Design Director, Men's Denim

Posted Yesterday
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New York, NY, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Fashion • Retail
The Role
Lead Men's Denim design and expand into lifestyle categories. Own seasonal direction, product creation, fit, fabric and wash innovation. Manage development with sourcing, merchandising and marketing, mentor a growing design team, and ensure consistent brand expression and commercial execution for Denim and White Label.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
rag & bone is seeking a Design Director to lead Men’s Denim and some of the White Label driving the evolution of our smart casual, denim-led lifestyle and defining a clear, modern point of view for the collection.
Reporting to the Head of Men’s Design, this role is responsible for translating the broader creative vision into a focused, commercially viable product offering. The Design Director will own the development of a cohesive wardrobe anchored in denim, while expanding into a broader expression of the modern uniform.
The ideal candidate brings a strong design perspective, deep expertise in denim and fabrication, and the ability to execute with clarity, discipline, and consistency.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead Denim Execution
    • Drive seasonal design direction for Men’s Denim and some White Label in alignment with the Head of Men’s Design
    • Translate overarching brand vision into a clear and differentiated product assortment
  • Own Denim & Lifestyle Expansion
    • Lead design across denim, including fit, fabric, and wash innovation
    • Expand the denim lifestyle into shirting, knitwear, outerwear, accessories, and third pieces
    • Build a cohesive wardrobe system rooted in American sportswear, workwear, and denim-first styling
  • Product Creation & Development
    • Oversee the design process from concept through final development
    • Partner closely with product development, sourcing, and merchandising to ensure design integrity and execution
    • Elevate fabrication, construction, and finishing techniques across categories
  • Support Brand Expression
    • Execute a distinct visual and product language for White Label within the broader men’s strategy
    • Ensure consistency across product, styling, and seasonal storytelling
  • Team Leadership
    • Lead and develop a growing design team
    • Provide clear direction, feedback, and mentorship to drive creative and technical excellence
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Partner with merchandising to align on category growth and business objectives
    • Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to support go-to-market storytelling
Qualifications
  • 8–12+ years of men’s design experience, with a strong focus on denim and casual lifestyle
  • Proven experience owning a category or leading a business segment within a contemporary or premium brand
  • Deep knowledge of denim fabrication, wash development, and garment construction
  • Strong ability to translate creative direction into commercially successful product
  • Experience working within a larger creative structure while owning execution
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills
What We’re Looking For
  • A designer with a clear, confident point of view, grounded in product
  • Someone who understands how to build a denim-led wardrobe system, not just individual pieces
  • A leader who can bring focus, discipline, and consistency to a growing category
  • A strong executor who thrives within a collaborative, top-down creative structure
Why rag & bone
At rag & bone, we are grounded in the belief that great design comes from authenticity, craftsmanship, and a clear point of view. This role is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within the men’s design team, bringing the White Label vision to life and shaping the future of a modern, New York-based wardrobe.
​​​​​Rules We Live By I Rules You Live By
  • Be a Good Human - Be original, be authentic. Stand for diversity, equitability & inclusivity.
  • Have No Fear - Innovate, solve problems
  • Own Every Decision - Work together, get results
  • Quality Matters – Not only with product but we see it in our people
  • Make S**t Happen - Be disciplined, be competitive
Benefits
  • Paid Time Off
  • Clothing Allowance
  • Generous Employee Discount
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits
  • 401k
rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
 

Skills Required

  • 8-12+ years of men's design experience with strong focus on denim and casual lifestyle
  • Proven experience owning a category or leading a business segment within a contemporary or premium brand
  • Deep knowledge of denim fabrication, wash development, and garment construction
  • Strong ability to translate creative direction into commercially successful product
  • Experience working within a larger creative structure while owning execution
  • Excellent leadership and communication skills
  • Ability to build a denim-led wardrobe system across shirting, knitwear, outerwear, accessories, and third pieces
  • Experience partnering with product development, sourcing, and merchandising to ensure design integrity
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The Company
HQ: New York, NY
575 Employees
Year Founded: 2002

What We Do

Interested in joining one of the most dynamic fashion brands in the world? To view and apply to all headquarter and retail jobs at rag & bone, please visit our website and careers page: http://www.rag-bone.com/careers From its origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone instantaneously distinguished itself by combining British heritage with directional, modern design. Today, the brand has become synonymous with innately wearable clothing that innovatively melds classic tailoring with an edgy yet understated New York aesthetic. Inspired by a desire to create beautifully constructed clothes, rag & bone prides itself in the time-honored techniques of supremely skilled, local manufacturers at some of the oldest factories in the country. The importance of quality, expert craftsmanship and attention to detail resonated deeply, informing the brand’s core philosophy. With a downtown sensibility, signature clean silhouettes and an inherent integrity, rag & bone continuously redefines urban style. In 2007, rag & bone won the Swarovski Award for emerging talent in Menswear and in 2010, the brand was bestowed the industry’s most prestigious honor when named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). rag & bone offers a full range of men’s and women’s ready to wear, /JEAN, Standard Issue, footwear and accessories collections. rag & bone operates 35 stores worldwide, ten of which are in New York City. Stores are also located in Washington, D.C.; Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; Los Angeles, California; Greenwich, Connecticut; Aspen, Colorado; and Bal Harbour, Florida. International stores are located in London, UK; Tokyo, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; Taipei, Taiwan and Hong Kong. rag & bone is also available in boutiques and department stores in over 53 countries worldwide.

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