Apparel Designer and Special Project Lead

Title:

Apparel Designer and Special Project Lead

Reports to:

VP of Product

Location:

Boulder, CO PAKA Overview

Founded in Peru, our mission is to create natural, all-purpose clothing for discovering the world. We’re doing this by innovating with alpaca fiber and other materials that are healthier for people and the planet, so that consumers can connect to our natural world, make more conscious choices, and support the communities where their products come from.

We are looking for a passionate and innovative Designer to join our product team. As PAKA’s Apparel Designer, you will have the unique opportunity to establish PAKA’s evolution as a leading brand in its own category. This role requires a creative powerhouse with a keen eye for detail, heightened taste level and the ability to manage a project from conception to consumer.

You will be responsible for infusing fresh ideas into our product line, ensuring they align with PAKA’s refined aesthetic and ethos. You will work closely with various teams, including Merchandising and Product Development to create high-quality, timeless, and well-crafted products that inspire our customers.

Your job is to design timeless apparel and special projects that establish PAKA as the world's leading natural fiber adventure apparel brand. Every product should enable our customer to travel lighter and move seamlessly from adventures to everyday life.

Note:

this role requires a strong development background and not only the ability to be creative. You will need to be able to see a product all the way from concept to production and everything in between.

• Partner with the Founder, VP Product, and external Lead Designer to translate creative vision into commercially successful products.
• Take strategic direction/concepts/product briefs and translate them into original design ideas, sketches, silhouettes, constructions, and product expressions that bring PAKA’s vision to life
• Generate multiple distinct concepts and design directions in response to a product brief, demonstrating creativity, range, and original thinking.
• Contribute original thinking, materials, details, and innovations that strengthen and elevate the product vision
• Champion a high standard of taste, ensuring every product reflects PAKA's evolving design language, premium positioning, and commitment to creating products customers are proud to own.
• Report on current trends and style moments for the team and overall company.

• Design commercially successful products across all categories (knitwear, wovens, outerwear, bottoms, AXS)
• Responsible from creating customer-centered designs starting with seasonal concepts and working through to commercial viability.
• Visualize line plans through sketches, concept boards, comp products, and prototypes. Own mock ups.
• Present concepts and designs to stakeholders and incorporate feedback.
• Ensure all products meet PAKA's aesthetic, performance, and quality standards.
• Responsible for PAKA Collaborations and Special Projects by working outside of the Seasonal Product Calendar and with close partnership of key cross-functional partners.

• Partner closely with Product Development to translate design intent into production-ready products.
• Create clear design packages, technical sketches, and supporting documentation.
• Attend fittings and collaborate on construction, fit, trims, and functionality with a problem solving attitude.
• Coordinate the Lap Dip Process and provide an Educated POV on coloring the seasonal line with a perspective of current and future trends and how it works with PAKA.
• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout development and commercialization.
• Work cross-functionally with Merchandising, Development, Materials, and Sourcing teams.

• Start with our customer - using a curious mindset, take consumer feedback and translate into product design.
• Research macro trends, consumer behavior, competitive brands, and emerging materials. With the objective to share findings internally.
• Generate a continuous…