Sportswear Apparel Designer

Aquent is partnering with a globally recognized lifestyle and sportswear organization, seeking visionary talent to shape the future of apparel design. This is a unique opportunity to directly influence seasonal product initiatives, translating cultural trends and consumer insights into groundbreaking designs that resonate with a global audience. Your creativity and expertise will be pivotal in delivering innovative apparel collections that define lifestyle and sportswear trends.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a talented Apparel Designer to join a dynamic team within a leading global lifestyle and sportswear organization. This contract role offers an exciting chance to bring fresh perspectives and innovative design solutions to seasonal product initiatives. You will play a critical role in transforming initial concepts into tangible products, impacting how consumers experience and engage with cutting-edge apparel.

This is an ideal opportunity for a creative designer with a strong background in cut-and-sew apparel design, a deep understanding of lifestyle-driven sportswear, and proven experience in creating technical packages. You will collaborate extensively with cross-functional partners, including product development, materials, merchandising, and manufacturing teams, ensuring your designs come to life with precision and impact.

What You'll Do

• Develop innovative apparel concepts that align with seasonal creative direction and emerging consumer trends.
• Design and refine lifestyle-focused apparel collections across both men's and women's categories.
• Create and maintain detailed technical packs to effectively communicate design intent, construction details, measurements, and specifications to manufacturing partners.
• Revise existing seasonal designs while continuously introducing fresh creative ideas and new approaches.
• Support the entire product creation process, from initial concept development through prototyping, refinement, and final execution.
• Collaborate seamlessly with cross-functional teams, including product management, merchandising, materials, technical development, sourcing, and external partners.
• Explore and integrate new materials, trims, silhouettes, graphics, and construction techniques to elevate product innovation.
• Craft compelling design presentations and articulate design rationale to internal stakeholders.
• Balance creative intent with product timelines, operational requirements, and production considerations to ensure successful execution.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in apparel design, specifically in cut-and-sew apparel development.
• Bachelor's degree in Apparel Design, Fashion Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of design styles, categories, and lifestyle-focused sportswear work.
• Proven experience designing apparel collections from concept through production.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating technical packages and collaborating with manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of apparel construction, materials, trims, color, and fit.
• Ability to sketch, illustrate, and communicate design concepts through both analog and digital methods.
• Proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and other digital design tools.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to clearly explain creative concepts and design decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing lifestyle apparel for both men's and women's categories.
• Background in sportswear, streetwear, fashion, or consumer lifestyle brands.
• Experience with color and materials design.
• Experience designing apparel graphics and accessories.
• Knowledge of youth culture, sport culture, fashion trends, and emerging consumer communities.
• Experience supporting collaborations, partnerships, or limited-edition collections.
• Experience with 3D apparel design tools such as CLO 3D or similar platforms.

Portfolio Requirements

Candidates must provide a portfolio that clearly showcases:

• A broad range of apparel design work and creative styles.
• Lifestyle-focused sportswear or fashion apparel.
• Cut-and-sew garment design experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of material, color, and construction.
• Examples of product development from concept through execution.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.