Urban Outfitters Designer - BDG Knits

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

10d

About The Position

Urban Outfitters is seeking a creative, highly motivated Designer to join the BDG Knits team and shape and evolve its casual knit assortment for the Gen Z customer. The Designer balances commercial everyday essentials with fashion-forward product informed by the BDG aesthetic: casual, washed and worn, vintage-inspired, borrowed from the boys, and effortlessly cool. The role calls for a distinct creative point of view and a strong eye for silhouette, proportion, fabric, wash, color, graphics, and construction, as well as the ability to translate seasonal concepts, vintage inspiration, and cultural trends into relevant product. The Designer independently owns categories and manages product from concept through development and execution. Responsibilities span design, fabric development, fittings, sample reviews, and finalization, in partnership with the Design Director and cross-functional teams. The role also requires strong digital design skills and an ability or willingness to use AI-supported creative tools to improve exploration, visualization, and efficiency. Experience in casual woven apparel is a plus.

Requirements

At least 5 years of apparel design experience, preferably in casual knits, cut-and-sew knits, jersey, fleece, or contemporary casual sportswear.
A portfolio demonstrating a distinct creative point of view, relevant casual product design, and understanding of the Urban Outfitters customer.
Strong understanding of vintage-inspired, washed, worn, and casual product aesthetics, and ability to balance commercial essentials with directional fashion.
Strong eye for silhouette, proportion, fabric, wash, color, graphics, stitch, and construction detail.
Demonstrated experience in fabric development, garment construction, fit, and sample execution.
Strong hand and digital sketching skills and proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Creative Suite.
Ability to use AI-supported creative tools for design development and presentation, or strong willingness to learn and adapt.
Ability to independently conduct fittings, manage product development, and communicate clear, actionable design direction.
Commercial awareness and understanding of selling performance, margin, and cost considerations.
Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Self-directed, proactive, and resourceful, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet key deadlines.
Passion for fashion, vintage, youth culture, and continually evolving the BDG aesthetic.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing casual woven apparel.
Familiarity with Treadstone, BOM maintenance, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Design and execute key areas of the BDG casual knits assortment, balancing commercial essentials with fashion-forward silhouettes, novelty, craft, and graphics.
Partner with the Design Director to translate seasonal concepts into product that reflects the BDG aesthetic and Urban Outfitters customer.
Apply knowledge of emerging trends, vintage inspiration, fabric, wash, color, silhouette, proportion, and construction to product design.
Evolve successful core styles and introduce new silhouettes, fabrications, finishes, graphics, and design details.
Own fabric development and seasonal material direction, including fabric innovation, wash techniques, stitch, trim, and construction.
Use youth culture, vintage, fashion, art, and music to inform relevant and differentiated product.
Analyze weekly selling, customer response, and market trends to identify product opportunities.
Partner with Buying on assortment needs, white-space opportunities, and real-time business reactions.
Design product that aligns creative vision with quality, margin, and business objectives.
Manage styles independently from concept through development, fittings, approvals, and finalization.
Conduct fittings and sample reviews, providing direction on fit, silhouette, fabric, wash, construction, and aesthetic.
Ensure product meets design intent, quality, cost, and calendar expectations.
Create digital sketches, CADs, concept boards, and presentation materials to communicate product and assortment direction.
Prepare and present work at Sketch Reviews, Finalization, fittings, and other seasonal milestones.
Use AI creative tools such as Midjourney, ChatGPT, PromeAI, or similar platforms to support concept development, design iteration, visualization, and presentations.
Identify opportunities to improve design processes, efficiency, and workflows while maintaining creativity and product quality.
Build productive partnerships across Design, Buying, Product Development, Print + Color, Technical Design, and Production.
Manage multiple projects and seasonal deliverables, communicating challenges and solutions proactively.
Demonstrate accountability, resourcefulness, and follow-through throughout design and development.
Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and creatively ambitious team environment.
Provide constructive feedback and support to junior team members as needed.