Sr. Designer, Knitwear

Tapestry (Coach/Kate Spade); New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Coach seeks a Senior Designer for Knitwear RTW in New York. You will initiate concepts each season, driving fashion-forward knit designs and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align with the Coach aesthetic.

You will lead research, mentor junior designers, and ensure timely development from concept through commercialization while upholding brand integrity and market relevance.

Qualifications

• Strong fashion sense and ability to interpret trends.
• Knowledge in knitwear design and yarn technology.
• Excellent hand sketching skills; renderings on figure drawings.
• CAD technical drawings and image manipulation skills.
• Experience developing products directly with factories; knitwear development from concept to commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Senior Director to refine knit designs from idea to show sample across Women's and Men's Collections and Multi channels.
• Lead knitwear design research from concept to market; develop stitch and garment concepts.
• Create mock-ups for stylist meetings in 3D and rendered formats.
• Collaborate with vendors to drive innovative fabric development.
• Mentor and manage junior designers to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Ensure brand integrity and alignment with seasonal direction and business needs.

Skills

Strong fashion sense

Knitwear design

Yarn technology

Hand sketching

CAD technical drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Design or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office

CAD

Job description

Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of our hometown, we make beautiful things, crafted to last-for you to be yourself in.

Coach is part of the Tapestry portfolio - a global house of brands committed to stretching what's possible.

A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Senior Designer , KNITWEAR RTW / New York, NY

Primary Purpose:

The Senior Designer will work with the Senior Director, Design - RTW to initiate concepts each season that are fashion driven, reflective of the creative vision and Coach aesthetic. You will be a part of a dynamic, creative environment where you will collaborate with talented designers and cross-functional partners in the business.

Creative Development

• Partner with the Senior Director to refine knit designs from initial idea to show sample across Women's and Men's Collection and Multi channels.
• Lead design research for knitwear from initial concept stage.
• Research and develop stitch and garment concepts for both seasonal collections and special projects.
• Conduct seasonal research-visual, vintage, and trend-based-to inspire and inform design direction.
• Create mock-ups for stylist meetings, both in 3D and digitally rendered formats.
• Research seasonal yarns and collaborate with knitwear vendors to drive innovative fabric development.
• Create a knitwear assortment across collection and multi-channel, leveraging shared design concepts and materials for greater cohesion.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and manage junior designers, providing guidance, feedback, and clear delegation.
• Oversee team output and ensure deadlines and business objectives are met through collaborative leadership.

Brand Consistency

• Ensure product is created that protects brand integrity.
• Ongoing research to develop and pitch new branding concepts.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with the design team on concept boards, concept styling and seasonal color direction.
• Work closely with design, merchandising, product development and technical design teams to align creative vision with business objectives and deliver cohesive, market-right product.
• Partner with merchandising to analyze market trends and align designs with business needs.
• Engage cross-functionally with Merchandising, Concept, Print, and Product Development teams; actively participate in category meetings.
• Present design work to internal partners, maintaining strong relationships throughout the process.

Strategic Thinking & Execution

• Solve design challenges with a balance of creativity and product knowledge; confidently push back on ideas that don't align with brand right decisions.
• Ensure timeline adherence to calendar by completing design cards accurately and delivering to development on schedule.
• Manage development to ensure all samples are received for product presentations.
• Uphold design integrity, quality, and timeliness throughout the entire development cycle-from concept through commercialization.

This role calls for a visionary designer with technical mastery, an eye for detail, and the leadership to bring bold ideas to life.

The accomplished individual will possess...

• Must possess a strong fashion sense and have the ability to interpret trends
• Must have knowledge in knitwear design and yarn technology
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse group at all levels
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-up
• Must be flexible and adapt easily to change
• Passion for RTW and a thirst for knowledge

An outstanding professional will have...

• Minimum 7 years' design experience, preferably in knitwear
• Bachelor's Degree in Design or related field
• Excellent hand sketching skills; ability to create both freeform garment renderings and renderings on figure drawings
• Ability to CAD technical drawings and strength in image manipulation
• Experience developing product directly with factories; understanding of knitwear development from concept through commercialization
• Understanding of materials, and garment construction & performance (i.e. strong knowledge of fabric, material quality, and how it will perform as a garment)
• Understanding of garment fit & and ability to independently conduct fittings on a model
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Microsoft Office

Our Competencies for All Employees

Courage : Doesn't hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others; l