Apparel Designer

Castlewood Apparel is seeking a talented and experienced Men’s Activewear Designer to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate is a hands-on designer who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment and can lead apparel products from concept through production. They will combine technical expertise with creative vision to develop products that seamlessly blend function, performance, and style. This role partners closely with the Design Director, Tech Team, Production, and Sales team to deliver seasonal collections that align with brand objectives, customer expectations, and business goals.

The Designer is responsible for translating market insights and creative direction into commercially viable products - owning trend research, concept development, garment design, fabric and trim selection, technical package creation, sample and fit approvals, production approvals, and customer presentations. This individual should have a strong understanding of apparel construction, materials, fit, print development, and production processes, with the ability to manage multiple seasons simultaneously and communicate clearly across cross-functional teams and overseas vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the apparel design and development process from concept through production for assigned categories
• Research competitive brands, retailers, and market trends to identify seasonal product opportunities
• Develop seasonal inspiration boards, color palettes, and concept presentations aligned with brand strategy
• Create garment sketches and detailed technical CAD drawings in Adobe Illustrator
• Select fabrics, trims, and components developing new fabrics as needed
• Build complete, accurate tech packs covering sketches, measurements, construction details, colorways, materials, artwork, and labeling
• Submit development packages to overseas factories; track samples and respond promptly to factory questions
• Review incoming samples against approved standards; evaluate fit, construction, materials, and color
• Participate in fit sessions with the Tech Team and document clear, actionable revisions for the Production Team and factories
• Prepare seasonal sell-in presentations and organize samples for customer meetings
• Participate in customer meetings presenting the line
• Capture customer feedback and incorporate it into the product development
• Review and approve production submissions along with the Design Assistant- lab dips, bulk fabric, trims, artwork, labeling, and hangtags - to ensure execution matches approved design intent
• Maintain development trackers, calendars, fabric libraries, color standards, and trim archives; proactively communicate risks and delays

Qualifications

• 4-5 years of experience in activewear design
• Strong understanding of apparel construction, garment fit, materials, trims, and print development
• Experience working directly with factories, and overseas vendors
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Excel; PowerPoint and PDF presentation skills
• Strong CAD skills with the ability to execute detailed technical drawings and create development packages from concept to production handoff
• Ability to create and modify colorways, technical sketches, print layouts, and pattern artwork for development and production
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple styles, categories, and seasonal calendars simultaneously
• Understanding of garment construction, fit evaluation, and production approval workflows

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000 commensurate with experience
• Discretionary annual bonus in December
• 401(K) with $1,000 company match & profit sharing (eligible after 1 year)
• 5 PSST days, 10 Vacation Days
• Company holidays including closure between Christmas and New Year's
• Hybrid schedule: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm : On-site Monday through Thursday, Remote Friday
• Business casual work environment

Work Location: NYC