Design Director - Men's Suiting, Shirts, Ties & Topcoats
About The Position
As the Design Director of Men's Suiting, Shirts, Ties & Topcoats, you will work closely with the VP of Men's Design to define and execute the creative and strategic direction for these core product categories. Your expertise in tailored construction, fabrication, shirting, neckwear, and outerwear, combined with strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, will ensure these essential categories continue to be pillars of the J.Crew brand. This role requires a deep understanding of how suiting, tailored separates, and outerwear work together to create cohesive, compelling collections that reflect J.Crew's signature aesthetic.
Requirements
- 12+ years of experience in apparel design with specific expertise in men's suiting, shirting, and/or outerwear design.
- Deep knowledge of garment construction, fabric technologies, fit development, and tailoring techniques.
- Proven ability to create collections that blend core styles with innovative approaches while maintaining brand consistency across multiple categories.
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of building and leading high-performing design teams.
- Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Merchandising, Production, and Marketing teams to achieve business objectives.
- Advanced understanding of garment construction, textile science, and manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proficiency in design software and technical drawing.
- Deep appreciation for and understanding of the J.Crew brand aesthetic and the customer.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field
Responsibilities
- Lead the design vision for Men's Suiting, Shirts, Ties & Topcoats product assortments, creating collections that balance innovation with brand authenticity.
- Develop compelling assortments that ensure alignment with the broader men's product line and J.Crew brand identity.
- Design cohesive collections across categories that complement and anchor the ready-to-wear line while responding to market demands and emerging trends.
- Drive innovation and identify opportunities for new silhouettes, fabric technologies, construction techniques, and finishing processes.
- Ensure design integrity from concept through production while maintaining J.Crew's quality standards.
- Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of designers across suiting, shirting, neckwear, and outerwear categories.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
- Cultivate strong partnerships with Merchandising, Production, and Marketing teams to ensure seamless execution across all categories.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Prescription insurance
- Vision insurance
- Family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support)
- Fitness discounts
- Medical travel
- Associate discount across all brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell)
- Summer Fridays (office closes at 1:00 PM every Friday during Summer months)
- Winter Break (at the end of December for eligible full-time associates at the Home Office)
- Paid Time Off (PTO) package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
