Apparel Design Director

imogene + willie•Nashville, TN

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an Apparel Design Director to join our team. This person should be a dynamic creative who loves to collaborate and has a passion for vintage apparel. We are looking for a candidate who will continue to build on the strong foundation established over 15 years, someone who will propel us forward with inspiring ideas and a unique perspective. The candidate should have a deep understanding of denim, should have a keen eye for detail and a passion for translating concepts into compelling garments. This person should develop an intrinsic understanding of the imogene and willie aesthetic and will provide creative leadership with regard to design perspective, aesthetic and quality on par with brand and industry standards. This person will lead design decisions across all apparel categories, inclusive of denim and accessories for both men’s and women’s products. This role reports to the Director of Design and Development and will work closely with our Founding Partner group as well as our development team, pattern maker, production team, and sewing facility in Los Angeles. We are open to this role being based in Nashville, Los Angeles, or New York City. In addition to our Nashville headquarters, Imogene + Willie maintains a growing presence in Los Angeles and plans to establish a New York City presence in early 2027. While much of the brand’s creative and cultural heartbeat lives in Nashville, candidates based in Los Angeles or New York should expect frequent travel to Nashville and a strong commitment to maintaining close collaboration with the broader team and creative process.

Requirements

Extensive experience designing in multiple categories, including denim, non-denim bottoms, wovens, knits and outerwear
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effortlessly convey design concept and specifications
An intrinsic understanding of clothing anatomy and the relationship between design and the body
Excellent knowledge of silhouettes, fabrication, garment construction and finishings
Experience using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for flat sketching, print recoloring, and development
Successful project manager with a knowledge of the product cycle and product design timelines
Collaborative working style, with a willingness to discuss and adapt given feedback
Highly detail oriented, with the ability to see the big picture
An inspiring team player with a steadfast work ethic who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can juggle multiple projects concurrently
Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
At least 7 years of experience in product design
Passion for working with denim is prioritized

Responsibilities

Responsible for overarching seasonal design concepts as well as style-level garment direction
Provide leadership and direction around fabric and trim selection and sourcing that resonates with the brand’s ethos and identity
Work closely with the product development team to implement ideas and ensure concepts are translated throughout the sample process and into production
Build and drive strategies for product with a focus on product storytelling
Partner with patternmaker to develop fit blocks
Participate in fit reviews to advance style-level concepts and to ensure fit intent is being achieved
Identify and provide creative solutions for any issues that arise with product design
Maintain knowledge of emerging fashion trends through regular market research, constantly seeking inspiration and product opportunities