APPAREL DESIGNER JOB DESCRIPTION

Seasonal collections in the outdoor performance category live or die on a designer's ability to translate rider- and athlete-specific demands into garments that hold up in alpine, trail, and mountain bike environments. That translation requires more than aesthetic instinct. Garment construction knowledge, fabrication expertise, and a working command of fit across technical and casual silhouettes for both women's and men's categories form the core of what this seat demands. The Apparel Designer owns the creative output from initial concept briefing through prototype sign-off, reporting into a Senior Design Manager or Head of R&D Apparel within a cross-functional product development structure. Sustainability commitments, including circularity targets tied to specific brand roadmaps, increasingly shape what gets approved and what gets cut.

As the Apparel Designer, you will lead the development of seasonal collections within the outdoor and performance sportswear segment, translating category briefs and trend intelligence into commercial, technically sound garments that meet fit, fabrication, and brand-standard requirements. You will sit within a design team that partners closely with product development, materials, and merchandising, with your output touching everything from early concept sketches to final proto approvals across men's and women's lines.

Career Impact: Mastery of technical performance construction, spanning alpine outerwear to trail and bike-specific apparel, carries significant market value and positions designers for Senior Designer or Design Lead roles within major outdoor brands.

Business Impact: The garments you develop directly determine whether seasonal collections land with outdoor athletes and specialty retail buyers, where construction credibility drives both initial sell-in and long-term brand trust.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to cross-functional collaboration with materials, sourcing, and product engineering teams broadens a designer's scope beyond aesthetics into full product creation, accelerating the path toward creative direction roles.

• Design original seasonal concepts across technical and casual garment categories, grounded in brand aesthetic and athlete-specific performance requirements.
• Develop detailed design briefs for fabric and material sourcing in partnership with materials and concept teams, aligned to seasonal pricing targets.
• Prepare accurate product CADs, tech pack components, and color presentations for internal reviews and global sales meetings.
• Participate in prototype fittings and review rounds, providing precise feedback on fit, construction, and fabric performance to development teams.
• Research outdoor market trends, competitor assortments, and emerging fabrication technologies to inform future collection direction.
• Partner with product developers and pattern makers throughout the development calendar to ensure garment functionality and brand-right execution.
• Contribute to seasonal color palette development, ensuring new colorways complement the core range with commercial longevity in mind.
• Present collection concepts and category narratives to cross-functional stakeholders, including merchandising, marketing, and external sales audiences.

• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Textile Engineering, Industrial Design, or equivalent work experience.
• 4 or more years of apparel design experience in performance or outdoor sportswear, with demonstrated strength in technical garment construction.
• Proven knowledge of fabrications, sewing construction methods, patterning principles, and fit standards across men's and women's categories.
• Strong ability to produce finished CAD illustrations, design boards, and presentation materials to a high standard of visual clarity.
• Solid understanding of design-to-cost principles and how sourcing constraints shape seasonal product decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to present confidently to both small and large internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple deliverables simultaneously within a structured seasonal calendar.

• Experience designing for a specific outdoor or athlete category, such as alpine mountaineering, trail running, or mountain biking.
• Working knowledge of 3D garment visualization software, enabling faster iteration during early concept and proto stages.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks and circularity standards relevant to performance apparel development.
• Prior experience communicating directly with overseas suppliers, factories, or materials vendors to align on development and approval timelines.

• On-time delivery rate of CAD and tech pack assets against seasonal calendar milestones.
• Proto approval rate per review round, reflecting construction and fit accuracy on first submission.
• Colorway acceptance rate by senior design leadership and global merchandising teams at line reviews.
• Number of collection presentations delivered to external sales audiences per season without revision requests.
• Fabric and material brief turnaround time from initial briefing to sourcing team handoff.
• Typical tools: vector illustration software (commonly Adobe Illustrator); presentation platforms (commonly Keynote or PowerPoint); 3D pattern software (commonly CLO).

