Design Associate, Accessories

About the role

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Design Associate, Woven and Shoes to join our menswear fashion design team. The individual will possess specialized knowledge in men’s fashion, design, merchandising, and technical design, helping to realize the design team’s concepts and create new designs, fabrications, and colors for each season’s collections.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market research to identify key silhouettes, fabrics, colors, and seasonal initiatives relative to our customers.
• Adhere to seasonal time and action calendars.
• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional partners to provide resolution where possible and elevate any issues.
• Approve lab dips and other development items.
• Provide feedback and clear direction to the fabric and trim department to execute accurately.
• Define product details (materials, trims, and details) that align with the design roadmap.
• Collaborate with product development, fabric and trim, technical design, production, and buying teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Create, submit, and update tech packs.
• Assist the Design Director in seasonal brand development, presentations, and tracking adjustments.
• Maintain the sketch library, adding or adjusting as needed.
• Coordinate seasonal sample requests with the product development team.
• Prepare and edit swatch boards and other presentation materials.
• Create and maintain seasonal books with brand‑specific lab dips and developments.
• Prepare swatches for buyers and update seasonal digital decks.
• Input information into PLM where necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, fashion merchandising/marketing, or a related design field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of design experience.
• Specialized knowledge in men’s fashion, merchandising, and technical design.
• Experience in garment construction, trims, fabrics, performance features, finish, and fit.
• Ability to work at least 40 hours per week from the New York office, with long hours as necessary to meet design and product development cycles.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.
• Organizational skills to handle multiple tasks accurately and meet deadlines.
• Creative abilities and fashion awareness; analytical and strategic thinking.
• Technical sketching ability (flat and illustration).
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Excel, and PLM systems.
• Ability to adjust priorities, follow through, and demonstrate a sense of urgency.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health savings accounts and wellbeing program.
• Life and disability insurance, accidental insurance, and legal services.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Commuter benefits.
• Bereavement leave, paid holidays, floating holidays, vacation pay, sick leave, and adoption assistance.
• Employee discounts.
• Work‑life resources such as Zoom‑Free Fridays, Summer Fridays (Memorial Day to Labor Day), and Holiday Early Departure.

Work Environment

• Ability to sit and work at a computer keyboard for extended periods.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, bend at the waist, and reach daily.
• Occasional lifting and moving of up to 25 pounds.
• Use of visual acuity, speech, hearing, hand‑eye coordination, and manual dexterity to operate computer and office equipment.

Schedule

Regular schedule of 40 hours per week, with the expectation of additional hours as necessary to meet design and product development cycles.

Pay

The starting rate for this position is $76,398 – $101,847 and may increase to $127,296 depending on merit, length of service, and other factors. Base pay is based on market location and may be subject to prevailing wage laws.