in Art or Fashion Design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

Pattern design software

Job description

Sweet Apparel Inc. is a leading company in quick-turn apparel manufacturing, specializing in creating high-quality designs for juniors, women, men, and kids. Known for exceptional design, precise production, and reliable on-time delivery, Sweet Apparel thrives on innovation and attention to detail. Our team takes pride in providing outstanding fashion services that meet evolving market trends. Based in New York, NY, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of the apparel industry.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role for an Active & Athleisure designer at Sweet Apparel Inc., located in New York, NY. The Designer will focus on supporting the design director by contributing to concept development, assisting with fittings, and handling daily submit/color approvals. The role works to research, design, develop, and present products for Missy Active & Athleisure for off-price retailers.

This is an Associate to Designer title, depending on candidates experience level.

Who You Are :

• BFA in Art or Fashion Design or related field.
• 4+ years of proven experience.
• Knowledge of active + athleisure apparel design and fabrics, product development.
• Experience working with off-price.
• Excellent Illustrator skills, and proficient in Photoshop.
• Working knowledge of pattern-making and technical design.
• Working knowledge of screen printing, techniques and sublimation.
• Knowledge of textile development & 3D design a plus.
• Team player and problem solver.
• Critical thinking and analysis.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to translate market trends into customer-focused designs and present them to the customer.
• Quickly learn and adapt to new programs and processes.
• DESIGN INNOVATION: Research trends and consistently analyze the market for newness. Drive seasonal presentations utilizing digital look books, proto samples, fabric selections, and market silhouette representation—ensuring all components are complete and accurate. Collaborate with sales/merchandising and PD teams for overall strategy and agenda, adapting changes throughout.
• PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Sketch and maintain technical one-pagers for tech packs, assortments and line sheets. Provide fabric direction for mill development and trend research. Manage sample development with cross functional teams, and ensure samples meet deadlines and expectations. Work with cross-functional teams to problem-solve issues as they arise for timeliness and cost effectiveness.
• COLLABORATE: Responsible for follow up on design related items and communicating needs to cross functional teams. Support technical team with updates to the tech pack. Work with Sales teams to ensure line sheets are up to date and communicate changes that could affect cost or delivery. Collaborate with Design Director & Sales team for synergies and efficiencies.
• ORGANIZATION/COMMUNICATION: Must have entrepreneurial working style, with confidence to own decision making and communication with internal and external teams. Manage adherence to calendar and problem solve to make deadlines. Maintain clear and consistent communication with retailer partners. Drive process improvements in product development allowing for more effective and cost-efficient programs.