• Base Salary Range: $70,000 to $105,000 annually, depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus, typically 5 to 10 percent of base salary
• Equity: Not standard at this level; offered at select publicly traded outdoor brands
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution standard
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus company holidays and seasonal shutdown periods
• Common Perks: Gear and apparel allowances, employee product discounts, subsidized travel for trade shows and fittings

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion is a condition of employment for this role, consistent with applicable law. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process should notify the recruiting team. Candidates must hold valid authorization to work in the United States.

The Apparel Designer shapes functional and sustainable outdoor product development for Fjällräven's alpine and mountaineering range, creating original designs and design briefs grounded in brand strategy, materials collaboration, and seasonal color work. Reporting to the Head of R&D Apparel and based in the Montebelluna satellite office, this role partners with product developers, pattern makers, and cross-functional teams in Solna to deliver garments that uphold Fjällräven's position as a premium, sustainable global outdoor brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Create original designs based on function, following and developing the aesthetic of the Fjällräven brand.
• Create design briefs based on brand strategy, market input, and internal stakeholders.
• Take part in defining fabric briefs for sourcing and development of fabrics with the material department and concept teams.
• Take part in creating seasonal colour palettes, ensuring new colours match and complement core colours with longevity.
• Hold presentations in front of both large and small audiences at design reviews, product development presentations, global sales meetings, as well as external events with customers and/or press.
• Attend trade shows and company events.
• Work closely with product developers and pattern makers to ensure product functionality, fabric performance, and fit.
• Create, update, and handle design documents in accordance with Fjällräven's templates and workflow.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Design, Apparel, Industrial, or Textile Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in Design or equivalent, with specialization in apparel geared towards alpine users.
• Proficient and knowledgeable in the outdoor market and products, with a passion for sustainability and the outdoors.
• Proven ability to create functional and commercial designs, with profound knowledge of garment construction, patterns, and textiles.
• Experience in CLO or other 3D patterning programs.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Keynote, and Excel.
• Strong presentation, communication, and team collaboration skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Willing to travel internationally for collaboration, fittings, and meetings.

Embedded within Salomon's apparel design function, the Apparel Designer executes seasonal design solutions across soft goods and apparel, producing tech packs, detailed drawings, and colourway presentations that support and evolve the Salomon design language. Working closely with the Apparel Senior Designer and Apparel Creative Director, this role guides junior designers on brand design identity while keeping pace with emerging consumer, material, and technology trends.

Core Functions

• Execute apparel design, working closely with Apparel Senior Designer and Apparel Creative Director promptly.
• Design highly desirable, disruptive, innovative, and functional apparel products.
• Create, adapt, and update documents used to communicate seasonal design solutions, such as design tech-packs, detailed drawings, and colourway presentations.
• Support and help evolve the current Salomon design language, in alignment with principles and style.
• Take feedback relating to style and function to refine the design accordingly to improve concepts and prototypes.
• Keep up to date with emerging design and consumer trends as well as general trends relating to soft goods, apparel, materials, and technology.
• Visit tradeshows, suppliers, and manufacturers.
• Explore, identify, and document key aesthetic and technical design elements that can be repeatable across multiple styles to ensure consistency.
• Apply understanding of design-to-cost concepts and consumer and sport practices.
• Guide the brand design identity and quality of product design to junior designers.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in design or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in relevant soft goods and apparel design.
• Knowledge of apparel and soft goods design, creation processes, product construction, patterning, and sewing.
• Experience in communicating with suppliers and factories.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office.
• Strong output orientation, creativity, and ability to lead and support change.
• Strong sense of customer service, teamwork, integrity, and professional commitment.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• International travel required.

Sitting at the intersection of technical performance and brand-right design, the Apparel Designer supports the European EMEA design team in executing the full design process from initial briefing through sketch, prototype review, and final sign-off. Operating across development, merchandise, materials, and design counterpart functions, this role sustains The North Face's sustainability commitments while delivering market-relevant products within cost and value expectations.

