Free People Associate Designer Wovens

Free People is seeking an Associate Designer, who will play a key role in supporting the design process from initial concept through final production. This role will work closely with the Assistant Design Director and Design Manager to help bring our collections to life. It’s an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about fashion and eager to contribute to the ongoing development of Free People’s woven tops category.

The Associate Designer for Woven Tops will actively participate in the creation of seasonal collections, including sewing or mocking up original ideas for key design meetings. They will also assist the design team with various tasks throughout the development process.

The woven tops category at Free People includes a wide range of fabrications—from soft to structured wovens—and explores multiple aesthetics within our brand identity. A successful candidate will have a strong understanding of woven fabrications, including base materials and construction. Most importantly, they will be passionate about designing woven tops and bringing innovative ideas to the table. This includes pushing boundaries in silhouette, detail, print, and embellishment.

• The Associate Designer will contribute to the creation, development, and execution of own brand product appropriate for Free People. They will assist in creating product that represents the unique style of the Free People customer within our Collection woven tops range.
• Be able to recognize and accurately forecast fashion and cultural trends and understand how they relate to the Free People customer. As a Associate Designer, you will play a key role in collaborating, brainstorming, and presenting monthly trend direction and ideas for your category alongside the Assistant Design Director.
• Execute specific design development projects as assigned by the Assistant Design Director and Design manager
• Contribution to the design process including sketching new ideas with the help of procreate or/and Adobe Illustrator programs, researching new trends and ideas as well as utilizing ai platforms to increase creative research
• Own completing technical sketches for monthly design packages – as well as manage all sketch updates for all of your designs
• Supports with trim sourcing, BOM updates and helping the team as needed during the development process
• Manage development and execution of all design development packages and participate in all follow-up communication of all design packages related to each style in partnership with the Design Coordinator & Product Development team.
• Communicate fit and construction details to cross-functional partners by managing weekly fit notes recap. Help alert Design Coordinator & Product Development team of any major changes made during fit and facilitate follow up conversations when needed.
• Maintain an active role in the weekly Design Flow Meetings. Take notes and follow up on all outstanding issues upon aligning w/ manager.
• Participate in research and report on industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations that can relate to the Free People target customer.
• Execute original design ideas through draped & sewn mocks as well as hand sketches to communicate design’s vision for key meetings with the support of the Design Director alongside collaborating with the larger Collection Tops team.
• Help support seasonal development calendar for both Retail & Whls deliveries across wovens category.
• Bring creative contribution to the design process including sketching new ideas with the help of procreate and Adobe programs (Illustrator, Photoshop), researching new trends and ideas as well as utilizing ai platforms to increase creative research (such as MidJourney)
• Collaborate closely and proactively with wider design team to help prepare upcoming meetings to help achieve design deadlines.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment, constantly pushing new ideas, concepts as well as agility to respond to new business objectives and adapt accordingly.

• Creative & Trend Vision:
  • Creativity is a must! Strong sense and understanding of Fashion Trends and how it could translate to the Free People customer. Ability to identify new trends and how those can relate to dresses category.
  • Excellent technical, hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator
  • Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus!
• Fabric/Sewing knowledge:
  • Ability to drape, mock and sewing skills are a must.
  • Knowledge of garment construction is key!
• Soft Skills:
  • Strong sense of organizational skills as well as passionate of fast speed environment
  • Self-starter with the ability to function independently as well as in a team-based environment
  • Great attention to detail and understanding of sense of urgency and deadlines
  • Upbeat, positive attitude, great team player and ability to be flexible is key!
  • Proficient in Microsoft platforms (Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Outlook)
  • Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus! (MidJourney, PromeAi, etc.)

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design with related field experience

Location: In office Navy Yard- On-site/ 3-5 days a week Philadelphia, PA

Years of Experience: Between 3-6 year’s experience in women’s apparel

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.