Apparel Designer

Our client is a growing NYC based wholesale apparel company specializing in design, manufacturing, and distribution of Juniors, Missy, Men's, and Kids to various retail markets. They are seeking a talented and highly motivated full-time Denim Designer to lead the design and product development of Denim category.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in building and shaping the denim business for an iconic fashion brand.

This is a hands-on design role
. The ideal candidate combines strong creative instincts with a deep technical understanding of denim, washes, fit, construction, and product development. You should be equally comfortable researching trends, building a seasonal assortment, creating CADs and tech packs, reviewing samples, and working directly with overseas factories to bring product to life.

• Own the design direction and seasonal development of denim.
• Research emerging denim, fashion, wash, silhouette, color, and styling trends
• Translate trend and market research into commercially viable collections for specialty and dept stores.
• Develop seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, wash direction, and product assortments.
• Design across key denim categories including jeans, shorts, skirts, jackets, overalls, and sets.
• Create detailed CADs, technical sketches, initial tech packs, and construction specifications.
• Develop and maintain seasonal wash libraries, fabric direction, trims, hardware, branding, and finishing details.
• Work closely with production team and overseas factories throughout the development process.
• Review prototypes, wash panels, lab dips, strike-offs, and development samples and provide clear comments and corrections.
• Partner with technical design and production teams on fit, construction, quality, and execution.
• Collaborate with sales, merchandising, and licensor to ensure assortments are both brand-right and commercially relevant for key retail partners.
• Analyze competitive brands, retailers, and the broader denim market to identify opportunities and white space.
• Balance aspirational fashion direction with commercial price points and margin requirements.
• Manage multiple seasonal developments and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• 5+ years of denim design experience
  , preferably within juniors, young contemporary, or trend-driven women's apparel.
• Strong knowledge of denim fabric, washes, construction, fit, finishing, and garment development
  .
• Demonstrated ability to take a product from initial concept through production.
• Strong Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop skills.
• Experience creating detailed CADs and tech packs.
• Experience communicating directly with overseas factories and development teams.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. retail landscape and current denim market.
• Ability to identify trends early and translate them into wearable, commercially viable product.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work closely across design, sales, production, sourcing, and technical teams.
• Entrepreneurial mentality and excitement about helping build a growing licensed brand from the ground up.

You are not simply a CAD designer. You are a denim product person who understands what makes a great jean—from silhouette and proportion to fabric, wash, construction, hardware, fit, and finishing.

You have a strong fashion eye but understand that great design also needs to sell. You follow the market closely, understand what the customer is responding to, and can differentiate between a passing trend and a meaningful commercial opportunity.