Job Description

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Overview

To set the overall trend and direction for designs each season for their respective category. To supervise designers and ensure that designs and resulting product are appropriate for the Anthropologie customer.

Our Company

URBN is a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, Terrain and the Vetri Family. We are passionate, creative and entrepreneurial. We create unique retail experiences with an eye toward creativity and a singular focus on pleasing our customer.

Responsibilities

· Contribute to overall trend and direction for each season, for all designs, labels and categories.

· Shop and observe street fashion several times a year. Take photos and purchase samples for inspiration.

· Globally source, find fabrics and yarns that are within budgetary guidelines to develop. 

· Collaborate with the Design Manager, Design Director and Buying team on a weekly basis to review emerging trends to chase in-season.

· Collaborate with the Design Manager and Design Director each season to develop conceptual direction for the total product assortment.

· Identify fabrics and yarns that are within budget guidelines (line plan) to develop into product. Collaborate with partners in Production to manage lead-time, minimum order requirements, and costing constraints.

· Design styles, develop or select trims, and identify colors for fabrics selected at the Raw Materials meeting.

· Present development samples and color palette for merchant review at Proto and Finalization Meetings.

· Oversee the set up of spec sheets for all chosen bodies. Communicate fit and construction details to Technical Design department. Complete all technical sketches for domestic and overseas programs, CAD styles were possible.

· Travel to factories for development and execution of programs.

· Manage weekly fittings.

· Develop and train Assistant and Associate Designers. Ensure training goals are set each review period and renewed regularly. Motivate and encourage them to be creative and to support your needs.

· Develop a partnership with Design Coordinators to ensure product deadlines are met and that Designers’ skills are developed.

Qualifications

• The ability to recognize and accurately forecast fashion and cultural trends.
• Creative Vision: Have 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. Have the expertise to take aspirational ideas, focusing on the key details and make them work for a broader audience. Have creative ideas that give Anthropologie a point of difference in the market without being too obscure.
• Ability to articulate ideas clearly and inspire: Excellent communication skills to communicate ideas and inspirations to others and to interact with designers, buyers and other Home Office staff.
• Ability to research and report on industry trend direction, color direction, and fabric innovations approximately 9-12 months ahead of season.
• Organizational skills necessary to manage multiple tasks and projects, and complete them within deadlines.
• Excellent hand sketching and CAD skills in Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Comprehensive knowledge of apparel construction, including dying, silk screening, washing techniques and other treatments.
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing techniques and processes.
• Knowledge and ability to source fabrics, trims, labels and other production goods.
• Leadership skills to build and develop a solid team if individuals that share a common vision and understanding of the Company and the Anthro customer and successfully work in a team environment. 
• The ability to delegate and direct the daily activities of the designers, assistants and associate designers and provide direction to the team.
• Personnel skills to motivate, lead, develop and coach people and the recognition that building a team is critical to the Company’s success. The ability to provide feedback and performance evaluation in accordance with Company guidelines with the goal of developing and promoting staff internally.
• The ability to develop partnerships with Buyers, Directors and Department heads.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. 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, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

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.

Education

Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design

Experience Requirement

• 7-10 years in women’s design
• Strong understanding of fashion trends and the Anthropologie customer
• Strong technical knowledge of wovens fabrications and construction

Travel

Position requires domestic and overseas travel

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