Apparel Designer - Girls

Position Summary:

The Apparel Designer – Girls is responsible for designing and developing trend-driven, age-appropriate apparel that aligns with Mad Engine’s creative vision, retailer requirements, and business goals. This role combines creativity, trend awareness, and knowledge of children’s apparel to develop commercially relevant collections. The Apparel Designer collaborates closely with Design, Technical Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and Production to ensure products meet aesthetic, fit, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop seasonal girls’ apparel collections from initial concept through production.
• Research and interpret children’s fashion, color, print, fabric, and silhouette trends to create fresh, age-appropriate designs.
• Develop mood boards, color palettes, sketches, and coordinated assortments that reflect brand direction and retailer needs.
• Create detailed technical flats, design specifications, and presentation materials using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Select fabrics, trims, embellishments, and finishes that balance style, comfort, durability, and target costs.
• Collaborate with graphic designers to incorporate prints, artwork, and licensed characters into cohesive apparel designs.
• Partner with Technical Design to review garment fit, proportion, construction, and functionality across assigned size ranges.
• Support Product Development in preparing and updating tech packs, including design details, fabric information, trim specifications, and bills of materials.
• Review samples, lab dips, strike-offs, and trims, providing clear feedback to maintain design intent and quality.
• Work with Product Development, Sourcing, and Production to resolve development challenges and meet seasonal deadlines.
• Consider applicable children’s apparel safety requirements when selecting design details, trims, and construction methods.
• Incorporate feedback from Sales, Merchandising, and buyers to refine styles and develop retailer-specific assortments.
• Participate in design reviews, fittings, and collection presentations.
• Maintain organized design files, sample records, and development documentation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3+ years of apparel design experience, preferably in girls’ or children’s apparel.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating girls’ apparel design, trend interpretation, and cohesive collection development.
• Understanding of children’s apparel fit, proportions, construction, and age-appropriate styling.
• Experience designing knits and wovens across categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, sets, and outerwear preferred.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, including technical flats and presentation boards.
• Knowledge of fabrics, trims, prints, embellishments, and garment development processes.
• Experience creating design specifications and collaborating on tech packs.
• Ability to translate trends into commercially relevant products that meet retailer needs and pricing objectives.
• Experience with licensed or graphic apparel preferred.
• Familiarity with mass-market, department store, specialty, or off-price retailers preferred.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment:

• Office setting with regular collaboration across Design, Technical Design, Product Development, Merchandising, and Production teams.
• Standard business hours, with flexibility during seasonal development, buyer presentations, and product review cycles.
• Hands-on role involving fabrics, trims, garment samples, fittings, and design reviews.