Free People Senior Designer - Sweaters

About the role

Free People is seeking a Senior Sweaters Designer whose primary responsibility is to lead the development process of design projects supporting the Free People Collection Sweaters category. The Designer actively participates in designing seasonal collections, from initial concept research to knit stitch and pattern newness as well as execution on designs and presentations. Also, key in the role is to support the team to ensure that designs and resulting product are cohesive and on-trend for the Free People customer. The Free People Collection Sweaters category touches several aesthetics across our Femme, Craft, Sensual and Modern customer. This role requires relocation to Philadelphia and the ability to work on site at our world class headquarters 3-5 days per week.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Director on the design creation, development, and execution of own brand product across Free People Collection Sweaters with a strong focus on bringing in newness in shapes and strong fashion point of view
• Recognize and accurately forecast fashion and cultural trends and understand how they relate to the Free People customer
• Play a key role in collaborating, brainstorming, and presenting monthly trend direction for your category alongside the Design Director
• Support seasonal development calendar for both Retail & Wholesale deliveries
• Identify global emerging trends in concept/stitch/pattern and yarn
• Create and execute new layouts ideas for patterns, stitches and garment construction
• Manage development and execution of all design packages alongside Design Director and participate in all follow-up communication related to each package in partnership with the Design Coordinator, Product Development team and Technical Design teams
• Review samples for fit, and construction. Attend Fittings and clearly communicate to technical teams any adjustments. Send timely comments to the factory pertaining to any design related adjustments. Must be able to communicate stitch and construction ideas through written comments and technical sketches
• Demonstrate strong initiative and point of view on design research and staying up to date with industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations that can relate to the Free People target customer
• Sketch new ideas with the help of procreate and Adobe programs (Illustrator, Photoshop), researching new trends and ideas as well as utilizing ai platforms to increase creative research (such as Midjourney)
• Create and execute original knitwear ideas and designs, working with in house knitters and overseas to present your design's vision in key design meetings
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment, constantly pushing new ideas, concepts as well as responding to business objectives with creative and innovative designs to move the category forward

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design with related sweater knitting field experience strongly preferred
• 9+ Years experience in Sweater Design
• Deep knowledge and expertise in yarns and sweaters materials as well as great understanding of Sweater process development timeline and execution
• Full comprehension of fully fashioned sweater construction and fit
• Strong technical knowledge in sweater design and production process: yarn qualities and sizes, as well as knitting techniques, stitches and construction
• Expert knowledge of knitting and sweater garment construction, knit machines, yarns, 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
• Passion for Pattern and color, candidate must have the ability to translate and innovate new ways to express seasonal pattern direction
• Advanced understanding of yarn textiles, garment construction/fit or raw materials & product production (including sweaters yarns & knitting constructions and sweater fabrications)
• Creativity is a must — having a strength in pushing new ideas, silhouettes, and design concepts
• Demonstrate the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact to fashion sweaters, so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer
• Expertise in taking aspirational ideas, focusing on the key details and making them work for a broader audience and the Free People customer
• Ability to research and report on industry trend and yarn direction and knitwear innovations approximately 9-12 months ahead of season
• Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator. Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage the whole design process for multiple projects at different production stages
• Strong sense of organizational skills as well as passionate for a fast speed environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to respond to business objectives with creative, innovative, and cost-effective design solutions
• Great team player with excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with partners in Design, Buying, PD, and Production
• Excellent communication skills to communicate ideas and inspirations to others and to interact with Designers, Buyers and other Cross Functional partners. Collaboration across teams is key at Free People
• Some experience with managing 1-2 team members would be added value
• Proficient in Google platforms (Slides/Docs/Sheets/Gmail)
• Ability to work on site 3-5 days per week at our World Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Generous employee discounts
• Retirement savings plans