Duties

• Establish excellent collaboration within the EMEA Design Team to align design, aesthetics, and seasonal details.
• Work in close partnership with Development, Merchandise, Materials, and Design counterparts.
• Research technical performance apparel and stay current on outdoor styles, trends, fits, textiles, and new technology.
• Prepare all sketches for tech packs, color, and divisional digital presentations.
• Create brand-right, market-relevant products that meet expectations in terms of value and cost, with good knowledge of pricing and fit.
• Attend regular fitting and costing meetings, and work closely with seasonal calendar milestones and product timelines.
• Lead internal and external collection presentations.
• Support the sustainability and circularity vision anchored around The North Face 2025 Sustainability Commitments.
• Create technical CAD sketches, graphic artwork documents, and design boards, including all details, text, and color information.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Apparel Design.
• 4 to 6 years of experience in a performance apparel design role across men's and women's.
• Strong understanding of technical performance apparel, constructions, fabrications, and garment integration.
• Strong knowledge of 2D software, including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Fluent in English, written and spoken, with strong communication and presentation skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and high attention to detail.
• Adaptable, reliable, team-oriented, and able to take initiative.

A key member of the design and development team, the Apparel Designer leads seasonal, replenishment, and special event line development with a consumer-focused mindset, translating fan and market insights into products that balance league brand identity with Fanatics Brands' creative vision. Collaborating across Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development, this role builds products that reflect a thorough knowledge of trends, licensed properties, and commercial viability.

Functions

• Support and provide oversight of the design and development of seasonal, replenishment, and special event lines.
• Maintain a consumer-focused mindset with the ability to translate consumer needs into product design.
• Partner integrally with Merchandising, Sourcing, and Product Development teams to create a smooth transition between initial concepts and final products.
• Work closely with the development team to ensure design intent is carried through to the final product.
• Balance brand identity rules with creative opportunities to elevate league brands and Fanatics Brands through visual storytelling.
• Maintain strong knowledge of trends, consumer insights, new opportunities, and competition, and provide unique insight into market trends with a point of view on commercial viability.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Apparel Design, Graphic Design, Merchandising, or related field.
• 2 to 4 years of professional experience, or 4+ years without a degree.
• Strong knowledge of apparel design, fabrics, trims, garment styling, and construction techniques.
• Familiarity with U.S. Sports and licensed properties, with a passion for great product and design.
• Intermediate knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office and project management systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, results-focused, and highly detail-oriented.
• Able to create and execute in a deadline-oriented environment with strong organization skills.
• Professional, positive attitude with openness to new ideas.

A portfolio of previous work required.

Delivering cohesive seasonal collections depends on the Apparel Designer, who designs multiple garment categories - jackets, knits, wovens, and more - in direct response to the Creative Design Director's seasonal concept, building and updating tech packs and BOM documentation throughout. Based within a collaborative design and development environment, this role supports pre-production finalization, color card development, and lab dip and print submissions while contributing to cross-functional design meetings and reviews.

Accountabilities

• Design multiple categories based on the seasonal concept of the Creative Design Director.
• Input, build, and create the design portion of tech packs, and update changes in BOM and tech packs.
• Actively participate in the conceptual development of seasonal assortment and design meetings and reviews.
• Conduct market trend research for ongoing development and assist in color card development.
• Prepare and submit pre-approval lab dips and print development.
• Assist in preparing and researching seasonal trim and fabric research decks, and organize fabrics, trims, materials, and lab dips.
• Support design and development to finalize tech packs during the pre-production stage, and assist with flat CAD sketches and POM.

Technical Qualifications

• Minimum college degree in fashion design.
• Minimum 5 years of design experience in women's and men's apparel.
• Understanding of design, drape, fit, hand sketching of designs, and flats.
• Strong computer skills in Illustrator and Excel.
• Excellent team player with the ability to take direction and work independently.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative.
• Strong planning, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

As the Apparel Designer, this role designs all apparel classifications - jackets, skirts, pants, knits, and sweaters, across multiple brands within the Apparel Merchandising division, managing PLM system entries, seasonal line sheets, and sample approvals from development through final sign-off. The Global Merchandising team relies on this work to maintain accurate product lines, meet brand calendar milestones, and deliver competitive multi-market assortments informed by international trend research and trade show intelligence.

