Apparel Designer

Apparel Designer

Location: New York, NY

Pay: $32-$37/hr (W2 and benefit options)

Schedule: Hybrid (3 days on-site)

Hours: 30-40hrs/wk

Duration: 3 Months, potential to extend

The Planet Group is seeking an Apparel Designer to join our client, a national department store retailer specializing in apparel, home goods, beauty products, and accessories.

The Apparel Designer supports the design and development of knitwear collections from concept through production. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Technical Design, and Production to deliver on-brand, commercially viable sweaters that align with seasonal direction and business needs. The Apparel Designer contributes to yarn selection, stitch development, and silhouette execution while supporting category-specific workflows and timelines.

Apparel Designer Responsibilities:

• Key Responsibilities Design & Creative Support
• Assist in developing seasonal sweater concepts, including yarns, stitches, patterns, and silhouettes aligned with brand direction
• Create design sketches, stitch callouts, and technical flats using Adobe Illustrator
• Support development of stripe layouts, jacquards, textures, and novelty stitches
• Collaborate on yarn selection, color development, and trim details with cross-functional teams and vendors
• Help build mood boards, concept decks, and sweater-specific presentations for seasonal reviews
• Conduct trend, market, and competitive research focused on knitwear using digital platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Miro, WGSN)
• Product Development & Execution
• Assist in creating and updating detailed tech packs, including stitch specifications, gauge, yarn details, construction, and measurements
• Support communication of design intent to overseas vendors, including stitch developments and proto comments
• Participate in fit sessions for sweaters; take notes, track revisions, and support approvals
• Review knit-downs, strike-offs, and samples to ensure accuracy of stitch, color, and quality
• Track development timelines and maintain accurate records to ensure on-time delivery
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Merchandising to support sweater assortment plans, pricing architecture, and seasonal direction
• Collaborate closely with Technical Design to ensure fit, construction, and knit feasibility
• Work with Production and vendors to align on yarn sourcing, cost targets, and manufacturing capabilities
• Support seasonal milestone meetings and ensure deliverables are completed on schedule
• Operational & Team Support
• Maintain organized sweater design files, yarn libraries, stitch references, and seasonal documentation
• Update PLM systems with accurate sweater-specific data (yarns, gauges, constructions)
• Assist with line plan updates, sample tracking, and development charts
• Support market preparation, sample organization, and presentation setup

Apparel Designer Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or related field preferred
• 1–3 years of apparel design experience, preferably in sweaters/knitwear (internships included)
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume environment preferred
• Portfolio required (including knitwear/sweater work strongly preferred)
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; PLM familiarity preferred
• Understanding of knitwear construction, stitches, gauges, and yarns
• Experience working with or exposure to knit-downs and sweater sampling processes
• Familiarity with Miro or similar tools for collaboration
• Exposure to AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom) for ideation is a plus
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and transport garment samples, yarn cones, and sample boxes
• Ability to attend fit sessions, line reviews, and market meetings