Design Director – Men’s Black Label Wovens

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director – Men’s Black Label Wovens

Company: Rag & Bone

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Fashion Design & Merchandising

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and execution for Rag & Bone's premium Black Label menswear collection.

• Oversee the end-to-end design and development process for the Wovens product line, including outerwear, tailoring, non-denim bottoms, and shirting.

• Drive creative direction through meticulous trend research, original sketch development, and material suggestion.

• Ensure product integrity through active participation in weekly fittings and collaboration with technical design teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a leadership opportunity within a premium fashion brand, requiring a blend of creative vision, technical expertise in menswear wovens, and strong cross-functional collaboration skills. The "Black Label" designation signifies a focus on refined, tailored, and high-quality lifestyle apparel.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive seasonal trend and vintage research to inform design direction and brand lifestyle alignment.

• Generate original design sketches, color palettes, and material recommendations for RTW Outerwear, Tailoring, Non-Denim Bottoms, and Shirting categories.

• Direct the preparation of detailed tech packs and design sheets, ensuring clarity and accuracy for the technical design and product development teams.

• Oversee the design and development of seasonal trims, ensuring they align with the overall product aesthetic and quality standards.

• Actively participate in weekly fittings from prototype through production, verifying fit, construction, and material accuracy at each stage.

• Collaborate with the Head of Design to effectively present design concepts and inspiration to internal teams, the Creative Director, and cross-functional partners.

• Create and maintain seasonal design boards (physical and digital), ensuring they are consistently updated with new concepts, market feedback, and fitting notes.

• Drive the Black Label design vision by fostering strong collaboration with merchandising, product development, and technical design teams to maintain brand alignment.

• Provide support to the broader design team in organizing and preparing for key meetings, such as sketch reviews, proto reviews, and market reviews, adhering to established timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with significant leadership and strategic input. The emphasis on "driving the vision" and "collaboration" indicates a need for strong interpersonal and communication skills alongside design acumen. The detailed involvement in fittings and tech packs points to a requirement for a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field.

• Equivalent professional experience in fashion design will be considered. Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in fashion design, with a demonstrated focus on menswear.

• Proven experience in technical design and product development for woven categories, including outerwear, tailoring, bottoms, and shirting. Required Skills:

• Exceptional creative thinking and a strong passion for menswear fashion.

• Proficient technical knowledge of Wovens product categories (outerwear, tailoring, bottoms, shirting).

• Strong understanding of textiles, materials, and trims, including their application and performance.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for sketching, design development, and presentation.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multi-task effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and inspiration clearly.

• Experience in trend research and market analysis to inform design direction.

• Ability to manage and maintain design boards (physical and digital). Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of Miro for collaborative design and ideation.

• Experience with the full product development lifecycle, from concept to production.

• Familiarity with the Rag & Bone brand aesthetic and its "Black Label" positioning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a balance of creative talent, technical expertise in menswear wovens, and proficiency in industry-standard design software. The preference for Miro suggests a modern, collaborative approach to design. The "5-10 years" experience level indicates a need for seasoned professionals capable of leading design initiatives.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of menswear design principles, with a particular emphasis on woven categories (outerwear, tailoring, bottoms, shirting).

• Examples of original design sketches, technical flats (tech packs), and mood boards that demonstrate seasonal inspiration and design execution.

• Visual documentation of product development process, including material selection, trim development, and fitting adjustments.

• Case studies illustrating the successful development of a product line from concept to market-ready samples, highlighting problem-solving and decision-making.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (e.g., product development, merchandising) to achieve design objectives. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management for design projects, including how seasonal calendars and deadlines are managed.

• Documentation of how trend research and market analysis are translated into tangible design concepts and line plans.

• Demonstrations of how technical specifications and design details are communicated to product development and technical design teams.

• Evidence of how fittings are conducted and how feedback is incorporated into product revisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates will be expected to present a portfolio that not only showcases creative talent but also demonstrates a structured approach to the design process, technical proficiency, and collaborative capabilities. The focus on "process documentation" suggests an interest in how candidates manage their workflow and integrate with the broader product lifecycle.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $175,000 - $200,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off

• Clothing Allowance

• Generous Employee Discount

• Paid Parental Leave

• Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Ancillary Benefits

• 401k

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Design Director role in New York City's fashion industry, reflecting the seniority and scope of responsibility. The benefits package is comprehensive, aligning with industry standards for established apparel companies. The role is designated as full-time and on-site.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Apparel & Retail. Rag & Bone is a contemporary fashion brand known for its blend of British heritage and modern American style, emphasizing quality craftsmanship and timeless design.

