Free People Designer- Dresses

Role Summary

Free People is seeking an experienced Designer to contribute to and lead the creative development of our Dresses category. This role involves designing seasonal collections, creating original mock-ups and prototypes for key meetings, and collaborating closely with the team to deliver cohesive, brand-appropriate designs that reflect the Free People aesthetic and resonate with our customer.

The Dresses category encompasses a wide range of fabrications and aesthetics, so the ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of fabrications, construction, and design techniques. They should possess a strong vision for innovation in silhouettes, details, prints, and embellishments. We are looking for someone who is passionate about Dresses, Prints, and Trends and dedicated to elevating the product with unique and forward-thinking designs across dresses, one-pieces, and sets. If you thrive in a dynamic, creative environment and are committed to driving product excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Responsibilities

• The Designer will actively contribute to the design creation, development, and execution of own brand product appropriate for Free People Dresses with a focus on Femme sensibilities.
• Recognize and accurately forecast fashion and cultural trends and understand how they relate to the Free People customer. As a Designer on Dresses, you will play a key role in collaborating, brainstorming, and presenting monthly trend direction for your category alongside the Design Director and collaborate with the larger Dresses team.
• Have a passion for Prints, Patterns and color, and how to elevate prints within dresses across several fabrications. Have a strong ability to translate and innovate ways to express seasonal print, pattern and artwork direction
• Attend all fittings and support the Team through problem solving fit issues and communicating.
• Support seasonal development calendar for both Retail & Whls deliveries.
• Creative Contribution to the design process including sketching new ideas with the help of procreate and Adobe programs (Illustrator, Photoshop), researching new trends and ideas as well as utilizing ai platforms to increase creative research (such as MidJourney)
• Manage development and execution of all design packages alongside Assistant Designer and participate in all follow-up communication related to each package in partnership with the Design Coordinator & Product Development team.
• Strong initiative and point of view on design research and staying up to date with industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations that can relate to the Free People target customer.
• Execute original design ideas through sketches and draped & sewn mocks to communicate design’s vision in key meetings.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment, constantly pushing new ideas, concepts as well as responding to business objectives with creative and innovative designs to move the category forward.

Role Qualifications

• Creativity is a must! Having a strength in pushing new ideas, silhouettes, and design concepts
• Demonstrate the vision to identify trends in their early stages and understand their impact to fashion, so we can be one step ahead for the aspirational customer. 
• Ability to research and report on fashion trend direction, color/print direction, and fabric innovations. 
• Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Ai knowledge/experience would be a plus!
• Strong understanding of knits & Wovens fabrications and technical ability to apply that knowledge on to fits and designs
• Ability to drape, mock and sewing skills are a must.
• Strong sense of organizational skills as well as passionate of fast speed environment
• Excellent communication skills to communicate ideas and inspirations to others and to interact with Designers, Buyers and other Cross Functional partners. Collaboration across teams is key at Free People
• Proficient in Microsoft platforms (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design with related field experience

Years of Experience: 5-9 years minimum

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.