Design Director – White Label, Men’s Wovens

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director – White Label, Men’s Wovens

Company: Rag & Bone

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Fashion Design & Merchandising Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: 10+ years (Inferred from 8+ years specified + leadership role)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development lifecycle for Rag & Bone's White Label Men's Wovens category, encompassing outerwear, tailoring, non-denim bottoms, and shirting.

• Drive seasonal design direction, trend research, and concept creation, ensuring alignment with the brand's modern American design ethos and denim authority.

• Oversee the technical design process, including the creation and accuracy of tech packs and design sheets for seamless hand-offs to the technical design team.

• Manage and mentor junior designers, fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment.

• Ensure product integrity through rigorous fitting sessions, maintaining accuracy in fit, construction, and material selection from prototype to production.

• Present design concepts and inspiration effectively to senior leadership and cross-functional partners, articulating the vision for the White Label offering.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is clearly within the fashion design operations sphere, focusing on product lifecycle management and creative direction within a specific brand segment (White Label Men's Wovens). The emphasis on "White Label" suggests a significant aspect of this role will involve balancing the core brand DNA with the specific requirements of a private label or distinct product line, requiring strong stakeholder management and understanding of partner/licensee needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth seasonal trend and vintage research, translating findings into actionable inspiration for the White Label Wovens collection.

• Develop original sketches, color palettes, and material suggestions that define the design direction for Outerwear, Tailoring, Non-Denim Bottoms, and Shirting categories.

• Create and maintain comprehensive tech packs and design sheets, ensuring clarity and accuracy for the technical design team's execution.

• Oversee the seasonal trim design and development process, ensuring all components align with the brand aesthetic and product quality standards.

• Lead and attend weekly fittings, meticulously reviewing prototypes and production samples to guarantee adherence to fit, construction, and material specifications.

• Prepare and deliver compelling design presentations at sketch, prototype, and Sales Material (SMS) stages to the Head of Men's Design and Creative Director.

• Maintain and update seasonal concept boards (physical and digital), ensuring all team members have access to the latest design direction and inspiration.

• Collaborate closely with merchandising, product development, and technical design teams to ensure cohesive product execution and brand alignment across all categories.

• Support the broader design team by organizing and preparing materials for key meetings, including sketch reviews, proto reviews, and market reviews, adhering to established timelines.

• Influence the holistic execution of the White Label offering by partnering with cross-functional peers to ensure cohesion and a unified lifestyle presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and operational execution. The emphasis on "setting design direction" and "influencing the holistic execution" points to a strategic role, while "completing tech packs" and "attending weekly fittings" underscores the hands-on operational aspects. The need to balance brand voice with partner/licensee requirements is a critical operational nuance for a White Label role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

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

Experience: 8+ years of specialized experience in wovens design, with a proven track record of leading design direction for a comprehensive product line. Minimum of 10+ years of overall experience in fashion design is inferred due to the Director level and leadership responsibilities.

Required Skills:

• Expert technical knowledge of Men's Wovens product categories, including outerwear, tailoring, non-denim bottoms, and shirting.

• Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for design creation and presentation.

• Strong understanding of textiles, materials, trims, and their application in garment construction.

• Proven ability to research trends, identify market opportunities, and translate them into innovative design concepts.

• Experience in creating detailed and accurate tech packs and design sheets for product development.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and mentoring junior design staff.

• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts and inspiration clearly to diverse audiences.

• Highly organized with a strong capacity for multi-tasking and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, product development, and technical design. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with White Label or private label design, demonstrating comfort in balancing brand voice with partner and licensee requirements.

• Knowledge of Miro for digital collaboration and concept visualization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "expert technical knowledge of Wovens product" is crucial. The "8+ years of wovens design experience" combined with the "Director" title strongly suggests a need for a candidate who has not only designed but also managed teams and product lines, thus inferring a higher overall experience level. The "White Label or private label design" preference is a key differentiator, indicating a need for adaptability and negotiation skills in managing external relationships.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection showcasing a strong portfolio of Men's Wovens design work, with a clear emphasis on outerwear, tailoring, non-denim bottoms, and shirting.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating leadership in design direction and product development for a full product line.