Company Size: Rag & Bone is a well-established global brand, likely falling into the medium to large enterprise category with several hundred to a few thousand employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for impact while benefiting from established infrastructure.

Founded: Rag & Bone was founded in 2002. This history suggests a company with a solid brand identity and a proven track record in the competitive fashion market.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will report directly to the Head of Design, indicating a clear reporting hierarchy within the design department.

• This role will likely lead a team of design assistants and potentially junior designers focused on the Wovens category.

• Close collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams including Merchandising, Product Development, Technical Design, and potentially Marketing and Creative departments. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role emphasizes research (trend, vintage) and collaboration with merchandising, suggesting a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Process Optimization: Responsibilities like directing techpack preparation and overseeing fittings highlight a focus on efficient and accurate product development processes.

• Brand Alignment: A core aspect is ensuring the design vision for "Black Label" aligns with the overall Rag & Bone brand identity and lifestyle direction.

Company Website: https://www.rag-bone.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Rag & Bone's culture is characterized by a commitment to quality, originality, and a blend of heritage and modernity. The "Rules we live by" section further emphasizes values like integrity, innovation, accountability, quality, and a proactive approach. This suggests a dynamic yet structured work environment where individual contribution and teamwork are highly valued.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design function, equivalent to a Director or Senior Manager in other industries. It requires significant experience, creative leadership, and the ability to manage projects and potentially a team.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports to the Head of Design, who in turn likely reports to a higher-level executive such as the Chief Creative Officer or CEO, depending on the company's organizational structure. This position is a key leadership role within the design department.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's work directly influences product assortment, brand perception, and ultimately, revenue. By defining the "Black Label" aesthetic and leading the Wovens line development, this role shapes a significant portion of the company's offering and its appeal to a discerning customer base. Success in this role contributes directly to sales performance and brand equity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a Head of Design role or take on broader responsibilities across other product categories as the company evolves.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Opportunities to contribute more significantly to the overall brand's creative and product strategy.

• Mentorship: As a senior leader, the opportunity to mentor and develop junior design talent within the organization.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Deepened understanding and collaboration across merchandising, product development, and marketing functions can lead to broader career paths within the fashion industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a significant step for a mid-to-senior level designer looking to lead a specific product category within a respected fashion brand. The growth potential is tied to demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, and consistent delivery of high-quality, on-brand designs.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in New York City, indicating a traditional office environment within Rag & Bone's headquarters or design studio.

Office Location(s): New York, NY 10018. This location is in the heart of Manhattan, likely providing access to industry resources, showrooms, and a vibrant creative community.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be a collaborative design studio environment, facilitating interaction with the design team and cross-functional partners.

• Access to essential design tools, including Adobe Creative Suite and potentially digital collaboration platforms like Miro, will be standard.

• The environment will likely foster creativity, with mood boards, fabric swatches, and design inspiration readily available.

• Regular team meetings, design reviews, and fittings will be integral to the daily workflow.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. However, the fast-paced fashion industry often requires flexibility and dedication to meet seasonal deadlines and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in New York City is typical for senior design roles in fashion, facilitating necessary collaboration and access to industry resources. The environment is expected to be dynamic, creative, and deadline-driven, aligning with the "Make Shit Happen" company value.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and conduct initial phone screens to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will be asked to present their portfolio to the Head of Design and potentially other senior design or merchandising team members. This is a critical stage to evaluate design aesthetic, technical skills, and communication abilities.

• Technical & Creative Assessment: This may involve a design exercise or a deeper dive into past projects to assess problem-solving skills, technical knowledge of wovens, and creative process.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Merchandising, Product Development, and Technical Design to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of the broader product lifecycle.

• Final Interview: A meeting with a senior executive (e.g., Creative Director or Head of Design) to discuss strategic vision, leadership potential, and final cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Focus on menswear, particularly Wovens categories (outerwear, tailoring, shirting, bottoms). Showcase your best work that aligns with Rag & Bone's aesthetic and the "Black Label" premium positioning.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain your inspiration, design process, material choices, technical considerations, and the outcome. Highlight your role and contributions.

• Demonstrate Technical Proficiency: Include clear examples of sketches, technical flats/tech packs, and trim development. Show your understanding of garment construction and materials.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples of how you've worked with other departments (merchandising, tech design) to bring a product to life.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, trend interpretation, problem-solving approach, and how you handle feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design challenge that requires you to create sketches, select materials, and articulate your design rationale for a specific brief within a time limit.

• Trend Analysis: Brush up on current menswear trends, particularly those relevant to tailored and premium casual wear. Be ready to discuss how you would translate these trends for Rag & Bone.

