Sr. Designer – Anthropologie, Philadelphia, PA
Founded in 1992, Anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com) operates more than 175 retail stores in North America and Europe, and ships to over 100 countries worldwide via our ecommerce channels. We cater to fashionable, educated, and creative women between the ages of 28 to 45, who desire an inspirational shopping experience. To that end, we are committed to exceeding her expectations in unexpected, delightful ways. Our unique product assortment includes women's apparel and accessories, home furnishings and décor, gifts, beauty, and found objects. Our mission is to provide our customer with an unimagined experience.
Senior Designer
Design/ Production
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask in fast paced environment.
• Works with Design Director to actively design, create and execute the vision of the brand.
• Expert in garment construction specific to category (garment fit, types of silhouette etc.)
• Strong communication and analytical skills to effectively collaborate and communicate with cross-functional partners: Design, Buying, Product Development, Production, Concept, Print & Color, and Fabric teams.
• Clear POV. Translates seasonal concept into key items, styles and outfits.
• Provides feedback and approves all aspects of sample development before Finalization.
• Ability to manage seasonal calendar, adheres to product development deadlines and key benchmark meetings.
• Designs a balanced collection appropriate to the demands of the business growth strategy.
• Must have strong knowledge and understanding of the Anthropologie customer.
Business Acumen
• Manages a team to design and develop product for assigned product categories.
• Solutions oriented with ability to anticipate problems, address issues and resolve challenges in a timely manner.
• Maintains an organized design space (samples, files, visual CAD’s etc.) so that information is readily accessible to teammates.
• Monitors BOMS to confirm product info is complete, accurate and handed off to product development team and vendors on time for prototypes and samples.
• Work with in-house sample room to drape desired shape + draft pattern to send overseas or progress in house.
• Reviews all incoming samples to present at Finalization meetings; making sure submits are matching to standard.
• Effectively manages up.
Leadership
• With minimal supervision and high level creative direction, can design a large category or several smaller categories.
• Manages team to design and develop product for assigned product categories.
• Exhibits ethics in practice. Fosters a creative and positive teamwork environment. Promotes a culture of “we”.
• Supports Design Director throughout process, by anticipating needs or preparation for next phase, as well as, assuming full accountability for their team projects up to their point in process
• Is seen as a resource for cross-functional teams and peers.
• Demonstrates curiosity and asks questions to probe for clarity, confirm understanding, create consensus.
• Mentors and develops lower-level designers. Provides work direction to freelancers, temps and lower level designers.
• Communicates effectively, seeks out other opinions, responds well/ listens effectively to other’s ideas and suggestions.
• Presents ideas in a compelling manner, with clear focus and decision making.
Teamwork/ collaboration
• Understands the dynamics of effective teamwork in order to attain higher levels of performance.
• Maintains positive cross-functional partnerships with buying, product development, production and buying to achieve a cohesive and balanced product assortment.
• Review issues and solutions with Design Director and collaborate with cross-functional partners in buying, product development and production on a daily basis.
• Regularly solicits input/perspective from teammates, as well as direct reports.
• Collaborate with Print and Color team to ensure prints and pattern are balanced and look integrated across various silhouettes.
• Partners with Fabric team on seasonal raw material development.
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Drive
• Develop, demonstrate and maintain a strong knowledge of trends, target market demands, customer, brand objectives and design aesthetic.
• Takes ownership of entire design process from initial inspiration to final sample and is fully responsible for entire product life-cycle including trend research, inspiration, sketches, mock-ups, garment specs, special details and fit.
• Self-starter, who eagerly and proactively takes the initiative to gather information to get the job done.
• Creates and executes on the vision of Concept and Executive Design Director, ensuring that product is consistent with market trends in apparel, while maintaining the Anthropologie brand handwriting and business strategy.