• Examples of original sketches, color-ups, material suggestions, and finished product photography.

• Evidence of technical proficiency through clear and comprehensive tech packs/design sheets.

• Documentation of trend research, seasonal mood boards, and inspiration presentations.

• Examples of collaboration with technical design, merchandising, and product development teams.

• If applicable, examples illustrating experience with private label or White Label projects, highlighting how brand voice was maintained while meeting partner requirements. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrations of a structured approach to seasonal design calendar management and adherence to key dates.

• Examples of workflow for research, concept development, design execution, and product fitting stages.

• Evidence of process for managing and mentoring junior designers within a team structure.

• Documentation of how cross-functional collaboration is facilitated to ensure brand alignment and cohesive product execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Director role in fashion, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just creative output but also strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of the product development process from concept to final sample. The inclusion of "White Label or private label" experience within the portfolio would be a significant advantage, requiring candidates to highlight their ability to navigate those specific business models.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $199,999 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Clothing Allowance

• Generous Employee Discount on Rag & Bone products

• Paid Parental Leave

• Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Ancillary Benefits

• 401k retirement savings plan

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, with potential for extended hours during peak seasons or critical project phases. This role is on-site, requiring full-time presence at the New York office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the expected compensation for a Design Director role in New York City within the fashion industry, considering the experience level and responsibilities. The benefits package is standard for a full-time position at a fashion company of this caliber, with specific perks like a clothing allowance and employee discount being highly attractive to industry professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fashion Apparel & Retail. Rag & Bone is a globally recognized brand known for its modern American design, high-quality denim, and New York attitude.

Company Size: Rag & Bone is a mid-to-large-sized company within the fashion industry. While specific employee numbers aren't provided, its global presence and established retail footprint suggest a robust operational structure. This size offers opportunities for significant impact and collaboration while maintaining a degree of agility.

Founded: Rag & Bone was founded in 2002, establishing a strong brand heritage and market presence. This history imbues the company with a deep understanding of its core DNA, particularly in denim, which informs its broader product categories.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Head of Men's Design, indicating a clear reporting line within the Men's Design department.

• The Design Director will likely lead a team of designers focused on the White Label Wovens categories, fostering a specialized unit within the larger design department.

• Close collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, product development, and technical design, highlighting a matrixed approach to product creation. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires research into trends and market insights to inform design decisions, suggesting a data-informed approach to creative output.

• Process Optimization: Responsibilities like creating accurate tech packs and managing fittings emphasize an operational focus on efficiency and product quality.

• Collaborative Execution: The emphasis on cross-functional teamwork indicates a methodology that relies on shared input and collective problem-solving to bring designs to life.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on "denim authority, a modern American design ethos, and New York attitude" provides a strong cultural anchor for this role. The "White Label" designation implies a need for designers who can translate this core brand DNA into a more accessible, everyday expression, possibly involving collaboration with licensees or partners, which requires a specific operational mindset.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position is a senior leadership role within the design operations function, specifically at the Director level. It signifies a significant level of responsibility for a key product category, requiring strategic oversight, team management, and a deep understanding of the product development pipeline. The role is critical in shaping the brand's offering in a significant segment of its menswear business.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports directly to the Head of Men's Design, placing them one level below the top design leadership for menswear. This position is instrumental in executing the Head of Men's Design's vision and ensuring its successful translation into tangible products.

Operations Impact: The Design Director has a direct impact on the commercial success of the White Label Wovens categories. Their decisions regarding design direction, product assortment, and quality standards directly influence sales, brand perception, and customer satisfaction. Effective leadership in this role contributes significantly to the overall revenue and profitability of the menswear division.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into a higher leadership role, such as Head of Men's Design or a broader creative director position overseeing multiple product categories.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term design strategy for the White Label offering and influence the overall brand direction.

• Mentorship & Development: Chance to cultivate and mentor emerging design talent, contributing to the growth and development of the internal design team.

