Urban Outfitters Designer - BDG Knits

Urban Outfitters•Philadelphia, PA

22h

About The Position

Urban Outfitters is seeking a creative, highly motivated Designer for the BDG Knits team to help shape and evolve its casual knit assortment for the Gen Z customer. The role balances commercial everyday essentials with fashion-forward, emotionally compelling products that reflect BDG’s casual, washed-and-worn, vintage-inspired, borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic. The designer translates seasonal concepts, vintage inspiration, and emerging cultural trends into relevant product, with a strong point of view on silhouette, proportion, fabric, wash, color, graphics, and construction. The designer independently owns categories and manages product development from concept through execution, working closely with the Design Director and cross-functional partners. Responsibilities span creative direction, fabric and material development, business analysis, fittings, sample reviews, digital design, presentations, and seasonal delivery. Strong digital design skills are essential, as is the ability to use AI-supported creative tools to enhance design exploration, visualization, and efficiency. Casual woven apparel experience 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 strong 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.
Excellent 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.
Experience using AI-supported creative tools for design development and presentation, or a strong willingness to learn and adapt.
Ability to independently conduct fittings, manage product development, and communicate clear, actionable design direction.
Commercial awareness, including understanding of selling performance, margin, and cost considerations.
Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Self-directed, proactive, and resourceful approach, with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet 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 is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and execute key areas of the BDG casual knits assortment, balancing commercial core essentials with fashion-forward silhouettes, novelty, craft, and graphic product.
Partner with the Design Director to translate seasonal concepts into product that reflects the BDG aesthetic and Urban Outfitters customer.
Track emerging trends and draw on vintage inspiration, youth culture, fashion, art, and music to inform differentiated product.
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.
Analyze weekly selling, customer response, category performance, and market trends to identify product opportunities.
Partner with Buying on assortment needs, white-space opportunities, and real-time business reactions.
Design product that balances creative vision, quality, margin, and business objectives.
Independently manage styles from concept through development, fittings, approvals, and finalization.
Conduct fittings and sample reviews, giving clear direction on fit, silhouette, fabric, wash, construction, and overall aesthetic.
Ensure products meet design intent, quality, cost, and calendar expectations.
Create digital sketches, CADs, concept boards, and presentation materials communicating product and assortment direction.
Prepare and present work during Sketch Reviews, Finalization, fittings, and other seasonal milestones.
Use AI creative tools to support concept development, design iteration, visualization, and presentations.
Identify ways to improve design processes, increase efficiency, and streamline workflows without compromising creativity or product quality.
Build productive partnerships across Design, Buying, Product Development, Print + Color, Technical Design, and Production.
Manage multiple projects and seasonal deliverables, proactively communicating challenges and solutions.
Demonstrate accountability, resourcefulness, and follow-through throughout design and development.
Contribute to a positive, collaborative, creatively ambitious team environment.
Provide constructive feedback and support to junior team members as needed.