Senior Designer – Denim

Jobtailor; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Free People is seeking a senior Denim Designer to translate trend research into original denim silhouettes for the Free People customer. You will create detailed sketches and tech packs using Illustrator and Procreate for monthly design packages, collaborating with the Design Director on monthly collections.

Candidates should have 9+ years in denim or woven apparel, expert garment construction knowledge, and strong leadership to mentor a design team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in apparel design preferred.
• 9+ years of experience in denim, woven or related category apparel design preferred.
• Creativity and strong fashion-trend understanding for Free People customer.
• Excellent technical hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Fabric and wash knowledge as it relates to denim.
• Ability to sew and pattern if needed.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction.
• Strong organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing individuals or a design team.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-based environment.
• Attention to detail and urgency regarding deadlines.
• Flexible and collaborative attitude.
• On-site work 3–5 days per week at the World Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA.

Responsibilities

• Develop original denim designs by researching fashion trends and translating them into designs for the Free People customer.
• Create detailed sketches and tech packs using Adobe Illustrator and Procreate for monthly design packages.
• Collaborate with the Design Director on monthly collections.
• Manage trim sourcing, BOM updates, and sample tracking.
• Apply knowledge of denim washes, treatments, details, and construction to create innovative silhouettes and styles.
• Coordinate with vendors and cross-functional teams for accurate and timely product execution.
• Manage design package execution for assigned styles with the Design Coordinator and Product Development team.
• Communicate fit, construction, and design changes to cross-functional partners.
• Manage weekly fit recaps and elevate key changes when needed.
• Prepare proactively for meetings, support deadlines, and contribute to creative excellence across the category.
• Respond thoughtfully to shifting priorities and business opportunities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Denim design

Adobe Illustrator

Procreate

Garment construction

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design

Tools

Photoshop

Job description

• Develop original denim designs by researching fashion trends and translating them into designs for the Free People customer.
• Create detailed sketches and tech packs using Adobe Illustrator and Procreate for monthly design packages.
• Collaborate with the Design Director on monthly collections.
• Manage trim sourcing, BOM updates, and sample tracking.
• Apply knowledge of denim washes, treatments, details, and construction to create innovative silhouettes and styles.
• Coordinate with vendors and cross-functional teams, including production, buying, and tech design, for accurate and timely product execution.
• Manage design package execution for assigned styles with the Design Coordinator and Product Development team.
• Communicate fit, construction, and design changes to cross-functional partners.
• Manage weekly fit recaps and elevate key changes when needed.
• Prepare proactively for meetings, support deadlines, and contribute to creative excellence across the category.
• Respond thoughtfully to shifting priorities and business opportunities in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Apparel Design preferred.
• 9+ Years of experience in Denim, Woven or related category apparel design preferred.
• Creativity and a strong understanding of fashion trends and their translation to the Free People customer.
• Excellent technical, hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Fabric and wash knowledge as it relates to denim.
• Ability to sew and pattern if needed.
• Strong knowledge of garment construction.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing individuals and/or a team of designers.
• Ability to function independently and in a team-based environment.
• Great attention to detail and sense of urgency regarding deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and maintain a positive, collaborative attitude.
• Ability to work on-site 3–5 days per week at the World Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in denim design, including trend research, technical sketching, and garment construction. Proficient in managing design processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution of fashion collections.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Denim Design
• Adobe Illustrator
• Procreate
• Garment Construction
• Team Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Technical Sketching
• CAD Skills
• Fabric Knowledge
• Wash Knowledge
• Pattern Making
• Sewing Skills

Soft Skills

• Creativity
• Organizational Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Collaboration
• Flexibility

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Apparel Design

Industry Keywords

• Fashion Trends
• Denim
• Woven Apparel
• BOM Updates
• Sample Tracking

Tools & Technologies

• Photoshop