Apparel Designer, Performance Apparel

Skew Talent; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 76,500 - 93,500; Full time

Job summary

A direct-to-consumer athletic brand based in New York City is hiring an Apparel Designer to shape their next generation of performance lifestyle apparel. This hybrid role requires 4-6 years of experience in apparel design, ideally in activewear. The designer will lead from concept to production, balancing function, fit, and style while collaborating with a lean team. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and strong technical design skills are essential. This position offers a chance to work closely with the founder and contribute to exciting projects.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years of apparel design experience, ideally in activewear or performance men’swear.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Experience with garment construction and building tech packs.

Responsibilities

• Lead apparel design from concept to production, including sketching and tech packs.
• Develop seasonal collections merging technical performance with lifestyle aesthetics.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities in activewear and athleisure.

Skills

Apparel design experience

Adobe Illustrator proficiency

Technical design skills

Garment construction knowledge

Organizational skills

Proactive attitude

Fast-paced environment experience

Detail-oriented

Job description

Location: NYC-based, hybrid (3 - 4 days in office)

Compensation: $85K+

To Note: The team is open to both full and part time candidates for this role.

My client, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer athletic brand based in New York City, is hiring an Apparel Designer to help define the next generation of performance lifestyle apparel. The brand is at an exciting inflection point—building on a strong foundation in activewear while expanding into new categories and deepening its connection with a passionate, active community.

This role is ideal for a designer who understands that the best athletic apparel works as hard as the people who wear it. The team is seeking someone who's equally comfortable designing technical performance gear and elevated everyday pieces—someone that can balance function, fit, and style while keeping the brand's voice clear and consistent. You'll work directly with the founder and a lean, collaborative team to design, develop, and bring products to life from concept through production.

What You’ll Do

• Lead apparel design from concept to production, including sketching, tech packs, fabric selection, fit sessions, and sample reviews
• Develop seasonal collections that merge technical performance with lifestyle aesthetics, ensuring every piece solves a real problem for the customer
• Conduct market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities and stay ahead of shifts in activewear, athleisure, and men’s lifestyle
• Partner with manufacturers and vendors to source innovative fabrics, trims, and construction methods that meet quality, performance, and cost targets
• Build and maintain detailed tech packs and spec sheets, ensuring accuracy and consistency throughout the development process
• Manage fit sessions and wear testing to ensure products meet functional requirements and brand standards
• Collaborate with merchandising, product development, and marketing teams to ensure collections align with brand vision and business goals
• Stay connected to the customer: understand how they move, what they need, and how the product shows up in their lives

Who You Are

• 4–6 years of apparel design experience, ideally in activewear, athleisure, or performance men’swear
• Strong technical design skills: proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, experienced in building tech packs, and knowledgeable about garment construction
• You understand fit, fabric, and function—and know how to balance all three without compromise
• Experience working with overseas manufacturers and managing production timelines from development through delivery
• Organized and proactive: you can juggle multiple styles in development, keep everything on track, and move quickly when needed
• You thrive in a fast-moving startup environment where you'll wear multiple hats and solve problems on the fly
• Taste-driven and detail-obsessed: you have a sharp design eye and a high bar for quality and craftsmanship
• You're excited by scrappy, all-hands‑on‑deck teams and take pride in doing work that matters
• While not a must-have, ideally you have a personal connection to the world of athletics, fitness, or an active lifestyle—you understand the customer because you are the customer