Men's Designer

QUETICO LIFESTYLE BRANDS LLC; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

QUETICO LIFESTYLE BRANDS LLC in Irvine, CA is seeking a talented Men’s Apparel Designer to lead seasonal collections. You will translate surf lifestyle trends into innovative products, develop CADs, color palettes, and tech packs, and collaborate across Merchandising, Product Development, and Production to deliver on time.

The role requires 3–5+ years of design experience, a strong portfolio, and proficiency with Illustrator/Photoshop.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 3–5+ years of professional apparel design experience.
• Strong portfolio showing seasonal collection development.
• Experience taking product from concept through production.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal men’s apparel collections aligned with brand direction.
• Research trends and translate insights into commercially viable products.
• Create mood boards, color palettes, and CADs to communicate concepts.
• Develop tech packs and coordinate with development teams.
• Collaborate with merchandising, product development, and vendors.
• Review samples and provide direction on fit and construction.

Skills

Apparel design

CAD/Illustration

Color theory

Trend research

Education

Bachelor’s in Fashion Design

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

PLM systems

Job description

• Location 36 Technology Dr. Suite 100,Irvine, CA, 92618,United States
• Base Pay $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 / Year
• Job Category Design
• Relocation Expense Covered No
• Employee Type FT Exempt

Description

Prominent Surf Brand Men’s Apparel Designer is responsible for the design and execution of seasonal men’s apparel collections. This role translates brand direction, market trends, consumer insights, and cultural influences into innovative, commercially relevant product that reflects the Prominent Surf Brands strong heritage.

The Designer owns the design process from initial concept through final product, including seasonal research, concept, color, fabric, trims, print, silhouettes, CADs, and technical packages. This role works closely with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and Graphics to ensure product is delivered on time, meets quality standards, and maintains the intended design aesthetic.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOB DUTIES

1. Seasonal Design & Concept Development

• Develop seasonal men’s apparel collections that are relevant to the target consumer and aligned with brand direction.
• Research and interpret fashion, surf, action sports, lifestyle, and cultural trends to identify new product opportunities.
• Create seasonal mood boards, concept presentations, color palettes, silhouette direction, and product stories.
• Develop original apparel designs across assigned categories, including knits, wovens, outerwear, bottoms, and other relevant product classifications as assigned by management.
• Create detailed CADs, sketches, colorways, and presentation materials to communicate design concepts.
• Build cohesive assortments that balance newness, commercial product, and brand-defining pieces.

2. Market & Competitive Research

• Shop the market regularly to understand emerging trends, competitive product, retail direction, fabrication, construction, and pricing.
• Conduct competitive analysis across surf, action sports, streetwear, contemporary, and lifestyle brands.
• Identify opportunities in silhouette, fabrication, color, graphics, trims, and product details.
• Translate relevant market and consumer insights into commercially viable product while maintaining a distinct brand point of view.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the target consumer, their lifestyle, and the cultural influences that shape their purchasing decisions.
• Research and select fabrics, washes, trims, labels, hardware, and other materials appropriate to each product.
• Develop seasonal color palettes and individual product colorways.
• Work with Product Development and vendors to develop new fabrics, washes, treatments, and construction techniques.
• Review and provide direction on lab dips, strike-offs, fabric submits, trims, and other development materials.
• Ensure fabrications, colors, and trims support the intended aesthetic, quality, functionality, and target price.

4. Product Development & Technical Execution

• Develop accurate techpacks, including CADs, construction details, colorways, artwork, materials, and labeling requirements.
• Create and maintain tech packs throughout the development process through TOP.
• Work closely with Product Development and Technical Design to translate creative concepts into production ready product.
• Participate in fit sessions and provide design direction on fit, proportion, construction, and overall appearance.
• Review prototypes and samples and provide clear, actionable comments through final approval.
• Ensure revisions maintain the original design intent while addressing fit, construction, quality, and production requirements.
• Partner with Product Development and Production to resolve product challenges throughout the development process.

5. Graphics & Brand Expression

• Collaborate with Graphic Design to develop graphics, prints, logos, embroidery, patches, embellishments, and other artwork for apparel.
• Provide creative direction for placement, scale, color, and application of graphics within the overall collection.
• Ensure graphics and branding support the seasonal story and remain consistent with the brand’s visual identity.
• Review artwork and production submissions to ensure final execution meets design intent.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Merchandising to understand seasonal business objectives, category strategy, consumer needs, pricing, and assortment direction.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Technical Design, Production, and vendors throughout the product development process.
• Communicate design intent clearly to internal teams and external manufacturing partners.
• Participate in seasonal line reviews, design presentations, fittings, and product approval meetings.
• Work collaboratively to resolve design, fit, fabrication, costing, and production issues while maintaining the integrity of the collection.
• Always resolve problems that effect team members as quickly as possible with clear communication

7. Calendar & Product Execution

• Manage assigned design responsibilities within the seasonal product development calendar.
• Deliver concepts, CADs, tech packs, samples, and approvals according to established deadlines.
• Review samples and development submissions in a timely manner to keep product moving through the development process, no longer than 48 hours.
• Ensure final product reflects approved design direction, quality expectations, and brand standards.
• Design with an understanding of target costs, retail pricing, and commercial viability.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or related field preferred.
• 3-5+ years of professional apparel design experience, preferably in men’s sportswear, surf, action sports, streetwear, or lifestyle apparel.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating apparel design, seasonal collection development, and a clear creative point of view.
• Experience taking product from initial concept through final production.

2. Design & Creative Skills

• Strong understanding of men’s apparel, garment construction, fit, proportion, fabrication, color, and styling.
• Strong ability to translate trends and cultural influences into relevant product.
• Strong understanding of surf, action sports, streetwear, and contemporary lifestyle markets.
• Ability to create cohesive seasonal stories and assortments across multiple product categories.
• Strong eye for detail with a balance of creativity and commercial awareness.

3. Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong CAD and technical drawing skills.
• Ability to create detailed and accurate tech packs.
• Working knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, trims, washes, printing, embroidery, and other apparel applications.
• Experience with PLM or other product development systems preferred.
• Familiarity with overseas factories and apparel production processes preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate creative concepts and technical information.
• Strong collaborative skills with Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, Production, Graphics, and vendors.
• Ability to receive feedback and make informed design decisions while maintaining the integrity of the product.

5. Organization & Execution

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple styles, categories, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects within a seasonal development calendar.
• Self-directed and proactive in identifying opportunities and resolving issues.
• Comfortable working in a high-volume environment with changing priorities.

6. Industry Knowledge

• Strong passion for men’s apparel, surf, action sports, and lifestyle culture.
• Deep understanding of current market trends, competitive product, and consumer behavior.
• Understanding of retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer apparel businesses.
• Knowledge of sustainable materials, innovative fabrications, and emerging apparel technologies is a plus.