Sr. Designer
Summary
Senior Designer at Pistola (a women's fashion brand) building private label non-denim lines — sweaters, cut-and-sew knits, and RTW — for the Stitch Fix partnership. Day to day they own design from trend research and sketching through fabric sourcing, fittings, and production, working on-site in Los Angeles with cross-functional teams.
What You’ll Do:
- Collaborate with the Director, Private Labels on trend direction, and product vision across non-denim categories (sweaters, cut-and-sew knits, and RTW).
- Drive the design process for private label lines, balancing the KNG aesthetic with Stitch Fix’s specific customer demographics, fit preferences, and performance data.
- Present collection concepts through trend analysis, mood boards, yarn/fabric recommendations, and key item stories tailored to partner needs.
- Lead raw material sourcing and fabric/yarn development with domestic and international suppliers, staying ahead of innovations in sweater yarns, knit structures, and woven fabrications.
- Own design from initial sketch to final fit, ensuring silhouette, drape, fabric performance, trim, and construction align with quality standards.
- Guide fittings, problem-solve production and technical issues, and maintain fit consistency across all non-denim product categories.
- Partner closely with Product Development, Merchandising, Tech Design, and Production to ensure design calendar milestones and target margins are consistently met.
- Analyze partner sales feedback and data to continually refine styles, update core drivers, and capture emerging trend opportunities.
- Manage seasonal development and sample budgets with accountability and accuracy.
- Identify process improvements and implement workflow efficiencies for the private label design lifecycle.
Who You Are:
- 6+ years of experience in women’s design, with explicit expertise in sweaters, cut-and-sew knits, and RTW categories.
- Elevated aesthetic with a proven ability to translate trends into commercially successful, high-volume product lines.
- Strong knowledge of sweater construction, yarn gauge, garment-dye techniques, knit fabrics, woven drape, and trim sourcing.
- Demonstrated experience designing for private label partnerships, wholesale accounts, or subscription/data-driven retail channels (experience working with Stitch Fix is a major plus).
- Proven success leading the design process from concept through final production while maintaining strict calendar accountability.
- Strong understanding of target costings, margin targets, and designing to price points.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a calm, solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
- Exceptional collaboration, communication, and presentation skills when working with internal cross-functional teams and external partner contacts.
- Ability to work full-time on-site in our Los Angeles office (Monday – Friday), with willingness to travel as needed for sourcing and trend research.