Associate Fashion Designer — Kids' Casual Apparel

Design Observer; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Observer in New York seeks an Associate Fashion Designer to join the design team, focusing on Casual apparel for Infant through Girls up to size 5. You will help develop concepts, CADs, colorways, and seasonal collections from concept through sample development.

The role emphasizes color, print, pattern, fabrication, and novelty details. Portfolio required; experience in children's apparel and CAD/Illustrator skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years fashion design experience, preferably in children's, infant, toddler, or girls' apparel.
• Experience designing Casual apparel strongly preferred.
• Degree in Fashion Design or related field preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong CAD and technical sketching skills.
• Strong sense of color, print, pattern, proportion, and silhouette.
• Knowledge of knit and woven fabrics, trims, garment construction, and children's apparel development.
• Ability to translate trends into product appropriate for the Infant, Toddler, and young Girls customer.
• Experience with prints, embroidery, appliques, graphics, smocking, specialty trims, or other children's apparel techniques is a plus.
• Experience participating in sample development and fittings.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable receiving creative direction while also contributing original ideas.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing seasonal Casual collections for Infant, Toddler, and Girls through Size 5.
• Design across categories including casual dresses, sets, tops, bottoms, rompers, jumpsuits, and related seasonal product.
• Create original concepts, sketches, CADs, colorways, and presentation materials.
• Research seasonal trends, colors, prints, graphics, fabrics, trims, silhouettes, and competitive product.
• Translate current fashion trends into commercial and age-appropriate children's casual apparel.
• Develop print concepts, color palettes, embroidery, appliqué, graphic, and trim ideas.
• Work closely with senior designers to develop cohesive seasonal collections.
• Assist with fabric, print, and trim selection.
• Prepare and maintain detailed design and development information for overseas factories.
• Review development samples for design accuracy, proportion, color, fabrication, trim, and overall appearance.
• Participate in fittings and partner with Technical Design to maintain design intent while achieving appropriate fit and construction.
• Make CAD, artwork, color, and design revisions based on sample reviews and feedback.
• Maintain organized design files, artwork, color standards, fabric/trim references, and development records.
• Track assigned styles and follow up to keep samples and approvals on schedule.
• Work cross-functionally with Design, Production, Technical Design, Sales, and overseas factories.
• Assist with seasonal market and customer presentations.
• Develop an understanding of individual customers, brands, price points, and product needs.
• Manage multiple styles and deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

CAD drawing

Technical sketching

Color & print

Time management

Organization

Education

Fashion Design degree

Job description

Design Observer in New York seeks an Associate Fashion Designer to join the design team, focusing on Casual apparel for Infant through Girls up to size 5. You will help develop concepts, CADs, colorways, and seasonal collections from concept through sample development.

The role emphasizes color, print, pattern, fabrication, and novelty details. Portfolio required; experience in children's apparel and CAD/Illustrator skills are essential for success.