TITLE: Designer - Bridal/Special Occasion Dresses
Reports to: Design Director
Work Type: Hybrid role with some flexibility for WFH days as scheduling allows
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Creative Development
- Ability to contribute Creative & thoughtful Merchandised pieces that elevate the brand
- Make sure all concepts are in line with the brand
- Build in time for experimentation to bring fresh ideas to the table
- Make sure ideas are current/on point and right for each division
- Ensure we are addressing Sales feedback in development
- Pre plan fabric development assortment for each division
- Test fabrics – through draping & mock ups
- Inspiration/tears- that support & complement the fabric assortment for the season
- Manipulations – explore hand & drape of fabric with Manipulations to come up with fresh concepts
- Strong understanding of bridal fabric’s drape & characteristics
Drapes & mock up exploration
- Explore concepts/fabrications through draping & sewing
- This is required for every development style
- Clean, thoughtful drapes with focus on style line refinement, drape, layering & construction
- Mock ups will be reviewed with team and tired on for evaluation
- Document & make adjustments according to feedback
- Maintain clear record of process & testing
- Collaborate cross department on new ideas
Sketching
- Contribute preliminary and final sketches for assigned divisions
- Update all sketches as needed during development and insure sketch accurately depicts each design intent
- Exploring concepts through various forms of sketching & open creative process
Presentation
- Ensure all presentation boards are accurate, up-to-date and organized
- Assist in putting together presentation booklets for vendors/special accounts
- Help present ideas to internal team in a relatable and sales focused mindset
Meeting Preparation
- Ensure all materials are prepared in line with the meeting objectives
- Take notes at each meeting
- Ensure timeline is being followed
- Send out meeting notes within 24 hr of meeting
Line sheets & Working Boards (google sheets)
- Ensure the accuracy & communication
- Help set up seasonal linesheets/boards & make edits as needed
- Ensure most up-to-date line sheet is ready for all meetings including Monday TB
Fittings
- Attend fittings based for the product you are overseeing
- Provide design feedback on fit/drape and intent of design
- Provide drawn or photoshopped solutions to communicate the desired look
- Update sketches, line sheets & PLM with relevant updates that are generated from fittings.
Style Hand Offs
- Set up all new assigned styles in NGC
- Create general tab
- Set up initial BOM (working with fabric team to enter new components/colors)
- Upload sketch, design notes, inspiration images, and reference body images to style/DAM
- Prepare design style notes as needed
- Prepare diagrams & supporting imagery
- Prepare drape/sewing & layering tests
- Ensure all updates are maintained for assigned styles
Fabric Development- in alignment with fabric R&D
- Work alongside Design Director & fabric R&D to create custom artworks & embroideries
- Provide digital or hand drawn artworks to carry an idea threw to completion.
NGC
- Responsible for assigned style SHO and BOM uploads
- Maintain accurate and updated development status, sketches and BOM
- Ensure all applicable market colors are assigned to each style
Customization Chart
- Maintain season customization chart by division
- Ensure accurate information in maintained across all platforms/teams
- Send out seasonally to Production and Sales Teams
Embroidery/Print Layouts
- Collaborate with tech & production team to create layouts that meet our design needs.
- Create markers, patterns and diagrams to communicate placement with our tech team and overseas factories.
Planning
- Work to maintain & achieve companies T&A calendar
- Take big picture outlines and create individual deadlines
- Manage deadlines for Sketch Handoffs and company meetings.
Pricing
- Work with fabric R&D and Production team to run initial costings to ensure designs align with our goals
- Collaborate cross department to ensure designs stay within targets
- Required Skills
Qualifications
- 6 years’ experience
- An ideal candidate will have bridal and evening gown experience
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment
- Extremely organized and superior attention to detail
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication
- Strong understanding of bridal & gown construction
- Ability to sew & drape initial concept is very important to this role
- Prior experience with PLM software a plus
- Prior management experience
- Experience with gowns
- Deep understanding of dress construction
- Creative problem solver
Salary $100,000
