Design Director - Womenswear

Li & Fung•New York, NY

5d•$130,000 - $170,000

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Design Director to lead Womenswear design within our Private Label Apparel team. This role will drive seasonal creative direction, oversee all aspects of design and product development, and serve as a key creative leader both internally and externally. The ideal candidate brings a strong point of view, deep expertise in contemporary womenswear, and the ability to inspire teams while partnering closely with customers and cross-functional stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field.
10+ years of Womenswear design experience, including leadership responsibility.
Proven experience managing and developing high-performing design teams.
Strong understanding of garment construction, fabrication, and product development across multiple Womenswear categories.
Excellent presentation skills with experience in customer-facing environments.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and relevant design tools.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within private label or customer-driven retail environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead trend research, concept development, and seasonal design direction across Womenswear categories, ensuring cohesive and forward-thinking assortments aligned with customer and brand objectives.
Define and evolve design direction through silhouette, fabrication, color, and product strategy across private label programs.
Prepare and present seasonal concepts, collections, and design strategies in internal and customer-facing meetings.
Serve as the creative lead in buyer presentations and key partner discussions, representing the design vision externally.
Mentor and lead the design team, fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Oversee product development from concept through execution, ensuring alignment between design vision, customer expectations, and business goals.
Partner closely with merchandising, development, and production teams to deliver market-relevant assortments.
Conduct competitive analysis and market research to inform product direction and identify opportunities for growth.
Establish and manage design timelines and milestones across all Womenswear programs.
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and manufacturing partners to support quality, innovation, and execution.