Activities

• Maintain awareness of seasonal trends through market shopping, trend research, and competition, including international travel to gain knowledge of multi-market product assortments.
• Create presentation materials for global trend, global color, and must-have product categories, and prepare materials for line reviews and buyer meetings.
• Develop seasonal color palettes by maintaining awareness of market color direction and internal brand color selling history.
• Research trade shows and trend services to identify fabrics for the season and work with sourcing to meet specific pricing needs of each brand.
• Select each style's fabric, trims, materials, and colors to fit assortment and style plans, and work with the team to develop and maintain the internal material library.
• Design all classifications, including jackets, skirts, pants, knits, and sweaters for specified brands within the Apparel Merchandising division.
• Create flat mechanical sketches for design development packages and manage all components in the PLM system through final approval.
• Manage and maintain seasonal line sheets in the PLM system to ensure accuracy for product line selection.
• Review and approve proto samples, fabric samples, lab dips, and other development materials, collaborating with internal teams to provide clear direction.
• Adhere to seasonal time and action calendars, working collaboratively with sourcing, buyers, and technical design to resolve calendar issues.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in apparel design or equivalent.
• 5 to 7 years of experience designing contemporary women's apparel in a wholesale or retail design environment.
• Understanding of garment construction and pattern-making process.
• Sketching ability in both color and design.
• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop.
• Ability to create effective board presentations and render original design concepts.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills, including the ability to present to large audiences.
• Ability to achieve due dates per brand calendar.
• Adapt to rapid change environments.

Lead Apparel Designer manages a creative team responsible for outerwear and technical design at REI, delivering seasonal design direction, performance reviews, and talent development in service of compelling, brand-consistent products. Success in the position means aligning design leadership with the Creative Director and DVP to advance REI's design languages and signature elements while building a culture of accountability, cohesion, and excellence across the team.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of creativity, design excellence, accountability, and results, and provide coaching, direction, and leadership support to employees.
• Conduct and ensure the completion of performance reviews, and attract, recruit, retain, and develop appropriate talent.
• Provide creative leadership, inspiration, and motivation to team members to excel in creating compelling products.
• Lead the creation and delivery of seasonal design direction, and ensure consistent execution and oversight of outerwear and technical design.
• Support the creation and implementation of design languages and signature elements for REI products.
• Work with Creative Director, DVP, and senior leadership to align design directions and collaborate with other design team members to support brand goals.
• Promote design excellence, team cohesion, and accountability, and support the development and monitoring of expense budget and goals.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in apparel product creation and leadership roles.
• Extensive design experience within the outerwear category, with strong knowledge of outerwear apparel design and product development processes, including manufacturing.
• Ability to craft and apply vision, design themes, future consumer product needs, and relevant design trends.
• Strong team and people leadership skills, with the ability to establish environments of creativity, teamwork, motivation, and accountability.
• Effective presentation creation, delivery, and communication skills.
• Intelligent decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners, build individual and team capacity, and champion solutions in the company's best interest.
• Domestic and international travel required.

The Associate Apparel Designer develops and refines apparel across men's, juniors, plus size, and denim categories, producing sketches, spec sheets, tech pack components, and line sheets in close coordination with buying, product development, art, and technical design teams. Reporting within a corporate design team, this role advances seasonal concepts from trend research and mood board development through fitting reviews and final design approvals, ensuring quality and brand integrity at each stage.

Operational Focus

• Help the design team create sketches and specs for tech packs, prepare spec sheets with detailed technical information, maintain design records, and create line sheets for cross-functional teams.
• Conceptualize, develop, and create apparel for men's, juniors', plus-size, and denim categories.
• Develop and assist the team with presenting trend and mood boards, and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve alignment on projects.
• Research and shop the market for trends and inspiration, identifying new trends in fabric, trim, fit, hardware, and other raw materials.
• Work closely with buying, product development, art, and technical design teams throughout the development process to ensure quality and integrity.
• Assist the design team in reviewing and approving design, lab dips, trim, and fabric details, and participate in fittings to ensure proper fit and brand integrity.
• Participate in the conceptual development of product lines, providing recommendations on seasonal themes, line edits, and new concepts.

