10-15 years of experience in knitwear design, particularly in women's luxury apparel.
BA/BS in Fashion Design with a focus on knitwear.
Strong knowledge of yarn qualities, gauges, and knitwear manufacturing processes.
Expertise in garment construction and fit execution.
Proficiency in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Established network in the knitwear industry across the US, Europe, and Far East.
Ability to speak additional languages preferred.
Responsibilities
Design knitwear from concept to development with a technical background.
Conduct seasonal research on textiles and silhouettes; participate in mood boards.
Partner on yarn selection and textile development for each season.
Present design sketches and swatches, ensuring alignment with retail target pricing.
Co-present collections to merchandising and product development teams, articulating concepts effectively.
Create first technical packages with sketches, diagrams, and colorways for all styles.
Attend development fittings to provide feedback and solutions based on fabric performance.
Benefits
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams.
Opportunity for international travel to yarn shows.
Role in setting design trends and innovations in the knitwear sector.
Full Job Description
The Senior Designer, Knitwear will combine an innovative approach to textile development, with a practical view of the end-products as usable garments. The designer will collaborate in the management of the design & development of the SJK collection knitwear, as well as the MFO knitwear. They will contribute and collaborate with the SVP of Design, as well as the Design Team, in creative concept and design of all knitwear categories. This will include collaborating on tear sheet research/ vintage research/ yarn selection/ textile development / illustration / technical sketching / artwork & layout development/ / tech pack creation, and teamwork with Product Development / Technical Design/ Woven Design & SVP all cross functional team members. This role reports into the SVP of Design.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Knitwear design from initial concept and development with a technical background
Research and identify moods/ textiles/ silhouettes, and participate in inspirational overviews for each season
Knitwear Research and Development - partner on seasonal yarn selection and development of textiles.
Research trends and present sketches and swatches in line with design brief, ensure all designs are within target retail prices and within sample budget count
Strong skills to co-present Design collection to Merchandising team, CMO and PD team. Strong ability to articulate concepts with or without swatches clearly to team partners
Create 1st Technical Packages for all knitwear styles with sketch, detailed diagrams and colorways
Attend all development fittings on knitwear styles and relay any fabric comments to factories. Also bring ideas and solutions to troubleshoot any issues presented in fittings
Collaborate with design team members of other categories of the brand for cohesiveness of products
Develop knitwear fabrics, color up prints, special trims, and styling details
Work to ensure deadlines are met to reach company goals and objectives
Collaborates cross departmental, Design & Manufacturing, to ensure knitwear design development is leading edge in the industry, aesthetically aligned with St. John design concepts, cost effective, and continually assessing and improving processes
Travel internationally to yarn shows as needed.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demonstrates high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers, and management.
Demonstrates high level of quality work, attendance, and appearance.
Adheres to all Company Policies & Procedures and Safety Regulations.
Adheres to local, state, and federal laws.
Additional responsibilities assigned by supervisor related to your position/department.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Interacts with all levels throughout organization including employees and outside vendors
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The following are the minimum qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.
COMPETENCIES:
Communication
Initiative
Leadership
Motivator
Associate Development
Business Acumen
Negotiating
Professionalism
Results Orientated
Solutions Orientated
Organization
Strategic Problem Solving
Teamwork
Time Management
Education/Experience:
10-15 years of experience in the apparel industry in knitwear design; women's luxury a high plus
BA/ BS college degree in Fashion Design specializing in knitwear design
Strong experience in yarn gauges, yarn qualities, machinery, and manufacturing of knitwear
Concrete knowledge of garment construction, fit and execution
Computer proficiency in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator
In professional experience traveled, sources & developed a network/contact base in the knitwear industry throughout the US, Europe, and the Far East
Ability to speak other languages, in addition to English preferred
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.
Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with employees and other customers
Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms
