Lead Designer

New York, New York
IDj-7030
Job TypeDirect Hire
Remote TypeOn-Site
Compensation$150000 - $180000 / yr

Lead Women's Contemporary Designer

Occasion & Lifestyle Collection

About the Brand

We are an established women's contemporary fashion brand known for refined occasionwear, modern femininity, and elevated design. With a strong presence at leading retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, along with a growing direct-to-consumer platform, the brand continues to expand its reach and evolve into a full lifestyle destination.

The Role

We are seeking a visionary and detail-oriented Lead Designer to help define the next chapter of our brand. This individual will bring a distinctive creative perspective, strong market awareness, and the ability to translate inspiration into commercially successful collections.

The ideal candidate has a sophisticated understanding of women's contemporary fashion, with a passion for luxurious fabrics, thoughtful prints, impactful color palettes, and flattering silhouettes. Experience designing elevated occasionwear and lifestyle collections is highly valued.

Responsibilities

  • Establish and execute seasonal creative direction in alignment with the brand's vision and growth strategy.
  • Develop compelling collections across dresses, separates, and expanding lifestyle categories.
  • Create cohesive seasonal concepts through color, print, material, and silhouette development.
  • Identify emerging trends, customer preferences, and market opportunities to influence product direction.
  • Balance creativity and commercial strategy to deliver products that resonate with the target customer.
  • Collaborate with merchandising, product development, sales, and other internal partners from concept through final product.
  • Present seasonal concepts, design ideas, and collection strategies to leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Support and mentor design team members while fostering a collaborative and inspiring creative environment.
  • Introduce innovative ideas that strengthen brand identity and support future business growth.

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience designing women's apparel within a contemporary, premium, or luxury fashion environment.
  • Strong expertise in occasionwear, special event dressing, or elevated women's categories preferred.
  • Exceptional eye for color, print, fabrication, proportion, and overall aesthetic direction.
  • Advanced understanding of fashion trends, customer behavior, and market positioning.
  • Strong illustration, sketching, storytelling, and presentation abilities.
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to combine creative vision with business objectives.
  • Highly collaborative, organized, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The Opportunity

This role offers the chance to directly influence the evolution of a recognized women's fashion brand and help shape a growing lifestyle collection through innovative design, strong creative leadership, and a clear point of view.

Drag & Drop Resume

(PNG, JPEG, PDF, DOC, TXT)

Message & data rates may apply to all numbers allowed to receive messages

Message frequency varies. Text STOP to opt-out or HELP for assistance