We are seeking a Lead Designer for Womenswear who brings refined design sensibility, strong merchandising awareness, and a modern, commercial approach to building product. Based in Vancouver, this role requires someone who can balance creativity with clarity, build a cohesive design vision, and confidently shape silhouette evolution, seasonal direction, and monthly drop strategy.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of European runway, vintage fashion and street trends, and will know how to translate them thoughtfully for the North American market. They instinctively understand the understated, effortless cool aesthetic that drives contemporary womenswear today and know how to express it through silhouette, proportion, fabric and details.

The Lead Designer will oversee the womenswear design function, managing a team of three designers and two womenswear product developers, collaborating closely with menswear, buying, sourcing and production, and senior leadership. Technical design reports into the Design function; Buying and Sourcing report into the Office of the President. The role is suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, growth-oriented environment.

The Brand

This is a modern lifestyle apparel brand known for its elevated essentials, technical innovation, and thoughtful design philosophy. The brand blends comfort, quality, and contemporary style, creating wardrobe solutions for customers who value practicality as much as aesthetics.

With a focus on refined silhouettes, purposeful fabrications, innovative knits, and intelligent details, the brand continues to evolve its womenswear offering with a commitment to modern utility, polish, and ease. The business retains a founder-led sensibility of innovation, quality, and design-led thinking.

Key Responsibilities

Creative Direction & Seasonal Planning

• Lead the womenswear creative vision and seasonal direction, managing 2 designers and 2 product developers.
• Develop seasonal themes, colour palettes, fabric direction, and silhouette evolution for each drop.
• Identify emerging trends from Europe and global markets and adapt them intelligently for the North American customer.
• Build cohesive concepts that support outfit-building and an elevated, understated aesthetic.
• Balance newness with functional ease, technical performance, and commercial focus.

Product Design & Development

• Lead multi-category womenswear design with strong consideration for proportion, fit, construction, and lifestyle use.
• Partner with Buying (reporting to the Office of the President) to build commercially sound, customer-focused assortments.
• Oversee fabric direction and work with international mills and vendor partners.
• Direct fit sessions, sampling, and development alongside the technical design team.
• Maintain calendar discipline, ensuring accuracy and alignment from concept through final sample.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Buying, Sourcing, Technical Design, Product Development, and Production teams.
• Communicate design intent clearly through sketches, tech packs, mood boards, and seasonal briefs.
• Support business objectives through informed product decision-making and design leadership.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor and guide the womenswear design team with clarity, structure, and creative leadership.
• Provide seasonal briefings, constructive feedback, and ongoing skill development.
• Foster a collaborative studio culture defined by curiosity, accountability, calm problem-solving, and cross-functional partnership.

Experience & Skills Required

• 10+ years of experience in womenswear design for vertical retail or lifestyle apparel brands.
• Proven ability to drive commercially successful multi-category assortments in the contemporary market.
• Strong ability to translate European trends for the North American market with a refined, wearable sensibility.
• Elevated fashion eye with expertise in silhouette development and fabric direction.
• Deep understanding of understated, effortless modern womenswear.
• Experience integrating utility-inspired details with polished, everyday wearability.
• Experience working with global mills and vendors.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, and technical development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing design teams in a fast-moving environment.

What’s On Offer

• A competitive salary aligned with experience.
• Benefits package including healthcare.
• Relocation assistance will be provided where required.
• Hybrid working based in Vancouver, four days in the office and one day from home.
• The opportunity to lead and shape multi-product womenswear within a modern and forward-thinking apparel brand.

📩 How to Apply:

Please submit your CV, a short cover note outlining three of your proudest commercial achievements and your PDF portfolio and/or website link. We're looking to see a selection of experience-based work reflecting the effortless cool aesthetic that drives premium womenswear today.