Lead Designer

Böhme is a fast-growing, fashion-forward women’s apparel brand with a strong retail footprint and expanding eCommerce business. Built by founders with a strong point of view and deep customer connection, the brand has historically partnered with overseas vendors to bring product to life.

We are seeking a Lead Designer to become Böhme’s first internal design hire, owning the creative vision and product direction end-to-end. This role will partner closely with the founders and collaborate with overseas manufacturing partners (primarily in China) to elevate product, refine brand identity, and build a more intentional, design-led assortment.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly entrepreneurial environment and build the design function from the ground up.

Creative Direction & Product Design

Own and define the overall design vision across select product categories

Translate founder vision and brand DNA into cohesive seasonal assortments

Lead concept development, trend research, color palettes, fabric direction, and

Elevate product to feel more differentiated, elevated, and brand-right

Partnership with Founders

Work closely with founder to align on creative direction and assortment strategy

Act as a thought partner in evolving the brand aesthetic and positioning

Bring new ideas while maintaining the core identity that resonates with the

customer

Partner directly with overseas factories and development teams to execute

product

Provide clear direction on design intent, materials, construction, and fit

Review samples, iterate on revisions, and ensure final product meets brand

standards

Balance design vision with cost targets, MOQs, and production realities

Product Development & Execution

Oversee the design process from concept through final approval

Collaborate with production and merchandising on timelines and delivery

Ensure alignment between design, costing, and margin targets

Manage seasonal calendars and sample timelines

Building the Design Function

Establish design processes, tools, and workflows from the ground up

Help define how design integrates with merchandising, production, and sourcing

Over time, build and mentor a small internal design team as the business grows

7–12+ years of experience in women’s apparel design

Background in contemporary, DTC, or retail-driven brands with strong product identity

Experience working with overseas factories (China preferred) and managing development remotely

Strong understanding of construction, fabrics, fit, and production processes

Ability to balance creativity with commerciality (designing for a real customer + price point)

Experience owning or heavily influencing an entire category or brand aesthetic

Entrepreneurial and excited to be the first design hire

Strong taste level with the ability to elevate product while staying commercially viable

Comfortable working directly with founder in a highly collaborative environment

Hands-on and detail-oriented—willing to own everything from concept to sample approvals

Strong communicator with overseas partners and internal stakeholders

Organized and process-driven, but flexible in a fast-moving environment

Opportunity to own and shape the design function at a growing brand

Direct access to founders and influence on overall product direction

High visibility, high impact role with room to build a team

Blend of creative ownership + operational execution