Women’s Denim Design Director

Rag & Bone • New York, NY

1d • $185,000 - $190,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This role involves setting the creative vision for women's denim, ensuring alignment with the brand's aesthetic and market strategy. The Director will lead the end-to-end development of core fits and silhouettes, including conceptualization, architecture creation, and fit sessions. They will also direct wash development and finishing, collaborating with mills and laundries for unique treatments. A key aspect of the role is managing and mentoring a design team to foster a creative and collaborative environment. The position requires cross-functional partnership with merchandising, production, sourcing, and commercial teams to ensure the design vision is commercially viable. The role also involves international travel to source fabric innovations, stay updated on global denim trends, and build relationships with premium denim mills to secure differentiated fabrications.

Requirements

• 10+ years of denim design experience.
• At least 5 years in a design leadership role owning a women's denim category.
• Deep technical expertise in fits, fabrics, and wash/finishing processes.
• A strong personal point of view balanced with commercial instinct.
• Experience building relationships directly with mills and laundries.
• Comfort working cross-functionally in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Nice To Haves

• Existing relationships with premium global mills (Japan, Italy, Turkey).
• Global perspective — prior experience with a global denim brand is a plus.
• Experience within American premium/contemporary denim.

Responsibilities

• Set creative vision for women's denim in conjunction with Design team leads.
• Conceptualize and lead core fit/block development end-to-end.
• Direct wash development and finishing, partnering with mills and laundries.
• Manage and mentor a design team fostering a collaborative, innovative and creative culture.
• Partner cross-functionally with merchandising, production, sourcing, and commercial teams.
• Travel internationally to mills, factories, and trade shows to source fabric innovation and stay ahead of global denim trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with premium denim mills to secure exclusive or differentiated fabrication.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior