Design Director, Men’s Denim

rag & bone; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

rag & bone is seeking a Design Director to lead Men’s Denim and White Label initiatives, translating a strong creative vision into a cohesive, denim-led collection. You will own development from concept to final production and steer a growing design team.

Based in New York, you will collaborate with merchandising, sourcing, and marketing to ensure a distinct modern American wardrobe. The ideal candidate has deep denim expertise, leadership chops, and a track record of delivering commercially

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of men’s design experience with denim focus.
• Proven track record owning a category within premium brands.
• Deep knowledge of denim fabrication, wash development, and garment construction.
• Strong ability to translate creative direction into commercially successful product.
• Experience leading design teams within a collaborative structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal design direction for Men’s Denim and White Label.
• Translate brand vision into a differentiated product assortment.
• Oversee design from concept through final development with cross‑functional partners.
• Elevate fabrication and finishing techniques across categories.
• Lead and mentor a growing design team and maintain consistency with storytelling.
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, and product teams to align goals.

Skills

Denim design

Leadership

Product development

Brand storytelling

Fabrication knowledge

Wardrobe system

Job description

Overview

rag & bone is seeking a Design Director to lead Men’s Denim and some of the White Label driving the evolution of our smart casual, denim-led lifestyle and defining a clear, modern point of view for the collection.

Reporting to the Head of Men’s Design, this role is responsible for translating the broader creative vision into a focused, commercially viable product offering. The Design Director will own the development of a cohesive wardrobe anchored in denim, while expanding into a broader expression of the modern uniform.

The ideal candidate brings a strong design perspective, deep expertise in denim and fabrication, and the ability to execute with clarity, discipline, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Denim Execution
  • Drive seasonal design direction for Men’s Denim and some White Label in alignment with the Head of Men’s Design
  • Translate overarching brand vision into a clear and differentiated product assortment
• Own Denim & Lifestyle Expansion
  • Lead design across denim, including fit, fabric, and wash innovation
  • Expand the denim lifestyle into shirting, knitwear, outerwear, accessories, and third pieces
  • Build a cohesive wardrobe system rooted in American sportswear, workwear, and denim-first styling
• Product Creation & Development
  • Oversee the design process from concept through final development
  • Partner closely with product development, sourcing, and merchandising to ensure design integrity and execution
  • Elevate fabrication, construction, and finishing techniques across categories
• Support Brand Expression
  • Execute a distinct visual and product language for White Label within the broader men’s strategy
  • Ensure consistency across product, styling, and seasonal storytelling
• Team Leadership
  • Lead and develop a growing design team
  • Provide clear direction, feedback, and mentorship to drive creative and technical excellence
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with merchandising to align on category growth and business objectives
  • Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to support go-to-market storytelling

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of men’s design experience, with a strong focus on denim and casual lifestyle
• Proven experience owning a category or leading a business segment within a contemporary or premium brand
• Deep knowledge of denim fabrication, wash development, and garment construction
• Strong ability to translate creative direction into commercially successful product
• Experience working within a larger creative structure while owning execution
• Excellent leadership and communication skills

What We’re Looking For

• A designer with aclear, confident point of view, grounded in product
• Someone who understands how to build adenim-led wardrobe system, not just individual pieces
• A leader who can bringfocus, discipline, and consistencyto a growing category
• A strong executor who thrives within acollaborative, top-down creative structure