Overview
The Designer will work cross functionally with Graphic Design, Sales and Merchandising to create and develop seasonal apparel lines while supporting the overall brand’s objective.
Key Accountabilities
- Research and identify marketplace trends on style, fit and color to maintain a brand strategy.
- Create CAD sketches of styles in development.
- Review and approve all technical packs to ensure accuracy of product development and create tech packs as necessary.
- Ensure that the design team is made aware of major milestones and deadlines throughout the design process including fabric requests and sourcing timelines.
- Oversee the creation, development and execution of design process while implementing the overall brand strategy and merchandise objectives for their functional area.
- Present developed designs to internal partners and customers as needed.
- Attend all fitting meetings and lend feedback to ensure design intention is captured.
- Work closely with Graphic Designers, Sales and Merch to prepare line reviews and presentation materials for market and corporate brand meetings.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of the seasonal design catalogs to ensure accuracy.
- Ensure Design Operations and Sourcing have the most accurate information on line development and that changes were implemented.
- Communicate regularly with Sales and Merchandising teams to discuss line development progress and share feedback.
- Review and approve styles, materials, trims and colors and effectively communicate approvals to appropriate cross functional teams and factories.
- Participate in sampling communication between sample room. Design, and cross-functional teams as needed.
- Manage, train and develop Associate and Assistant Designers.
- Initial fit/Sample pass off to TD for new fits.
- Manage Fashion Show concepting, styling and work with Marketing on Go‑sees.
- Special projects as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design
- 5+ years of experience in the fashion industry (children’s wear knowledge a plus)
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
- Excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills with attention to detail
- Ability to lead and develop a team of Assistant/Associate Designer(s)
- Brand appropriate aesthetic
Consistent in‑office presence is vital to the role as it is for all Haddad Brands team members, so that we all have a full appreciation, aesthetically and tactilely, of the qualities that define our brand partners’ products and set them apart from their competitors.