Position Summary:
The Senior Designer – Juniors, Missy, Plus Size & Outerwear is responsible for leading the creative design and development of trend-driven, commercially relevant apparel across these categories. This role combines strong trend research, category expertise, and an understanding of fit, proportion, and construction to create collections that align with Mad Engine’s creative vision, retailer requirements, and business goals. The Senior Designer collaborates closely with Technical Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sales, and Production to ensure collections meet aesthetic, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of seasonal apparel collections across Juniors, Missy, and Plus Size, including outerwear.
- Research and interpret fashion, consumer, color, fabric, and silhouette trends to develop relevant assortments for each customer segment.
- Create seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, fabric direction, and cohesive product assortments.
- Design styles that reflect the distinct fit, proportion, styling, and lifestyle needs of Juniors, Missy, and Plus Size customers.
- Develop outerwear styles with attention to layering, functionality, fabrication, lining, insulation, closures, and construction.
- Create detailed sketches, technical flats, and design specifications using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Partner with Technical Design to communicate design intent, evaluate fit and proportion, and refine garments across size ranges.
- Collaborate with Product Development and Sourcing to select fabrics, trims, washes, and finishes that support design direction, target costs, and production requirements.
- Review and provide feedback on prototypes, fit samples, lab dips, strike-offs, trims, and pre-production samples.
- Partner with Sales and Merchandising to develop retailer-specific assortments and respond to buyer feedback.
- Collaborate with graphic designers and licensing partners, where applicable, to integrate artwork and licensed elements into apparel.
- Manage multiple seasonal calendars and development deadlines from concept through production.
- Mentor junior designers and design assistants, providing creative direction and constructive feedback.
- Present collections, trend direction, and product concepts during internal reviews and buyer meetings.
- Maintain organized design files, development records, and sample references.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 6+ years of apparel design experience, including demonstrated experience in Juniors, Missy, Plus Size, and outerwear.
- Strong portfolio showcasing commercially successful apparel, category versatility, and seasonal collection development.
- Strong understanding of customer differences across Juniors, Missy, and Plus Size, including fit, proportion, silhouette, and styling.
- Experience developing outerwear, with knowledge of woven fabrics, linings, insulation, trims, and garment construction.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, including technical flats, presentation boards, and design specifications.
- Strong knowledge of fabric development, garment construction, washes, embellishments, and production processes.
- Experience collaborating with Technical Design on fit reviews and garment execution across multiple size ranges.
- Ability to translate trends into commercially relevant products that meet retailer pricing and margin objectives.
- Experience designing for mass-market, department store, specialty, or off-price retailers preferred.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with branded or licensed apparel preferred.
Work Environment:
- Office setting with regular collaboration across Design, Technical Design, Product Development, Merchandising, Sales, 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.
