Sr. Designer, Cut & Sew Innovation

ALICE + OLIVIA; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ALICE + OLIVIA seeks an Sr. Cut and Sew Innovation Designer to create original garments from concept to development in NYC.

You will focus on fabric, silhouette, fit, construction, and finishing details, collaborating with robotics/automation partners to pioneer production methods. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in apparel design, strong construction knowledge, and proficiency in Illustrator/Photoshop and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 7+ years of apparel design experience preferably in cut and sew.
• Interest in robotics, automation, or digital manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of cut and sew garment construction and fabrication.
• Experience creating sketches, tech packs, and design presentations.
• Understanding of patternmaking, grading, and fit corrections.
• Proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Design original cut and sew garments from concept through sample development.
• Collaborate with robotics and technology partners on innovative production methods.
• Evaluate construction, fit, and fabric performance against design intent.
• Research trends to support new product development.
• Create sketches, flats, fashion cards, and presentations as needed.
• Develop tech packs, construction details, and fabric specs.
• Partner with patternmakers, product development, production, and vendors.
• Attend fittings and provide feedback on fit and execution.
• Maintain line sheets and track samples through development.
• Ensure quality and brand aesthetic across all styles.

Skills

Fashion design

Garment construction

Team collaboration

Time management

Adaptability

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary The Sr. Cut and Sew Innovation Designer is responsible for creating original garments from concept through development, with a strong focus on fabric, silhouette, fit, construction, finishing details, and innovative production methods. This role works with Design and partners closely with our automation/robotics partners to develop unique products, ensuring each garment reflects the brand’s aesthetic, quality standards, technical requirements, and commercial needs.

Position Summary The Sr. Cut and Sew Innovation Designer is responsible for creating original garments from concept through development, with a strong focus on fabric, silhouette, fit, construction, finishing details, and innovative production methods. This role works with Design and partners closely with our automation/robotics partners to develop unique products, ensuring each garment reflects the brand’s aesthetic, quality standards, technical requirements, and commercial needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design original cut and sew garments from concept through sample development, ensuring alignment with seasonal direction and brand identity.
• Collaborate with robotics, automation, and technology partners to explore, develop, and produce cut and sew garments using innovative manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate robotic or automated garment-making outputs for quality, consistency, fit, construction, and alignment with approved design intent.
• Research market trends, fabrications, silhouettes, construction techniques, trims, and finishing details to support new product development.
• Create sketches, flats, fashion cards, and design presentations using hand sketching and digital tools as needed.
• Develop and communicate design intent through tech packs, construction details, measurements, trim direction, and fabric specifications.
• Partner with patternmakers, Technical Design, Product Development, Production, and vendors to execute garments from initial concept through final sample approval.
• Attend fittings and product reviews; provide feedback on fit, proportion, construction, fabric performance, and overall design execution.
• Monitor garment development against seasonal calendars and follow up on pending issues to keep deliverables on track.
• Maintain accurate line sheets, sample tracking, design updates, and style information throughout the development process.
• Ensure each style reflects the intended quality, fit, craftsmanship, and brand aesthetic across all details.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional partners, vendors, and factories to support timely and high-quality product execution.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of apparel design, garment construction, fit, fabrication, and the full development process for cut and sew product.

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field.
• 7+ years of apparel design experience, preferably within contemporary women's t-shirts, streetwear, activewear, or specialty apparel.
• Interest in or experience with robotics, automation, digital manufacturing, or emerging apparel production technology required.
• Strong knowledge of cut and sew garment construction, fabric hand feel, drape, fit, stitching, finishing, trims, and production considerations.
• Experience creating sketches, flats, tech packs, construction callouts, and design presentations.
• Understanding of patternmaking, grading, garment measurements, and fit corrections.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; Microsoft Office experience required.
• Ability to manage multiple styles, deadlines, seasons, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams, vendors, and factories.

$120,000 - $140,000 base salary (This range represents the anticipated base salary for this NYC-based position and will vary based on experience, qualifications, skills, and internal equity. This is a non-exempt position and may require overtime, which will be compensated in accordance with applicable law.)