General Summary
The Sr. Dress Designer is responsible for leading design in assigned categories, translating creative direction into innovative, trend-right, and commercially viable products through in-depth market research, concept development, and advanced sketching. This position supports the Wholesale Apparel business.
The responsibilities described below are considered essential functions of the role. This position is based in our NYC office and requires working on-site.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with VP of Design and Associate Design Director to bring the collection from concept to reality, including but not limited to conceptual presentations, sketch review, design research, fabric & trim development, spec and fit processes
- Contribute to seasonal concept research as well as competitive market research. Needs to be on the pulse for identifying trends and key items for a quick turnaround
- Sketch into design concepts synthesizing design direction, price parameters, and feedback from Design Director and Sales
- Drive and oversee your own groups independently, ensuring details are communicated clearly and effectively to cross-functional partners and all deadlines are met
- Develop strong partnerships with cross-functional team members in Design, Production, Tech Design, and Print. Communication is key!
- Work independently with technical design team to ensure proper fit and proportions are met and follow-up with oversea factories on trim approvals
- Clearly communicate silhouettes and detailed garment construction through sketches, garment drapes, and reference material, with feedback and updates as needed
- Participate in all development and production fittings. Confident in leading fittings when needed
- Create and update all TP’s from development through to production
- Help with seasonal line sheet creation
- Follow-through and problem-solving development issues by style
- Maintain and communicate up-to-date development details, including sketches, style and pattern information, fabric information, colorways, and development notes
- Pro-actively coordinate with team members from Design, Product Development, and Fabric departments to make sure all information is current and correct through development, SMS, and production handover stages
- Excellent follow-up on development styles and any special projects requested
- Manage calendar and time in order to meet all milestone deadlines
- Able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with support and resources as needed
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
Specific Job Skills:
Essential duties include
- Knowledge identifying trends and key items for a quick turnaround
- Sketch into design concepts synthesizing design direction, price parameters, and feedback from Design Director and Sales
- Participate in all development and production fittings
- Confident in leading fittings when needed
- Follow-through and problem-solving of development issues by style
- Maintain and communicate up-to-date development details, including sketches, style and pattern information, fabric information, colorways, and development notes
- Pro-actively coordinate with team members from Design, Product Development, and Fabric departments to make sure all information is current and correct through development, SMS, and production handover stages
- Create and update all TP’s from development through to production
- Manage calendar and time in order to meet all milestone deadlines
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 4-year design school and 7+ years working experience in fashion industry focusing on dresses required
- Proficiency in fashion illustration/CAD work on Illustrator, Photoshop and Microsoft Office Suite is required
- PML knowledge is a plus
- The position requires an excellent taste level, strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, adaptability to a fast-paced environment, and the flexibility to work autonomously and in collaboration with members of the design, tech design, production team, fabric and product development teams.
- The ideal candidate is highly creative and hardworking, knowledgeable of fabrics, trims, garment sewing, and construction.
- Candidates should be able to conduct their own fittings independently and be fluent in construction when discussing with pattern makers.
- Must possess a brand appropriate design aesthetic
- Depth knowledge in dress construction and design (daytime and occasion dresses)
- Excellent communication and presentation skills as well as organizational skills and time management
- Knowledge of denim and prom dresses is a plus
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $110,000-$120,000. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 7 years working experience in fashion industry focusing on dresses
- Proficiency in fashion illustration/CAD work on Illustrator, Photoshop and Microsoft Office Suite
- Depth knowledge in dress construction and design (daytime and occasion dresses)
Steve Madden Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Steve Madden and has not been reviewed or approved by Steve Madden.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage plus FSAs, an EAP, and wellness initiatives such as health fairs, flu shots, and Wellness Wednesdays. Feedback suggests these offerings are robust for eligible full-time employees.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with company matching contributions is available. This provides structured support for long-term savings.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Employee merchandise discounts and extras like seasonal free shoes and third-party discount programs are emphasized. These lifestyle perks add tangible non-cash value to the total rewards package.
Steve Madden Insights
What We Do
Steven Madden, Ltd. is globally recognized as a leading company in the fashion industry. What began as a modest $1100 investment in 1990 has developed into one of the most iconic brands in footwear. From a factory in Queens, NY, Steve Madden has revolutionized the shoe industry, merging years of experience with unique and creative designs. Inspired by rock and roll and his NY roots, Steve’s vision to provide on-trend women and men with an outlet to express their individuality is innovative, daring, and inspiring. Steve’s innate understanding of trends and unparalleled willpower have resulted in millions of customers worldwide and propelled his designs to the forefront of fashion. In addition to marketing products under its own brands including Steve Madden®, Kurt Geiger London®, Dolce Vita®, Betsey Johnson®, Carvela®, Blondo® and ATM®, Steve Madden licenses footwear, handbags and other accessory categories for the Anne Klein® brand. In addition, Steve Madden designs and sources products under private label brand names for various retailers. Steve Madden’s wholesale distribution includes department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores. Steve Madden also directly operates brick-and-mortar retail stores and e-commerce websites. In addition, Steve Madden licenses certain of its brands to third parties for the marketing and sale of certain products in the apparel, accessory, and home categories. With an emphasis on retail, wholesale, licensing and international business, there's a constant need for new ideas and versatility. Our environment is extremely fast paced and requires associates to maintain a balance of energy and professionalism. Steve Madden is about fashion-forward product and great people. Our employees are energized, intelligent and passionate about our business and committed to providing excellent customer service.
