Designer, Menswear

Position Summary:

As the Designer for Southern Proper, you will be responsible for the complete creative process, from initial concept to final product execution. Reporting to the Design Director, you will be a key player in shaping the brand's identity, developing original designs, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring collections to life.

Southern Proper leans into a Classic Traditional aesthetic—think heritage prep and polished casual rather than high-performance athletic wear. You will drive the design of our menswear collections, overseeing everything from trend research and color palette selection to providing fit comments and approving final samples. This role requires a highly creative designer who understands the nuance of licensed brands and can produce innovative, cohesive collections that align with our "classic" brand identity and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Creative Direction: Lead the design process from start to finish, including trend research, color palette selection, and mood board creation. You'll be responsible for generating Illustrator sketches and CAD designs that reflect a traditional, "lifestyle" aesthetic.
• Product Strategy: Partner with senior leadership to provide clear creative direction for fabric and print development. Ensure all products align with business goals, meet SKU requirements, and tell a strong merchandising story rooted in classic Americana.
• Collaboration & Presentation: Present new trends and collections to internal and external stakeholders. You will work closely with the merchandising team to define seasonal timelines and ensure creative and business goals are in sync.
• Product Execution: Oversee the approval of sales samples and provide fit comments to ensure each garment is production-ready. You will be responsible for staying on track with the time and action calendar to meet all deadlines.
• Mentorship: Help guide and mentor junior designers and interns, fostering a collaborative and creative team environment.

Qualifications:

• Experience: A minimum of 5+ years of professional design experience.
• Technical Expertise: Strong experience in Woven garment design is required (over knit-heavy backgrounds).
• Brand Background: Experience working with licensed brands is highly preferred
• Menswear: Proven track record in Menswear is a must.
• Software Skills: Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/Photoshop) is a requirement.
• Industry Knowledge: A background with heritage or classic traditional brands is strongly preferred. While we are in the golf space, this role focuses on the "less golfy," lifestyle side of the brand.
• Garment Construction: A solid understanding of garment construction, specifically regarding wovens, is essential.

Personal Attributes:

• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and meeting tight deadlines.
• Creativity: A highly creative individual with a passion for traditional style and a portfolio showcasing a cohesive, polished body of work.
• Communication: Strong presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate a creative vision to diverse audiences.