Kids Fashion Apparel Senior Designer (w​/ License Experience

• Apparel manufacturer with US Sales and Design team based domestically and overseas
• Specialize in knit and woven apparel
• US Sales and Design team located in Minneapolis and LA
• US Design and Sourcing team based in China driving a fast fashion speed to market business model
• Design team specializes in trend, fabric, technical spec/fit, sketches, fit approvals, CADs, graphics, art separations and art strike offs.

Lead the product design by delivering ongoing Presentations, CAD & product development to meet internal and external needs. Work alongside domestic and international design partners to manage tight deadlines and art turnarounds.

• Passionate about the apparel industry & art
• Possesses a strong design aesthetic and eye for fashion
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines
• Knowledgeable in fashion and trend
• Proficient on Mac platforms
• Quick and eager to learn
• Driven to innovate and execute
• Self-motivated with a collaborative attitude
• Operates well within feedback culture and strives to develop in role
• Passionate about developing & driving product assortments that make sense and will sell thru to the customer

• Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Senior level knowledge of fabrics, washes/treatments and silhouettes

• Initially work alongside team to learn internal product design and development process.
• Task examples includes: trend research, silhouette development, realist sketches, color fill, layer fill, graphic placement, art boards.
• Work with Assistant Designer/Merchandiser to develop and design trend right and compelling product to fit the needs and white space opportunities of the retailers we serve
• Create Presentations Deck and partner with Assistant Designer on CAD sketches + color + art + print & pattern fills under tight deadlines.
• Work with assistant designer to execute art sheets on an as needed basis.
• Work across a variety of apparel categories to deliver upon retailer expectations.
• Assist Account Manager with follow up meeting/narrowed CAD decks, costing requests for retailers.
• Understand retailer private label brands and deliver aesthetic that fits within the brand DNA.
• Deliver work that fulfills retailer needs and white space opportunities.
• Provide trend direction
• Able to coach and develop other design team members on key skills, such as CAD development.
• Maintain flexible working hours that account for calls across various time zones.
• Learn the internal Tai product design and development process
• Fabric, Silhouette, Wash Techniques, Style #, Technical Design Process, Sampling Process, Sketching & Project Management Process
• Research and provide trend insight from the market to architect a product strategy/assortment.
• Identify key item/white space/emerging trends with regards to silhouettes, fabric, color, techniques and trims to ensure product is consistently relevant and evolving with the market through trend shopping, online research (WGSN), etc.
• Ability to translate pre-peak trends to mid-tier/mass retailers
• Constantly brainstorming newness, in partnership with design.
• Regularly pull art inspiration for graphic artists.
• Meet with Sales Team to strategize upcoming needs/meeting goals & approach.
• Develop product, in partnership with development designer based on market trends/retailer needs & white space.
• Comp Shop the market, online, Instagram, WGSN – finding inspiration everywhere
• Sample Handoff (ideal woven/dress experience)
• Co-create sample requests/needs/ideas for upcoming meetings, ensuring samples tie back to presentations.
• Partner with overseas designer and US development designers
• Thought leadership with regards to developing elevated product a retailer can afford given IMU goals.
• Identify fabric backups and cost options.
• Partner with technical designers on new silhouettes/technical packets for sample development and/or potential bulk buys.
• Develop CAD presentations for upcoming meetings.
• Create Presentations
• Trend Pages & Inspiration
• Silhouette, color/print and pattern/graphic direction
• Partner with Design Assistant to assign style numbers for all new silhouettes.
• Direct/guide Designers on filling CADs.
• Partner with Art Team to drive…