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Apparel Design Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aime Leon Dore

Design Director - Footwear

New York, NY

$130K - $140K/yr

(This is a New York based role) The Design Director, Footwear leads the creative direction, design ... Partner closely with Apparel Design, Merchandising, Production, and Marketing to ensure product ...

Eberjey

Design Director

Miami, FL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

... apparel . They are AI-curious , forward-thinking, and hungry to push the brand into the future of ... Design Director level) at a premium or lifestyle apparel brand. * Proven ability to balance brand ...

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Apparel Design Director information

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$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do apparel design director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for apparel design director in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Apparel Design Director do?

An Apparel Design Director oversees the creative direction and design process for clothing lines within a company or brand. They lead a team of designers, set design goals, and ensure that the collections align with brand identity and market trends. Their duties include trend forecasting, approving design concepts, collaborating with other departments, and ensuring products meet quality and budget standards. They play a key role in the brand’s overall visual identity and commercial success.

What is the difference between Apparel Design Director vs Apparel Product Manager?

AspectApparel Design DirectorApparel Product Manager
Primary FocusOversees overall design vision and creative directionManages product development, timelines, and market strategy
ResponsibilitiesLeading design teams, setting creative standards, brand consistencyProduct lifecycle management, coordinating between design, marketing, and production
Required SkillsDesign expertise, leadership, creative visionProject management, market analysis, cross-functional collaboration
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, creative teams, brand headquartersProduct development teams, marketing, sales departments

The Apparel Design Director focuses on the creative and artistic aspects of clothing lines, leading design teams to establish the brand's visual identity. In contrast, the Apparel Product Manager concentrates on managing the product lifecycle, ensuring market fit, and coordinating between departments to bring products to market successfully. Both roles are essential in the apparel industry but serve different strategic functions.

Is apparel just clothing?

Apparel, in the context of an Apparel Design Director role, refers to clothing and garments created for fashion, function, or commercial purposes. It encompasses a wide range of items such as shirts, pants, dresses, and accessories, often involving design, fabric selection, and production processes. The role typically requires knowledge of fashion trends, technical skills, and industry standards beyond just the basic concept of clothing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Apparel Design Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Apparel Design Director, you need an in-depth knowledge of fashion design, garment construction, trend analysis, and a relevant degree such as in fashion design or a related field. Mastery of design software like Adobe Creative Suite, experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, and a strong portfolio are typically required. Leadership, creative vision, and strong communication skills help guide teams and translate ideas into commercially viable collections. These skills are crucial for directing innovative designs, ensuring brand consistency, and meeting market demands in a competitive industry.

What is considered as apparel?

Apparel refers to clothing items worn by individuals, including garments such as shirts, pants, dresses, and outerwear. Apparel design involves creating these clothing items, often requiring knowledge of fabrics, patterns, and manufacturing processes.

How does an Apparel Design Director typically collaborate with other departments in a fashion company?

An Apparel Design Director works closely with various teams, including product development, merchandising, marketing, and production. They provide creative direction to design teams, communicate trend forecasts, and ensure that collections align with brand strategy. Regular meetings with merchandising help ensure designs meet market needs, while collaboration with production ensures feasibility and quality. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for managing cross-functional projects and driving cohesive brand vision across departments.

Which country buys the most clothes per capita?

As an Apparel Design Director, understanding global consumer behavior is important; per capita clothing purchases are highest in countries like Australia, the United States, and some European nations. These regions have high disposable incomes and strong fashion markets, influencing clothing demand and design trends.
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Apparel Design Director jobs near you

Director, Fashion Design - Apparel - Sam's Club

Sam's Club

Tontitown, AR

$130K - $260K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Sam's Club rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,975 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

Position Summary...What you'll do...Position Summary:  As Design Director of Apparel, you will shape the creative vision and seasonal direction for Sam’s Club private brand Member’s Mark, translating emerging trends into compelling, member-first product that leads the market in style, quality, and value. This role blends visionary leadership with hands-on design execution — leading and inspiring a team while also actively sketching, developing, and driving product concepts from ideation through final assortment. About the Team:  This is a unique opportunity to help shape and build the future of the Member’s Mark design organization, making a meaningful impact on both the product and the team. We are looking for an entrepreneurial creative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings a strong strategic point of view, and leads through both innovation and execution. The ideal candidate is a strategic creative leader and highly skilled designer with deep product expertise, a strong apparel background, and a passion for developing talent and elevating design excellence across the organization. What you’ll do
  • Lead seasonal design direction for Sam’s Club across Apparel translating trend and member insights into cohesive assortments.
  • Design and oversee sketches, presentations, and prototype development to deliver high-quality samples with strong adoption.
  • Drive brand storytelling and aesthetic consistency across men’s, women’s and children’s apparel. 
  • Partner with Product Development, Merchandising, Sourcing, Marketing, and Tech to optimize calendars, tools (PLM/CAD/3D), and design-to-cost decisions.
What you’ll bring
  • Director-level apparel design leadership across multi-category assortments, from concept through prototype and adoption.
  • Expertise in brand architecture, line planning, tiering, and storytelling that strengthens member promise.
  • Strong command of color/print/fabric, fit intent, and material innovation balanced with cost and margin.
  • Fluency in trend platforms and design workflows/tools (PLM, CAD/3D, AI/social listening) to improve speed and quality.
  • Proffered 8+ years of experience
At Sam's Club, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet!
-Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage
-Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance
-Paid time off benefits include PTO, parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable.
For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices.
- Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
Live Better U is a company paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms.
For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.
The annual salary range for this position is $130,000.00 - $260,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include Regional Pay Zone (RPZ) (based on location).

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Minimum Qualifications...

Outlined below are the required minimum qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no minimum qualifications.

Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, textile design, or related area and 8 years’ experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
Option 2: 10 years’ experience in apparel design, garment construction, or related area.
5 years’ supervisory experience.Preferred Qualifications...

Outlined below are the optional preferred qualifications for this position. If none are listed, there are no preferred qualifications.

Experience driving brand identity and innovation., Proven ability to build and scale design teams., Strong business acumen and ability to influence product strategy.Primary Location...2101 Se Simple Savings Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712-4304, United States of AmericaWalmart and its subsidiaries are committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and has a no tolerance policy regarding the use of illegal drugs and alcohol on the job. This policy applies to all employees and aims to create a safe and productive work environment.

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