Free People Design Director Intimates

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the design creation, development, and execution of own brand product appropriate for Free People customer with a focus on bringing in newness, strong fashion and trend point of view with fashion forward shapes and innovation fabrics that is appropriate for the Intimately product range.
• Demonstrate strong initiative and point of view on design/trend research and staying up to date with industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations that can relate to the Free People target customer.
• Identify and translates global emerging trends across concept/fabrics/prints and unique details.
• Conceptualize and lead the development of original ideas as well as creates newness and presents Seasonal Fabric Trend presentations to inspire the team to present monthly designs in key design meetings.
• Provide Leadership in the design process & creation for all of Intimates, responsible for overseeing the entire design workflow, from conceptualization to production, ensuring each collection aligns with the brand identity as well as setting overall trend direction for each delivery.
• Identify areas of opportunities across Foundations and wider Intimates categories to constantly elevate and test new ideas and push the category forward.
• Partner closely with the Global Head of Design & Textile Teams to identify opportunities in sourcing and identify key fabrications seasonally.
• Develop seasonal product with a focus on style, fit and fabric, while identifying key trends in Bra’s & Undies to push newness to go after that will continue to help build the foundations business.
• Collaborate with Design team and cross functional leadership teams to ensure outstanding design execution while meeting business objectives.
• Partner with Executive Leadership on seasonal inspiration, concept direction and trend.
• Work closely with other category Design Directors to cross pollinate ideas, outfitting, assortment balance and maintain seasonal design direction.
• Inspire and guide direct reports as well as rest of design team on Intimates to develop innovative and cohesive collections, providing feedback, direction, and mentorship to foster their growth and creativity.

Role Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Contour or Intimates related focus of study strongly preferred
• 15+ years minimum Design experience with a focus in Bras/Innovation and/or Intimates Design strongly preferred
• Experience managing a minimum of 8+ team members strongly preferred
• Outstanding level of taste evidenced in professional design portfolio
• Demonstrated understanding of retail industry and ability to identify intimates product opportunities and offer innovative design solutions appropriate to the Free People customer
• Expertise in Intimates categories including Underwire/Foundation background: Deep knowledge and expertise in Intimates specific materials as well as great understanding of Foundation process development timeline and execution
• Full comprehension and understanding of underwire foundation construction, fit, materials and manufacturing processes
• Expertise in Research and Development with a clear understanding of future technologies and trends in Foundations and underwear
• Expert knowledge of bra garments construction, laces, trims and washes
• When needed be able to mock full garments from patterns, inspiration or draping on a form that can be modeled in presentations
• Pasion for prints and color, candidate must have the ability to translate and innovate new ways to express seasonal print & pattern direction that feels new and fresh to Intimates
• Expert-level technical knowledge of foundation construction (Underwire and soft bras, underwear)
• Extensive knowledge of intimates manufacturing techniques and processes
• Creative & Trend Vision: Creativity is a must! Having a strength in pushing new ideas, silhouettes, and design concepts. Exceptional knowledge of relevant culture, trends, and Intimates relative to the Free People Intimately customer
• Demonstrate the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact to fashion and most importantly to the Free People Brand (Understanding the translation to color, laces, prints embellishment & craft), so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer
• Ability to research and report on industry trend direction, color/print direction, and fabric innovations approximately 9-12 months ahead of season
• Ability and desire to take a hands-on approach : creating actual mocks/ sketches, creating physical trend and fabric boards and/or new embellishment techniques and details
• Expertise in taking aspirational ideas, focusing on the key details and making them work for a broader audience
• Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus!
• Mentoring & Team: Function as a leader, mentor and manager for the design team. Lead, inspire and guide the Intimates design team to do their best work yet. Inspire, mentor and provide guidance, feedback, and fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment within a team of creatives. Advocate for the team’s creative ideas and supporting them in understanding any new knowledge (i.e. fabric knowledge, silhouette challenges, color challenges, buzz words).
• Soft Skills: Ability to articulate ideas clearly and inspire. Strong sense of organizational skills as well as passionate of fast speed environment. Thrive in a fast-paced environment, passion for pushing new ideas, concepts as well as responding to business objectives with creative and innovative designs to move the category forward. Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and communicate ideas clearly and inspirations to others and to interact with Designers, Buyers and other Cross Functional partners.
• Proactive & collaborative attitude with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams is key at Free People