Freelance Apparel Designer

SETactive; Beverly Hills (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

SET Active offers an Apparel Designer role to support the Product Design team in turning seasonal direction into trend-forward athleisure designs. The role emphasizes CAD work and close collaboration with the Product Development team to translate direction into commercially viable products.

This freelance position runs through December 2026, with potential to extend or convert to full-time, and provides creative ownership across multiple seasonal collections in a premier activewear brand based

Qualifications

• 3-7+ years of experience in apparel or activewear product design.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and CAD development.
• Solid understanding of garment construction, fabrications, trims, and end-to-end product development.
• Strong design sensibility with ability to translate creative direction into commercially viable product.

Responsibilities

• Develop CADs and design concepts based on direction from the Senior Product Design Lead.
• Execute seasonal design concepts across silhouettes, color, fabrications, and details.
• Support development and refinement of seasonal assortments.
• Assist in creating color palettes, prints, and key seasonal design elements.
• Conduct ongoing trend research across athleisure, activewear, and lifestyle categories.
• Support identification of competitors and relevant market trends.
• Translate trend insights into actionable design concepts under leadership direction.
• Partner closely with Product Development to ensure design intent is executed through sampling and production.
• Support integration of trims, branding, labeling, and construction details early in the design process.
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback from leadership.
• Ensure designs align with brand aesthetic, seasonal direction, and cost targets.
• Maintain consistency across product categories and collections.
• Support preparation of CADs and presentation materials for leadership review.

Skills

Cad development

Adobe Illustrator

Garment construction

Trend research

Collaboration

Presentation

Job description

The Apparel Designer supports the Product Design team in bringing SET Active's seasonal vision to life through thoughtful, trend-forward execution. This role works closely with the Senior Product Design Lead and Product Development team to translate seasonal direction, trends, and brand vision into commercially relevant athleisure product designs.

This is a highly creative, detail-oriented role for someone passionate about activewear design, with strong CAD skills and a strong eye for modern, elevated product aesthetics.

This is a freelance position, through December 2026, with the potential to extend or convert to full time.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Execution

• Develop CADs and design concepts based on direction from the Senior Product Design Lead
• Execute seasonal design concepts across silhouettes, color, fabrications, and details
• Support development and refinement of seasonal assortments
• Assist in creating color palettes, prints, and key seasonal design elements

Trend & Market Research:

• Conduct ongoing trend research across athleisure, activewear, and lifestyle categories
• Support identification of competitors and relevant market trends
• Translate trend insights into actionable design concepts under leadership direction

Collaboration & Development:

• Partner closely with Product Development to ensure design intent is executed through sampling and production
• Support integration of trims, branding, labeling, and construction details early in the design process
• Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback from leadership

Product Execution & Alignment:

• Ensure designs align with brand aesthetic, seasonal direction, and cost targets
• Maintain consistency across product categories and collections
• Support preparation of CADs and presentation materials for leadership review

Qualifications:

• 3-7+ years of experience in apparel or activewear product design, preferably in athleisure, performance, or lifestyle brands
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and CAD development
• Solid understanding of garment construction, fabrications, trims, and end-to-end product development
• Strong design sensibility with ability to translate creative direction into commercially viable product
• Experience supporting seasonal design cycles from concept through production
• Strong awareness of trends, silhouettes, and consumer behavior in activewear
• Highly collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced, feedback-driven environment
• Strong communication and visual presentation skills