What are the responsibilities and job description for the Free People Temporary Design Assistant position at Free People?
Free People Free-est Design Assistant- Temp (Maternity leave cover)
The Free-est Design Assistant supports the development of private-label products and partners closely with the Designer and Design Director on in-house development for the Free-est product line, with a strong focus on cut-and-sew knits and sweaters.
In this role, you will assist throughout the design process—from concept through production—collaborating with the design team to bring seasonal collections to life. Responsibilities include contributing to seasonal design development, sewing and mocking original concepts for key reviews, and supporting both creative and operational design needs.
You will also help design and source fabrics and products suited to the Free-est customer across multiple categories, including dresses, bottoms, tops, one-pieces, and third-layer pieces, spanning a range of silhouettes and sensibilities.
Role Responsibilities
Role Qualifications
Fabric & Sewing Knowledge:
Years of experience required : Between 1-4 years
Location: Navy Yard - 5 days per week
The Perks
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits
EEO Statement
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.
The Free-est Design Assistant supports the development of private-label products and partners closely with the Designer and Design Director on in-house development for the Free-est product line, with a strong focus on cut-and-sew knits and sweaters.
In this role, you will assist throughout the design process—from concept through production—collaborating with the design team to bring seasonal collections to life. Responsibilities include contributing to seasonal design development, sewing and mocking original concepts for key reviews, and supporting both creative and operational design needs.
You will also help design and source fabrics and products suited to the Free-est customer across multiple categories, including dresses, bottoms, tops, one-pieces, and third-layer pieces, spanning a range of silhouettes and sensibilities.
Role Responsibilities
- Contribute to the creation, development, and execution of Free-est private-label product, with a focus on knits and sweaters.
- Support the design of product that reflects the unique Free-est aesthetic across dresses, sets, one-pieces, bottoms, tops, and third-layer pieces.
- Assist throughout the design process, including sketching concepts using Procreate and/or Adobe Illustrator, researching trends, and leveraging AI tools to enhance creative exploration.
- Actively participate in weekly Design Flow meetings by taking notes, tracking action items, and following up in alignment with the manager.
- Support the seasonal development calendar in partnership with the Free-est design team.
- Execute assigned design development projects under the direction of the Designer and Design Director.
- Assist in the creation, management, and execution of design packages, including ongoing follow-up and communication with the Design Coordinator and Product Development team.
- Complete and maintain technical sketches for both domestic and overseas programs, ensuring all updates are accurately managed.
- Set up and maintain spec sheets for private-label products, supporting designers with development and cross-functional communication as needed.
- Communicate fit and construction updates to cross-functional partners by managing weekly fit recap notes and flagging major changes to the Design Coordinator and Product Development team.
- Research and report on industry trends, including silhouettes, color direction, and fabric innovations relevant to the Free People customer.
- Execute original design concepts through draped and sewn mock-ups to clearly communicate design intent during key reviews.
- Collaborate closely with the Designer, Design Director, and Free-est team to support innovative presentations for key design meetings with buyers and brand leadership.
Role Qualifications
- Soft Skills:
- Proactive, self-motivated, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional partners.
- Positive attitude with strong communication and teamwork skills.
Fabric & Sewing Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of cut-and-sew knits and sweater fabrications, with the ability to apply this knowledge to garment construction and design execution.
- Proven ability to drape, mock, and sew; hands-on construction skills are required.
- Solid technical design foundation with a passion for garment construction and craftsmanship.
- Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills, with proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Procreate.
- Working knowledge of AI design tools (e.g., MidJourney, PromeAI) is a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Years of experience required : Between 1-4 years
Location: Navy Yard - 5 days per week
The Perks
URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits
EEO Statement
URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.