Professional Experience

• College degree in design or related field required.
• 3+ years of design experience, preferably in a corporate or team environment across licensing, fashion, junior, and men's categories.
• Basic technical knowledge of fabric construction, finishes, sewing techniques, graphics, and trim.
• Knowledge of pop culture and licensing.
• Must have flat CAD sketching skills.
• Strong computer skills on Mac, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Team player, highly organized, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, the Apparel Designer leads the women's golf category design process from inspiration through tech pack handoff, producing CAD drawings, print artwork, color applications, and completed tech packs as key deliverables. Partnering with the Design Director and Product Marketing team, this role shapes the category offering by interpreting market and trend conditions specific to golf and presenting cohesive design concepts to cross-functional audiences.

Primary Duties

• Lead the women's category design process from inspiration to finalized tech pack handoff, with potential to work cross-category as needed.
• Provide all finished design materials for presentations and collateral, including Illustrator CAD drawings, print artwork files, color application, and completed tech packs with material and trim call-outs.
• Assist with inspirational imagery that meets global product brief requirements and is in line with the seasonal design strategy.
• Participate in live fittings and reviews for each proto round.
• Partner closely with Senior Design Manager, Design Director, and Product Marketing team to help shape the category offering.
• Confidently present category ideas to design, marketing, and other internal groups with a cohesive design approach.
• Communicate with clarity to all cross-functional teams to maintain close working relationships and follow the seasonal calendar and process.
• Study and interpret market conditions and trends from a design perspective related to golf, sharing insights with leadership, marketing, and development teams.
• Actively research trade publications, trade fairs, online design tools, sports events, and market visits to inspire future thinking.

Skills & Qualifications

• Fashion Design degree with relevant work experience in the branded performance apparel industry.
• In-depth knowledge of apparel design, color theory, materials, and construction.
• Mid-level understanding of technology and performance function.
• Familiarity with the golf industry or an interest in the sport of golf.
• Proficient in Adobe CC suite, especially Adobe Illustrator.
• Familiar with Microsoft Suite, including Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Graphic design, textile print, and 3D design experience a plus.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to present to groups and solve practical problems with limited standardization.

Embedded within Rapha's Atelier and cross-functional product teams, the Apparel Designer / Senior Designer produces innovative, fully resolved mountain bike category products by developing accurate CADs, fit decisions, and seasonal color and storytelling collections across the full MTB range. Working closely with Product Engineering, Materials, and Sourcing teams, this role advances the brand's position at the forefront of performance mountain biking through insight-driven design, first-hand product testing, and downstream collaboration with Development.

Key Deliverables

• Create innovative, highly resolved products across a full mountain bike category collection that keeps Rapha at the forefront of the industry.
• Build insights into future-thinking, compelling products that inspire the global community.
• Work closely with the Atelier team to find creative solutions to riding-specific problems, and collaborate with Product Engineering, Materials, and Sourcing teams to deliver seasonal projects on time and within budget.
• Create accurate product CADs and detailed information across fit, fabric, and features for all products, and contribute to seasonal color build and storytelling collections.
• Drive and execute consistency and commerciality of fit, and discover and present compelling narratives for multiple collections, including market research, customer insights, and problem-solving.
• Back up design decisions with proven insights, keeping commercial targets in mind, and ensure time is well allocated across all ranges in line with business goals.
• Test products first-hand and incorporate feedback from conditions and competitors into design decisions.
• Support and collaborate with downstream teams, such as Development, to ensure products have the best possible success.

Education & Experience

• Approximately 8 to 10 years of experience in the performance outdoor industry with leading experience in mountain biking.
• Exceptional organization and communication skills, calm under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Deep passion, understanding, and knowledge of the competitive mountain biking landscape and where value lies for the customer.
• Ability to balance commercial imperatives with the drive to push design boundaries.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and take constructive criticism.
• Demonstrate flexibility and enthusiasm.
• Empathetic and collaborative approach to teamwork, sharing knowledge and skills to strengthen the team.