• Cross-Category Exposure: Potential to gain broader exposure to other product categories within Rag & Bone, expanding design expertise and strategic understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Director" title signifies a strategic operational role. Growth opportunities should focus on advancements within design leadership and strategic product development, not solely creative execution. The emphasis on "influencing the holistic execution" and "driving cohesion of the total lifestyle" points to a role with significant strategic scope and impact on the business.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office-based work environment within Rag & Bone's New York headquarters. This fosters in-person collaboration and immersion in the brand's creative atmosphere.

Office Location(s): The role is based in New York, NY (ZIP code 10018), a prime location within a major fashion hub, offering access to industry resources, talent, and inspiration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is designed to facilitate interaction, with expectations for designers to work closely with merchandising, product development, and technical design teams. This suggests an open or semi-open plan, potentially with dedicated studio spaces.

• Tools & Technology: Access to essential design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop) and potentially collaborative platforms like Miro is expected. The workspace will likely be equipped with resources for physical mood boards and sample reviews.

• Team Interaction: Daily interaction with a dedicated design team, as well as regular touchpoints with senior leadership and cross-functional partners, will be integral to the role.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday. However, the fashion industry often requires flexibility, with potential for extended hours during critical periods such as collection development, market reviews, and pre-market preparation to meet demanding deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: An on-site role in fashion design in New York City implies a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The workspace context should emphasize the need for both individual creative focus and robust cross-functional collaboration, which is key to operational efficiency in product development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, technical skills, and alignment with the role's requirements.

• Portfolio Presentation: A key stage will involve presenting your design portfolio to the Head of Men's Design and potentially other senior leaders. This is an opportunity to showcase your creative vision, technical expertise, and leadership capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your design process, inspiration, and how you've driven successful product outcomes.

• Technical & Behavioral Interviews: Expect questions assessing your technical knowledge of wovens, understanding of the product development lifecycle, and your ability to lead teams and collaborate cross-functionally. Behavioral questions will focus on problem-solving, decision-making, and how you embody Rag & Bone's core values.

• Creative Challenge (Potentially): Some fashion companies may present a small design exercise or case study to assess your approach to a specific design brief or problem.

• Final Round: Discussions with higher-level leadership, potentially including the Creative Director, to ensure cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your expertise in Men's Wovens, outerwear, tailoring, and shirting. Highlight your leadership and end-to-end design process.

• Showcase Process: Include examples of your research, mood boards, sketches, color palettes, material selections, tech packs, and final product samples.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes related to your designs (e.g., successful product launches, sales performance, positive feedback).

• Highlight Leadership: If you have managed teams, provide examples of how you've mentored, guided, and developed designers.

• Address White Label Nuances: If you have White Label or private label experience, be prepared to discuss how you balanced brand consistency with partner requirements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Deeply research Rag & Bone's brand DNA, aesthetic, target customer, and current collections. Understand the distinction between White Label and Black Label.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of current and upcoming trends in menswear, particularly within the wovens categories.

• Technical Proficiency: Be ready to discuss fabrications, construction techniques, and trim details relevant to the product categories.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare for questions about how you would handle design challenges, manage conflicting feedback, or lead a team through a difficult design period.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the most critical component for a design role. Emphasize the need to showcase not just creativity but also operational rigor, leadership, and an understanding of the business context, especially for a "White Label" segment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for creating original sketches, technical drawings, and design layouts. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for creating mood boards, developing color palettes, manipulating imagery, and presenting design concepts.

• Miro (Preferred): A digital collaboration tool useful for creating shared mood boards, brainstorming sessions, and visual planning, which is increasingly important for remote or hybrid teams and cross-functional alignment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analytics role, understanding how design choices impact sales and performance is key. Familiarity with sales reports and merchandising data that informs design decisions is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but an understanding of how product information flows through PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems might be advantageous for efficient process management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Suite is standard for fashion design. The inclusion of Miro as a "plus" indicates a move towards digital collaboration tools, which is a key operational aspect in modern design workflows. Understanding how design impacts downstream operational systems like PLM is also a valuable differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Be a Good Human: This encompasses authenticity, originality, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity – values that should be reflected in design choices and team interactions.

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

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

• Quality Matters: A fundamental value in fashion, extending from the product itself to the people within the organization and the processes they follow. This means meticulous attention to detail in design and execution.

