Design Director – Contemporary Fashion Brand

Job Title: Design Director – Contemporary Fashion Brand Overview We are seeking an experienced and visionary Design Director to lead the creative direction and brand vision for a fast-growing contemporary fashion brand spanning wholesale, DTC, and retail. The ideal candidate brings leadership and business acumen, a strong aesthetic point of view, deep understanding of market trends, and the ability to translate brand DNA into compelling collections for women’s and men’s across all classifications. Key Responsibilities Brand Vision & Strategy • Define and evolve the brand’s creative vision, ensuring a cohesive identity across product, imagery, packaging, retail, and digital platforms. • Translate brand positioning into seasonal creative direction that resonates with target customers across multiple channels. • Partner with executive leadership to align creative strategy with business objectives and growth plans. Product & Design Direction • Lead design and product teams in developing contemporary, trend-relevant collections that balance creativity with commercial appeal. • Oversee seasonal concept development, color stories, fabric direction, and key silhouette planning. • Ensure product differentiation and alignment with pricing architecture across wholesale, DTC, and retail channels. • Review and approve final collections and line presentations. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work closely with Merchandising, Production, and Sales to ensure creative alignment with business needs and customer expectations. • Provide leadership and mentorship to design, ecommerce, and marketing teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture. Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Fine Arts, or related field. • 10+ years of creative leadership experience within contemporary or premium fashion. • Proven experience directing across wholesale, DTC, and retail environments. • Strong understanding of consumer trends, market positioning, and competitive landscape. • Exceptional creative vision with a strong sense of storytelling and brand identity. • Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills. • Experience working cross-functionally with design, merchandising, marketing, and sales teams. Salary $160,000-$180,000