Design Associate - Apparel

Bernardo Fashions LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Bernardo Fashions LLC in New York seeks a Design Associate to support the Creative Design Director across the product lifecycle, from concept development through production. This role focuses on sportswear categories from woven to knits and requires initiative, adaptability, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

You will create technical sketches in Illustrator, render colors, and build/style line sheets, while ensuring documentation remains up-to-date and aligned with seasonal themes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in women’s apparel design, with a focus on woven and knits.
• Strong eye for detail and organizational skills.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Creative Design Director to create inspirational design boards aligned with seasonal themes.
• Research and identify emerging trends, fabrics, silhouettes, trims, color to inform direction.
• Produce technical sketches in Illustrator and color renderings for each style.
• Create and maintain comprehensive style line sheets and update documentation throughout the season.
• Develop initial handoff packages for Technical Design with sketches, fabric and trim info.
• Serve as a liaison between Design, Technical Design, overseas Product Development and Sales.
• Support preparation and execution of Design meetings, handoffs and line reviews; attend fittings and document changes.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Illustrator

Garment construction knowledge

Fittings coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Bernardo Fashions, a global leader where premium outerwear has been

our foundation and signature for over 45 years, is looking for a Design Associate. The company is expanding its apparel categories to a lifestyle sportswear line. Every piece is guided by the

same principles: refined fit, meticulous detail and modern yet timeless style.

The Design Associate will play a key role in supporting the Creative Design

Director throughout the entire product lifecycle—from initial concept

development through to production. This position will focus primarily on

design and product development in all sportswear categories from woven to

knits. The ideal candidate will bring initiative and adaptability in a dynamic

environment and be collaborative across cross-functional teams. Exceptional

attention to detail in approach to design specifications as well as excellent

organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple projects while meeting

• Collaborate with Creative Design Director to create compelling inspirational design boards that effectively communicate design concepts aligned with seasonal themes.
• Research and identify emerging trends, new innovative techniques in fabric, silhouettes, trims, pattern and color to inform design direction and align with brand and customer aesthetic.

Technical Skills & Documentation

• Produce all technical sketches in Adobe Illustrator along with color &

print rendering for each style.

• Create and maintain comprehensive style line sheets, ensuring all documentation is updated throughout the seasonal process as changes occur.
• Develop initial style handoff packages for Technical Design that include sketches, fabric and trim information.
• Strong Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite for flat sketching and color rendering.
• Comprehensive understanding of garment construction and fit
• Serve as a key liaison between Design, Technical Design, overseas Product Development and Sales teams to ensure accurate information flow and timely communication throughout the development process.
• Support preparation and execution of all Design meetings, Handoffs, and Line Reviews.
• Attend all fittings and document and update all changes.

Education & Experience

• Work experience in women’s apparel design with a focus on woven and knits.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field preferred.

Salary range: $75,000 – $85,000 annually