FREELANCE DESIGNER - Men's Apparel

Li & Fung; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Li & Fung in New York seeks a Freelance Designer to support Men’s apparel design and development for a private label client. You will work with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and overseas teams to deliver trend-right, cost-conscious products on time.

Responsibilities include CADs, sketches, colorways, prints, and presentations; translate customer needs into viable products; manage multiple styles under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience designing Men’s apparel across multiple product categories, preferably private label.
• Strong understanding of the Men’s apparel market, trends, fabrics, colors, silhouettes.
• Experience end-to-end product development from concept to final product.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Ability to create CADs, prints, graphics, colorways, and presentation materials.
• Experience with cross-functional and overseas teams.
• Experience designing for major retailers or private label customers preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to translate customer needs into commercial, trend-right products.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of Men’s apparel across multiple product categories.
• Research trends, color, fabric, print, graphics, and silhouettes.
• Create seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, and product presentations.
• Develop CADs, sketches, colorways, prints, graphics, and design details.
• Translate direction into commercially viable, trend-right product.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Merchandising throughout development.
• Prepare design specifications, tech packs, artwork, and development materials.
• Review samples and provide clear design direction.
• Communicate with overseas teams and vendors to resolve issues.
• Support customer meetings, line reviews, and seasonal development.
• Manage multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

We are seeking a talented Freelance Designer to support the design and development of Men’s apparel across multiple product categories for a key private label customer. This role will work closely with Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and overseas teams to develop commercially relevant, trend-right product that meets customer needs, design direction, cost targets, and development timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of Men’s apparel across multiple product categories for a key private label customer.
• Research and identify relevant market trends, color, fabric, print, graphics, silhouette, and product direction within the Men’s apparel market.
• Create seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, and product presentations based on customer needs, market trends, and business objectives.
• Develop CADs, sketches, colorways, prints, graphics, and design details for seasonal product assortments.
• Translate customer direction, trend insights, and business needs into commercially viable, trend-right product.
• Partner closely with Product Development and Merchandising throughout the development process to ensure designs meet customer expectations, cost targets, and timelines.
• Prepare and maintain accurate design specifications, tech packs, artwork, and other development materials.
• Review samples and provide clear design comments and direction to ensure product execution aligns with the approved concept and customer expectations.
• Communicate with overseas teams and vendors throughout the development process to resolve design and product-related issues.
• Support customer meetings, presentations, line reviews, and seasonal development as needed.
• Manage multiple styles, product categories, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Previous experience designing Men’s apparel across multiple product categories, preferably within private label or a large retail environment.
• Strong understanding of the Men’s apparel market, including current trends, fabrics, colors, silhouettes, construction, and commercially relevant product.
• Strong understanding of the apparel design and product development process from initial concept through final product.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Ability to create CADs, prints, graphics, colorways, and compelling presentation materials.
• Experience working with cross-functional and overseas teams throughout the product development process.
• Experience designing for major retailers or private label customers preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• Ability to understand customer needs and translate direction into commercial, trend-right Men’s product.

Compensation / Benefits

• The approximate hourly rate range for this position is $40.00–$55.00 per hour. The offered rate will vary based on the scope of the role, skill set, and years of experience.

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.