Art Director

Retrofête Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & H)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Job summary

Retrofête Inc. is seeking an Art Director to shape the brand’s visual world across photography, campaigns, and content, in partnership with the Creative Director to drive the seasonal creative vision for Retrofête and Seroya.

You will lead photoshoots, guide graphic design, and mentor in-house teams while leveraging AI tools to push creative boundaries without compromising luxury heritage. This role anchors brand storytelling across campaigns, lookbooks, and digital touchpoints, balancing

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in art direction within fashion or luxury brands, startup contemporary brands or founder-led brands a plus.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in photoshoots, campaigns, and brand storytelling.
• Experience managing photographers, retouchers, and post-production teams (in-house or freelance).
• Strong understanding of emerging AI tools within creative workflows.
• Deep understanding of fashion imagery, lighting, composition, and post-production workflows.
• Proven ability to lead creative projects from concept through final delivery.
• Exceptional eye for detail, color, and visual storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal creative direction with the Creative Director and manage a clear seasonal calendar.
• Define and evolve the brand’s visual language across campaigns, editorials, and brand moments.
• Oversee retouching, color correction, image selection, and final asset delivery.
• Direct all photoshoots and coordinate budget, casting, styling, locations, and execution.
• Lead the Graphic Design function across all brand channels and ensure brand standards.
• Directly manage in-house Photographer, Photo Editor, and Graphic Design team.
• Leverage AI tools to support concept development and early-stage visual exploration.

Skills

Creative leadership

Brand storytelling

Art direction

Photoshoot direction

AI in design

Team leadership

Detail oriented

Job description

The Art Director is responsible for shaping and executing the visual world of the brand across photography, campaigns, graphic design, and branded content. This role works closely with the Creative Director to drive the seasonal creative vision and ensures its execution across campaigns, lookbooks, and storytelling moments for the Retrofête and Seroya brands.

Responsibilities

Creative Vision & Brand Storytelling

• Lead the development of seasonal creative direction in partnership with the Creative Director, including ownership of a clear seasonal creative calendar.
• Define and evolve the brand’s visual language across campaigns, editorials, and key brand moments.
• Ensure all imagery reflects a cohesive, elevated, and distinctive brand identity.
• Oversee retouching, color correction, image selection, and final asset delivery.
• Maintain and elevate the brand’s visual identity across all outputs.
• Stay ahead of cultural, fashion, and visual trends to keep our brands fresh and aspirational.
• Balance innovation with brand heritage and commercial objectives.
• Ensure all branded content maintains a luxury sensibility while remaining culturally relevant.

Photoshoot Direction & Production

• Concept, plan and direct all photoshoots (campaign, eCommerce, lookbook, and special projects).
• Work with Production to ensurebudget, casting, styling direction, set design, locations, and overall shoot execution are executed correctly.
• Lead on-set creative direction, ensuring alignment with brand vision and creative standards.

Graphic Design & Brand Creative

• Lead and manage the Graphic Design function across all brand channels.
• Oversee the development and execution of marketing, digital, social media, email, packaging, retail, event, and brand collateral.
• Ensure consistency of brand standards across all consumer touchpoints
• Partner closely with marketing and eCommerce teams to translate campaign concepts into compelling customer-facing creative.
• Establish design standards, creative processes, and approval workflows to ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency.
• Review and approve all graphic design assets prior to release.
• Drive continual evolution of the brand’s visual identity while maintaining consistency across channels.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Directly manage and mentor the in-house Photographer, Photo Editor, and Graphic Design team.
• Establish clear creative direction and performance expectations across all creative functions, including shot lists, and post-production standards.
• Build efficient workflows between creative, marketing, eCommerce, merchandising, and production teams.
• Collaborate closely with Styling, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to align creative with product and business priorities.
• Ensure all creative work supports both brand-building and commercial objectives.

Creative Innovation

• Leverage AI tools to support concept development, mood boarding, and early-stage visual exploration.
• Identify opportunities to enhance efficiency in post-production, image selection, and content iteration through AI-enabled workflows.
• Evaluate and implement emerging creative technologies that support brand objectives.
• Maintain a strong point of view on where AI enhances vs. detracts from brand authenticity, ensuring all outputs remain elevated and human led.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in art direction within fashion or luxury brands, startup contemporary brands or working within a founder-led brand a plus.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in photoshoots, campaigns, and brand storytelling.
• Experience managing photographers, retouchers, and post-production teams (in-house or freelance).
• Strong understanding of emerging AI tools within creative workflows.
• Deep understanding of fashion imagery, lighting, composition, and post-production workflows.
• Proven ability to lead creative projects from concept through final delivery.
• Exceptional eye for detail, color, and visual storytelling.

• Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)