Designer

Summary:The Swimwear Designer is involved in the entire product design process including market research, inspiration board development, and presentation, design, flat sketching, creating mock-ups, specing, sourcing, and fitting. The Swimwear Designer is responsible for managing design projects independently, as well as collaboratively, with the VP of Design, Merchandiser, and the Company Principal.Position Responsibilities and Accountabilities:Receive information and merchandise plan about delivery from the VP of DesignAttend trade fairs, and shop the market for ideas.Ability to follow and understand the merchandise plan and collect trend information, fabric, print, color, and trims to put initial concept boards togetherPresent concept boards to the team: VP of Design, VP of Sales, Company Principal, and in case of licensed brands to their teamsUpon approval of initial concepts, the ability to take direction from the meeting and create specific boards for requested deliveries that fulfill the merchandise plan and capture the target customer and price pointsDo trim mock-ups before finalizing conceptsCAD and/or hand-color sketches for initial board presentationsPartner with assistants who are assigned to help with any given projectPartner with sourcing all fabric, trims, and any other components needed for delivery from reliable vendors in the appropriate part of the world for the correct pricing and minimums,After initial sign-off of delivery, work with sourcing to procure all necessary items for initial samples and duplicates with documented purchase orders.Flat sketch CAD adopted styles in the Illustrator programMockup preliminary line sheets for meetingsSet up body, fabric, and trim boards to help Sales edit and Product Managers keep track of fabrics, colors, prints, and trimsWork with the Art Department to initiate all print componentsBe responsible for having the garment made promptly and approved or corrected on the modelWork with the Graded patterns to develop markers for engineered designsKeep all sketchbooks and digital archives organizedProvide style tracking chart and spec pack for patternmakers.Schedule and attend fittings with the VP of design, principal, or product manager.Style first protos and have new styles approved before proceeding to the final fitMake fit comments on all corrections and communicate to the overseas office with product managersTrack the progress of samples with product managers and present fit-corrected garments at proto-fit meetings.Communicate all design revisions to the team.Digitally photograph and catalog style changes approved deliveries, and special make-ups as directedReview top-of-production with Product Managers and Patternmakers for any errorsMaintain a library of fabrics, trims, artwork, and garments for future referenceQualifications and Competencies:College Graduate, Fashion Design major a mustStrong sense of style with the ability to transform abstract ideas into commercially viable garments and meaningful collections following timeline calendarsMust be computer literate in Word and Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Indesign a plusMust be able to illustrate fashion figures and flat sketchStrong sewing and pattern-making background a plusStrong work ethicDetail-oriented ability to easily switch gears and take directionStrong organizational, communication, and follow-up skillsTeam player and self-starterSense of urgency and intuitive sense of prioritiesEducation and Experience:3-5 years of Design experience in swimwear or intimates.Bachelor's Degree, Fashion Design Major.