Free People Designer

Designer - Woven Tops

Free People is seeking a Designer - Woven Tops! We're looking for a creative, detail-driven designer to bring fresh, trend-forward ideas to our woven tops category for the Free People customer. In this role, you'll own the design process from concept through execution—developing original designs, building out tech packs, and partnering closely with cross-functional teams to bring each collection to life. You'll play a key role in shaping each season, using your expertise in woven fabrics, trims, and embellishment to create pieces that feel both innovative and true to the brand.

Role Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Design & Trend: Develop original designs and mock-ups for woven tops, researching current fashion trends and translating them into the Free People customer.
• Technical Design: Create detailed sketches and tech packs using Adobe Illustrator/Procreate for monthly design packages.
• Development: Collaborate with Design Directors on monthly collections, managing trim sourcing, BOM updates, and sample tracking.
• Fabric & Structure: Utilize in-depth knowledge of woven fabrications (soft to structured) to design innovative silhouettes, prints, and embellishments.
• Communication: Coordinate with vendors and cross-functional teams (production, buying, tech design) to ensure accurate, timely product execution.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Assistant Design Director to shape and present monthly trend concepts, seasonal narratives, and new design opportunities for the category.
• Take ownership of assigned design projects, driving creative development with initiative, strong aesthetic judgment, and disciplined follow-through.
• Generate original, brand-right concepts through sketching, research, and visual storytelling using Procreate, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI-based creative tools.
• Own all technical sketch development for monthly design packages, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timely updates throughout each phase of development.
• Manage the execution of design packages for assigned styles in close partnership with the Design Coordinator and Product Development team, supporting a smooth and informed development process.
• Contribute to trim development, BOM refinement, and detail execution to help elevate product and preserve design intent through sampling and production.
• Clearly communicate fit, construction, and design changes to cross-functional partners, including managing weekly fit recaps and escalating key changes when needed.
• Play an active role in Design Flow meetings by identifying open issues, aligning on next steps, and helping move work forward with accountability.
• Bring forward meaningful research on trend, color, fabric, and innovation to support category development and strengthen the overall design vision.
• Use draping, sewn mocks, hand sketching, and digital tools to communicate ideas effectively and bring design concepts to life for key reviews and presentations.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative team environment by preparing proactively for meetings, supporting deadlines, and helping drive creative excellence across the category.
• Operate with agility and a strong creative point of view in a fast-paced environment, responding thoughtfully to shifting priorities and business opportunities.

Role Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience preferred.
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience in women's apparel design preferred.
• Strong understanding of Free People's brand DNA and passion for exploring newness and pushing boundaries in apparel design.
• Demonstrated ability to forecast and interpret emerging fashion, cultural, and consumer trends, translating insights into relevant and inspiring category direction for the Free People customer.
• Fashion Design Portfolio that demonstrates the ability to create original, brand-right concepts through sketching, research, and visual storytelling using Procreate, Adobe Creative Suite, and AI-based creative tools.
• Strong understanding of soft woven apparel construction and design principles.
• Based in Philadelphia, PA, with the ability to work on-site at the Navy Yard 3–5 days per week.

The Perks

URBN offers comprehensive Perks & Benefits to employees. Availability and eligibility to specific benefits may be subject to your location and employment status. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, PTO, generous employee discounts, retirement savings and much more! For additional information visit www.urbn.com/work-with-us/benefits

EEO Statement

URBN celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We believe strongly in fostering a safe, fair and respectful work environment. To ensure compliance with our non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, we offer anti-harassment training to managers and employees.