• Make Shit Happen: Emphasizes discipline, competitiveness, and a proactive, execution-focused mindset.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires seamless collaboration with merchandising, product development, and tech design. This suggests a culture of open communication and shared responsibility for product success.

• Process Review & Feedback: An environment where design concepts are openly reviewed and constructive feedback is given and received is essential for refinement and quality.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing of trends, market insights, and technical knowledge across teams to foster collective growth and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Rag & Bone's "Rules we live by" are direct indicators of their desired company culture. For a Design Director, embodying these values means translating them into design leadership, team management, and cross-functional interactions. The "Make Shit Happen" value, in particular, speaks to an operational imperative for execution and efficiency.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand DNA with White Label Requirements: Effectively translating the core Rag & Bone aesthetic into the more accessible "White Label" offering while satisfying partner/licensee needs is a primary challenge.

• Fast-Paced Fashion Cycle: Meeting demanding seasonal deadlines in a highly competitive industry requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring cohesive execution across multiple departments (merchandising, product development, tech design) requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously identifying and interpreting emerging trends in menswear wovens to maintain brand relevance and innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership: Developing strategic leadership skills to influence broader design direction and company initiatives.

• Industry Networking: Expanding professional network through industry events, trade shows, and collaborations.

• Mentorship: Gaining experience in mentoring and developing junior design talent, honing leadership and people management skills.

• Product Strategy: Deeper involvement in product assortment planning and strategic decision-making for the menswear category.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges should be framed in terms of operational hurdles within the fashion industry and this specific role. Growth opportunities should align with advancing within design leadership and strategic product development, reflecting the seniority of the position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach setting the design direction for the White Label Men's Wovens category, considering Rag & Bone's core brand identity and the specific needs of a White Label business?" (Focus on research, inspiration, and translation of brand DNA.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting feedback from different stakeholders (e.g., creative director, merchandising, technical design) on a key product. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making.)

• "Walk us through your process for developing a tech pack for a complex woven garment, from initial sketch to final handover to the technical design team. What are the critical elements you ensure are included?" (Focus on technical proficiency, attention to detail, and process understanding.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Rag & Bone's core values ('Be a Good Human', 'Have No Fear', etc.) resonate with your personal working philosophy and leadership style?" (Prepare specific examples of how you embody these values.)

• "How do you envision collaborating with our merchandising and product development teams to ensure the White Label offering is both creatively strong and commercially viable?" (Focus on cross-functional partnership and business acumen.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design work beyond aesthetic appeal? What metrics or indicators do you look at?" (Focus on impact, ROI, and business results.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation around key projects, explaining the brief, your process, challenges, solutions, and final outcomes.

• Highlight Leadership: For each project, articulate your role, your decision-making process, and any leadership or mentorship aspects.

• Showcase Technical Rigor: Clearly present examples of your tech packs and explain your understanding of construction and materials.

• Demonstrate Brand Fit: Explain how your design sensibility aligns with Rag & Bone's aesthetic, particularly the White Label's specific positioning.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Respect the interviewers' time by being focused, but also passionate and articulate about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also operational acumen, leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of the fashion business and Rag & Bone's specific market position.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

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

• Curate a compelling portfolio that specifically highlights your expertise in Men's Wovens, outerwear, tailoring, and shirting. Ensure it showcases your design process, technical skills (including tech packs), and any leadership experience. Tailor examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed product lines and collaborated cross-functionally.

• Optimize your resume to emphasize your 8+ years of specialized wovens design experience, leadership achievements, and proficiency in relevant design software (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop). Use keywords from the job description such as "Menswear Design," "Wovens," "Techpacks," and "Design Direction."

• Prepare a concise presentation of your portfolio, ready to discuss your design philosophy, process, and how you would approach the White Label Men's Wovens category at Rag & Bone. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently.

• Conduct thorough research on Rag & Bone, its brand identity, the distinction between White Label and Black Label, and current menswear trends. Understand their core values and be prepared to discuss how you align with their culture.

⚠️ 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.