Associate Apparel Designer - A&F Womens Swim

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is seeking an Associate Designer for the Swim department to drive the design and development process from concept to final garment.

The role emphasizes trend research, mood boards, Illustrator sketches, fabric and trim selection, and collaboration with cross‑functional teams to bring the brand vision to life. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in Fashion Design with 1+ year experience in apparel design and a strong understanding of swim construction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field required.
• 1+ years hands‑on apparel design experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of design and production processes, especially for Swim or Intimates.

Responsibilities

• Drive the daily design process including trend research, mood boards, sketching in Illustrator, fabric and trim selection and development, fitting and approving final garments.
• Manage multiple seasons and product lifecycles for the swim department.
• Research the global market to ensure that the product is in tune with emerging trends and relevant to our customer and brand voice.
• Present the line to senior leadership, providing insight on style and fit and getting the team on board with ideas and trends.

Skills

Trend research

Illustration

Fabric & trim development

Product lifecycle management

Design presentation

Collaboration

Swim/Intimates design

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

PLM

Adobe Suite

Job description

Our Design team is the driving force behind our brand’s commitment to beautiful, authentic designs and quality materials and construction. Associate Designers help manage the full design and development process; from concept to flat sketch, from initial sample to final garment. We value originality and creativity and seek to be leaders in the market, not followers. Our designers are fueled by curiosity, inspiring the total team to push the product to new levels. We’ve created a unique environment that fosters both ownership and collaboration across design teams working toward the cohesive vision of our brands.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Driving the daily design process including: trend research and mood board creation, sketching in Illustrator, fabric and trim selection and development, fitting and approving final garments.
• Managing multiple seasons and product lifecycles for the swim department.
• Researching the global market to ensure that the product is in tune with emerging trends and relevant to our customer and brand voice.
• Clearly presenting the line to senior leadership, providing insight on style and fit and getting the team on board with ideas and trends.

What Do You Need to Bring?

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or a related field, with 1+ years of hands‑on experience in apparel design.
• Expertise: Deep understanding of both design and production processes, with a strong focus on Swim or Intimates preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in design software, including PLM and Adobe Suite.
• Design Ownership: Eagerness to help manage the design process.
• Customer Insight: A genuine interest in connecting with and understanding our customers.
• Trend Analysis: Skill in identifying and translating relevant trends into actionable design ideas.
• Technical Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of fabrics, fits, and construction methods to guide yourself and your team through the product lifecycle.
• Presentation Skills: Confident in presenting ideas clearly, authentically, and inspiring.
• Risk‑Taking: Willingness to take bold risks and push boundaries.
• Adaptability: Must thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating flexibility and quick thinking.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams to bring the brand’s vision to life.