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Lead Fashion Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a Product Designer, Apparel to lead the creation and development of new styles from ... Research fashion, color, fabric, trim, and silhouette trends through market shopping, competitor ...

Mens Apparel Designer - Denim

Lynnwood, WA · On-site

$37.05 - $39.42/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... fashion, music, art, and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles ... Partner with Senior Designer to manage and lead multiple projects, prioritizing daily workloads and ...

We are seeking a Product Designer, Apparel to lead the creation and development of new styles from ... Research fashion, color, fabric, trim, and silhouette trends through market shopping, competitor ...

Apparel Designer (Uniforms)

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$57/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

We are seeking a visionary designer to lead a crucial project, converting hundreds of existing ... Bachelor's Degree in Apparel/Fashion Design or a related field, or an equivalent combination of ...

Designer - Denim

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Lead fittings, assess garment construction, and provide clear, actionable feedback to Technical ... Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or equivalent experience. * Strong command of denim ...

Apparel Designer

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent experience. * 4-6 years of ... Lead the design and execution of assigned product categories from concept through production ...

Apparel Designer

Boston, MA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent experience. * 4-6 years of ... Lead the design and execution of assigned product categories from concept through production ...

Apparel Designer

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent experience. * 4-6 years of ... Lead the design and execution of assigned product categories from concept through production ...

Showing results 21-40

Lead Fashion Designer information

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$42K

$91.2K

$157K

How much do lead fashion designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead fashion designer in the United States is $91,161.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead fashion designer do?

A Lead Fashion Designer oversees the creative direction of a fashion brand or collection, guiding a team of designers to develop new styles and concepts. They are responsible for setting design themes, selecting fabrics and colors, and ensuring that the final products align with current trends and the brand's vision. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments like marketing and production to ensure a cohesive process from concept to finished garment. Their role combines creativity, leadership, and a deep understanding of the fashion industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead fashion designer?

A Lead Fashion Designer must possess strong design expertise, trend awareness, and a degree in fashion design or a related field. Mastery of design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, CAD programs, and familiarity with textile technologies are typically required. Leadership, creativity, and excellent communication skills help guide design teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills ensure innovative collections, efficient workflow, and successful brand representation in a highly competitive industry.

How does a lead fashion designer typically collaborate with other departments during the design process?

As a Lead Fashion Designer, collaboration with other departments such as merchandising, production, and marketing is essential to bring collections from concept to market. You will often work closely with product developers to ensure your designs are feasible for manufacturing, communicate with buyers to align on market trends and customer preferences, and coordinate with marketing teams to develop cohesive brand stories. Effective cross-functional communication and teamwork are key to ensuring that the final product meets both creative vision and business objectives.

What is the difference between Lead Fashion Designer vs Fashion Designer?

AspectLead Fashion DesignerFashion Designer
ResponsibilitiesOversees design team, sets creative direction, manages projectsCreates designs, sketches, and develops collections
Experience & CredentialsTypically 5+ years, strong portfolio, leadership skillsEntry to mid-level, portfolio required, creative skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, fashion houses, collaborative teamsDesign studios, freelance or in-house roles
Industry UsageUsed in larger brands and companiesUsed across all brand sizes, entry-level to senior roles

The main difference between a Lead Fashion Designer and a Fashion Designer lies in their scope of responsibilities and experience. The Lead Fashion Designer typically manages teams and sets strategic creative directions, while the Fashion Designer focuses on creating individual designs and collections. Both roles require strong portfolios, but the Lead position demands more leadership skills and industry experience.

More about Lead Fashion Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Lead Fashion Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Lead Fashion Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lead Fashion Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,161 per year, or $43.8 per hour.

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

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