Designer - Intermediate

Serving as the key liaison between head designers and third-party vendors and licensing teams, this role ensures clear communication, timely follow-ups, and accurate execution of design intent. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and Sourcing teams to align collaborative product with line plans, costing, and timelines.

Job Details

Job Title: Designer Intermediate (Associate Designer Lifestyle Design)
Duration: 3-Month Assignment
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid Onsite/3-Days)



Job Description:


Position Overview

The Associate Designer, Ae ropostale supports the development and execution of seasonal apparel collections, with a primary focus on collaborative initiatives, licensing, and third-party vendor programs. This role works closely with internal cross-functional partners and external vendors to ensure collaborative product aligns with Ae ropostale s brand identity, design vision, quality standards, and seasonal timelines. The Associate Designer will play an integral role in day-to-day design development, technical execution, and coordination across multiple stakeholders. Serving as the key liaison between head designers and third-party vendors and licensing teams, this role ensures clear communication, timely follow-ups, and accurate execution of design intent. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, combining strong communication skills with a solid foundation in garment construction and apparel development.

Key Responsibilities Design & Creative Support

• Act as the primary point of contact between the design team and third-party vendors
• Clearly communicate design intent, fit comments, and product details
• Coordinate and track all sample submissions, lab dips, and design approvals
• Manage incoming and outgoing submits to ensure deadlines are met
• Maintain professional, timely email correspondence with vendors
• Support head designers by documenting and following up on fit comments
• Maintain organized design libraries, records, and sample archives
• Assist in the preparation of design packages, decks, and presentations
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to keep projects aligned and on schedule
• Support the design development of collaborative and third-party collections, ensuring alignment with brand standards
• Contribute to seasonal concepts, color palettes, prints, and silhouettes specific to collaboration initiatives
• Create and update technical sketches and flats using Adobe Illustrator
• Support fabric, trim, wash, and color selection in partnership with the Designer
• Contribute to mood boards, concept decks, line reviews, and collaboration presentations
• Conduct trend, market, and competitive research using digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WGSN, and Miro

Product Development & Vendor Coordination

• Create, update, and maintain detailed and accurate tech packs, including measurements, construction details, BOMs, and design comments
• Support fit sessions by capturing detailed notes, tracking revisions, and following up on required changes
• Assist with sample management, including tracking, organizing, reviewing, and maintaining sample libraries
• Track product updates throughout the development lifecycle to ensure accuracy and on-time execution
• Support communication with third-party vendors and overseas factories to uphold design intent and brand expectations

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and Sourcing teams to align collaborative product with line plans, costing, and timelines
• Assist in managing seasonal calendars and collaboration-specific milestones
• Support adoption meetings, line reviews, and cross-functional checkpoints

Administrative & Operational Support

• Organize and maintain design files, collaboration decks, reference libraries, and seasonal boards
• Update PLM systems, line plans, BOMs, and internal tracking tools
• Support market preparation, collaboration launches, and internal presentations

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor s degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred

Experience

• 1 3 years of experience in apparel design or product development (including internships)
• Experience working on collaborations, licensed product, or with third-party vendors strongly preferred
• Apparel industry experience required
• Portfolio required

Skills

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM experience a plus
• Working knowledge of garment construction, fabrics, and fit
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when working with external partners
• Basic understanding and hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation, concept development, and design visualization

Personal Attributes

• Strong interest in collaboration-driven product and brand partnerships
• Proactive, adaptable, and open to feedback
• Highly organized and comfortable managing multiple timelines
• Team-oriented with a positive, collaborative mindset
• Ability to balance creative thinking with execution and deadlines

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transport garment samples and sample boxes
• Ability to attend fittings, reviews, and seasonal meetings

Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.