• Brand Understanding: Thoroughly research Rag & Bone's history, current collections, and brand ethos, especially the "Black Label" segment. Understand their competitive landscape.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely rigorous, emphasizing both creative talent and the ability to execute within a commercial framework. A strong, tailored portfolio and the ability to articulate a clear design vision and process are paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating technical flats, sketches, and design layouts.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for mood boards, color palettes, fabric renderings, and visual presentations.

• Miro: Preferred for collaborative design ideation, mood boarding, and cross-functional brainstorming.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, experience with tools that provide market trend data or sales performance insights would be beneficial for informing design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the design function, but understanding how design inputs feed into PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) or ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is a non-negotiable requirement. The mention of Miro suggests a modern, collaborative approach to design workflows. While direct CRM or automation tool experience isn't listed, an understanding of how design data integrates into broader business systems is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be a Good Human: Emphasizes originality, authenticity, diversity, equity, and inclusivity in design and team interactions.

• Have No Fear: Encourages innovation, problem-solving, and taking calculated risks in design.

• Own Every Decision: Promotes accountability, teamwork, and a results-oriented approach to design development.

• Quality Matters: A core value that extends from product quality to the caliber of people and their contributions. This means meticulous attention to detail in design, materials, and execution.

• Make Shit Happen: Instills a sense of discipline, competitiveness, and a proactive drive to achieve goals and deliver on time.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires strong collaboration with merchandising, product development, and technical design to ensure cohesive product creation.

• Open Communication: Encourages clear articulation of ideas and constructive feedback during design reviews and fittings.

• Team Support: A culture of mutual support within the design team, assisting each other to meet deadlines and achieve collective goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rag & Bone's "Rules we live by" are integral to their culture. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with these values, particularly in their approach to creativity, collaboration, accountability, and quality. The emphasis on "Make Shit Happen" suggests a dynamic, fast-paced environment where execution is key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Viability: Translating high-level design concepts into marketable products that meet sales targets and brand positioning.

• Managing Multiple Product Categories: Overseeing the design process for a diverse range of woven products (outerwear, tailoring, shirting, bottoms) requires strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• Fast-Paced Fashion Cycles: Adhering to strict seasonal deadlines and adapting quickly to market shifts and feedback.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring all stakeholders are aligned with the design vision and that technical and production requirements are met.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to refine skills in specialized areas of menswear tailoring, outerwear construction, or fabric innovation.

• Brand Strategy Involvement: Deeper engagement with the brand's overall creative direction and strategic planning.

• Leadership Development: Potential for formal training or hands-on experience in managing and mentoring a design team.

• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of fashion trends, attending trade shows, and networking within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges related to the fast-paced and competitive nature of the fashion industry. However, these challenges also present substantial opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and direct impact on a globally recognized brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new menswear collection, from initial concept to final sample." (Focus on research, sketching, material selection, tech pack development, and fitting.)

• "How do you ensure your design vision aligns with a brand's established aesthetic and commercial objectives, especially for a premium line like 'Black Label'?" (Highlight your understanding of brand identity, market research, and collaborative approach.)

• "Walk us through a challenging product development scenario you faced, detailing how you collaborated with technical design or merchandising to resolve it." (Emphasize problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Rag & Bone and specifically the 'Black Label' menswear Wovens category?" (Research the brand's history, recent collections, and values.)

• "How do you embody Rag & Bone's 'Rules we live by' in your professional work?" (Connect your experiences to their core values like quality, innovation, and accountability.)

• "Describe your ideal collaborative relationship with merchandising and technical design teams." (Focus on open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by season or by product category (outerwear, tailoring, etc.).

• Highlight Wovens Expertise: Clearly showcase your technical understanding of fabrics, construction, and fit for Wovens.

• Showcase "Black Label" Potential: Present work that demonstrates a refined, tailored, and premium aesthetic.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, discuss the success of your designs (e.g., sales performance, positive feedback).

• Be Engaging: Practice your narrative. Explain your thought process, design choices, and problem-solving skills with confidence and clarity.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of menswear, technical Wovens design, and the ability to operate within a structured, brand-conscious environment. Your portfolio is your primary tool, so ensure it's polished, relevant, and tells a compelling story of your design capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Rag & Bone careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume prominently features your experience in menswear design, Wovens categories, technical design, and proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio that specifically highlights your work in menswear, focusing on outerwear, tailoring, bottoms, and shirting. Ensure it showcases your technical skills, creative process, and understanding of premium product development.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on key projects that demonstrate your ability to lead design, collaborate effectively, and deliver on brand vision and commercial requirements.

• Research Rag & Bone: Familiarize yourself with the brand's aesthetic, history, current collections, and company values ("Rules we live by") to articulate your fit and enthusiasm during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.