Associate Apparel Designer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Eleven Eleven is a women's apparel and lifestyle brand based in Nashville, Tennessee. We are seeking a Product Designer, Apparel to lead the creation and development of new styles from concept through production.

This role is centered on design execution and product development, with direct ownership over how each piece is created, refined, and brought to market. You will translate ideas into production-ready garments, working hands-on with fabrics, fit, construction, and overseas vendors to ensure every product meets our standards.

About the Role

The Associate Apparel Designer will support the design and development of women's apparel across lounge, fleece, knitwear, outerwear, and seasonal lifestyle collections. This role is responsible for helping create successful products that align with Eleven Eleven's elevated aesthetic, quality standards, and community-first approach.

You'll assist in bringing products from concept through production, including trend research, CAD development, color direction, tech pack creation, fittings, sample reviews, and factory communication.

Working closely with Production and Brand Strategy, and our overseas manufacturing partners, you'll help bring new collections to life while ensuring every detail meets our design and quality standards.

The ideal candidate has 3-5+ years of apparel design experience, exceptional taste, strong technical skills, and a passion for creating products women reach for every day.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design process from initial concept through production.
• Create original CADs, technical sketches, and presentation boards for seasonal collections.
• Develop and maintain detailed tech packs, ensuring all updates from fittings and sample reviews are accurately reflected.
• Participate in fit sessions and communicate revisions with Product Development and overseas factories.
• Research fashion, color, fabric, trim, and silhouette trends through market shopping, competitor analysis, runway collections, social media, and consumer insights.
• Assist in developing seasonal color palettes, prints, graphics, and trim direction.
• Organize and maintain design boards, line plans, seasonal presentations, and development calendars.
• Communicate daily with overseas vendors regarding sample corrections, construction details, and development timelines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Production and Brand Strategy to ensure products are delivered on time and meet quality expectations.
• Help identify opportunities to improve fit, functionality, and construction while maintaining brand consistency.
• Stay informed on emerging trends, fabrics, and innovations that align with the Eleven Eleven customer.
• Over time, take ownership of individual product categories from concept through production.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Development, or related field
• 2-5+ years of experience in apparel design, technical design, or product development
• Strong experience creating tech packs, specs, and garment construction details
• Deep understanding of fit, grading, and fabric behavior
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
• Direct experience working with overseas factories
• Experience across women's apparel categories

Additional Attributes

• Strong eye for proportion, detail, and overall product execution
• Ability to translate creative direction into technically accurate garments
• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple styles simultaneously
• Clear communicator with both internal teams and external vendors
• High ownership mentality over product quality and final output

Portfolio Requirement

• Portfolio required (CADs, tech packs, or product examples demonstrating design and development work)

What This Role Requires

• Strong balance of design vision and technical execution
• Direct ownership of the product from idea through production
• Comfort working hands-on in fittings, revisions, and factory communication
• Accountability for the final product-not just the concept