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Design Director, Sportswear
Ralph Lauren
New York, NY, United States
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Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE: RL) is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For nearly 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets.
Purpose and Scope: Design seasonal shirt lines for the Polo & Purple Label brands that meet the creative objectives and merchandising needs of the business.
Key Responsibilities:
• Research fabric qualities, trim, vintage/competitor garments, market trends, and new layouts for blankets seasonally by brand
• Design original color stories and blanket groups for each brand using new color vehicles and inspiration
• Explain concept and direction to internal/external CAD teams for blanket development; send out all CAD groups to mills/Hong Kong team
• Work with mills, factories, and internal R&D facility to develop new fabrics, finishes, washes, and dying techniques
• Counter-develop fabrics that maintain brand appropriate aesthetics with tiered price points
• Pull “brainstorm” materials at the start of each new season to fit concepts – protos, blankets, tirelle, and special projects from the archive
• Collaborate with concept team to pull inspirational protos/swatches for concept rigs
• Maintain accurate and organized records of all seasonal design materials, blanket developments in work, and proto developments in work
• Liaise with Hong Kong/Bologna offices to coordinate timely delivery of blankets and protos; find creative solutions to any challenges and maintain open communication between international teams and senior management
• Schedule all mill visits, track all seasonal tirelle/color cards, and coordinate timely delivery to meet design dates
• Prepare all presentation boards for review with senior management to clearly convey each idea/concept, adding inspirational pieces from other product categories to enhance woven designs
• Collaborate with graphic designer to create inspirational sketches and print placements
• Collaborate with embroidery team to execute any embroidery mock-ups
• Edit/assort RL “ins” with merchandising based on Global Line Plan/scorecard to achieve business needs; adjust fabrics as needed
• Prepare for all design meetings with updated agendas and necessary talking points
• Record key milestones in design cycle to build next season’s design calendar
• Maintain record of outstanding issues by brand/follow up with merchandising team, fabric team, and product development team
• Attend all stock fittings, and manage protos/prep for all design driven fittings—new collar development, new model development, etc
• Help director manage budget, schedule touch-bases with operations director to stay on budget, code all personal invoices
• Manage all personal shirt requests—order fabric, keep records, and work with technical team to check specs
• Select Polo Ponies for review with Director
Requirements:
• Extensive knowledge of woven textile design and garment making
• Degree in fashion design
• Minimum of 4-6 years work experience in the industry
• Experience sourcing fabrics in Europe and Asia
• Ability to travel
• Proven verbal & communication skills
• Capability of presenting design ideas
• Excellent attention to detail – strong organizational skills
Ralph Lauren is an equal opportunity employer. We offer dynamic career opportunities with growth potential and a generous company discount.