Associate Designer – Dresses

Job Title:
Associate Designer – Dresses

Position Summary

The Associate Designer supports the creative development of the dress collection by assisting in concept creation, design execution, research, and product development. As part of a small, highly collaborative team, this role plays a key part in bringing the brand vision to life through sketching, fabric exploration, CAD development, and collection support. This is a newly created position designed to expand the creative capacity of the dress design team.

• Assist in developing seasonal concepts, themes, color palettes, and inspiration boards.
• Create detailed sketches and CADs for the dress collection under direction of the Head Designer and Designer.
• Participate in design reviews, contributing ideas and creative input aligned with the brand’s aesthetic.
• Support the development of new silhouettes, trims, prints, and artwork.

• Prepare and update design sketches, tech packs, and line sheets throughout the development process.
• Assist with sample reviews and fittings; take detailed notes and support follow-up on changes.
• Partner with Technical Design and Product Development to ensure design intent is executed accurately.
• Track samples, organize materials, and maintain season-over-season design archive and reference materials.

• Conduct ongoing research on emerging trends, competitive landscapes, fabric innovations, and market direction specific to the dress category.
• Present relevant findings to the team to inform design and seasonal strategy.

• Work closely with Head Designer and Designer to support cohesive and consistent collection development.
• Collaborate with Fabric, Merchandising, Product Development, and Technical Design throughout the seasonal workflow.
• Support communication with mills, vendors, and factories when needed.

• Maintain design boards, digital files, and seasonal sketches in an organized and accessible manner.
• Assist in preparing materials for internal milestone meetings (line reviews, concept presentations, fittings, etc.).
• Help establish processes and creative tools as the newly created role evolves.

• 1–3 years of experience in fashion design, ideally in dresses or women’s apparel.
• Strong sketching and CAD skills (Illustrator required; Photoshop preferred).
• Solid understanding of garment construction and fabrics; passion for dresses and creating beautiful product.
• Strong trend awareness, creativity, and visual storytelling ability.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple styles and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative mindset and high level of initiative in a small team environment.

Salary $75,000-$80,000