Associate Designer, Dresses (WHBM)

Chicos Fas Inc•Fort Myers, FL

About The Position

This position is responsible for creating and developing product for assigned category or categories from start to finish. It also supports the design team in executing the seasonal concept direction, line plan style development, adhering to margin requirements, and ensuring timely completion of product. The role involves creating new silhouettes for categories, preparing development creative packages, managing multiple seasons at different stages of development, and understanding the development calendar to ensure adherence to the T&A. The Associate Designer will also create assortment relevant to brand positioning, prepare design tech packs, and demonstrate the ability to translate design for the customer. Preparing for seasonal product review meetings and conducting monthly market research to understand the brand and stay abreast of trends (both directional and at a retail level, including brick & mortar and online) are also key functions. The role may also involve attending development fit sessions and creating artwork for embellishments, plaid, stripes, and mock-up projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; 4 year college degree in Design
3+ years' in the apparel design industry, preferably contemporary market
Outstanding sketching and presentation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with internal and external partners
Past experience in business/design with solid understanding of details and trim
Excellent silhouette and trend forecasting ability
Strong sense and passion for print, pattern and details that make the brand and product unique
Affinity for working in a team environment
Computer proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Excel, and Word

Nice To Haves

InDesign and Micrographx experience preferred
Solid understanding of Fit, fabrics, finishes and construction a plus
The ability to create or visualize an idea and produce a design by hand or using CAD a plus

Responsibilities

Supports design team in creating the product collections at the beginning of each season.
Creates new silhouettes for categories within the collections.
Prepares development creative packages under direction of the senior designer and/or designer.
Supports in managing multiple seasons at different stages of development, while understanding the development calendar and ensuring teams are adhering to the T&A.
Creates assortment relevant to brand positioning.
Prepares design tech packs.
Demonstrates the ability to translate design to/for the customer.
Prepares for seasonal product review meetings.
Shops monthly to compile market research to gain understanding of brand and stays abreast of trends both directional and at a retail level, including, but not limited to brick & mortar and online research.
May attend development fit sessions.
May create artwork for embellishments, plaid and stripes, and mock up projects.
Other duties as assigned.