Rag & Bone
Footwear Designer
New York, NY - Full Time
About rag & bone:
From our origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone was founded on a belief of uncompromising ideals: a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. To making things that are as original as they are timeless. To being true to ourselves, even when that truth sets us apart from the mainstream.
We still believe in the same principles we started with: the easy elegance of classic British tailoring, the authenticity of American workwear, and the originality of our home city, New York. As New Yorkers, community and authenticity have become synonymous with our brand. An inclusive environment at rag & bone upholds our original values by encouraging employee connection and empowering each individual to have a voice on policy, process, and collaboration for a more equitable future.
From our origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone was founded on a belief of uncompromising ideals: a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. To making things that are as original as they are timeless. To being true to ourselves, even when that truth sets us apart from the mainstream.
We still believe in the same principles we started with: the easy elegance of classic British tailoring, the authenticity of American workwear, and the originality of our home city, New York. As New Yorkers, community and authenticity have become synonymous with our brand. An inclusive environment at rag & bone upholds our original values by encouraging employee connection and empowering each individual to have a voice on policy, process, and collaboration for a more equitable future.
Position Summary
rag & bone is hiring a Designer who is passionate about footwear construction and current market trends. The ideal candidate should have a balance of creativity, conceptual thinking, organizational skills and attention to detail. The position requires a minimum of 6 years of experience in the footwear industry. This position will collaborate closely with Product Development, Production and Merchandising teams to build out seasonal collections that meet our business needs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Support the Director of Footwear to establish seasonal concepts aligned with the brand’s identity and creative vision.
- Execute footwear designs from concept through development, maintaining design integrity and quality throughout the process.
- Research market trends, materials, and competitive landscapes; translate insights into brand-relevant designs.
- Create and maintain detailed design sketches, CADs, and overviews to ensure accuracy and clarity throughout the process.
- Collaborate with Technical Design on lasts, constructions, trims, and tooling; review technical drawings and blueprints.
- Participate in fit sessions to evaluate prototypes and ensure alignment with design intent, quality standards, and comfort. Communicate changes internally and to factories.
- Collaborate with Product Development and Merchandising to ensure timely tech pack launches and collection deliverables.
- Manage assigned technical specifications and updates to ensure smooth Product Development handoffs.
- Contribute to the development of seasonal concept boards, materials, hardware, and finishes in collaboration with the creative team.
- Design prints as per direction from Design Director.
- Brief new developed materials with tanneries
- Ensure assigned deliverables align with the seasonal design and development calendar.
- Working knowledge of footwear construction, tooling, and technical development.
- Proficiency in digital and hand sketching; ability to create full-scale specs and compelling design presentations.
- Strong technical skills: Illustrator, Photoshop, CAD, MS PowerPoint, Excel.
- Strong material and color sensibility with a refined design eye.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Maintains in office requirements.
- Positive, proactive, and collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment.
- Self-motivated
- Organized, structured, asks questions and seeks understanding
- Pushes oneself to exceed expectations
- Ability to work autonomously and with initiative.
- Consistently pushes to exceed expectations.
The salary range for this position is $90,000-$105,000 based on experience and qualifications.
Rules we live by | Rules you live by
- Be a Good Human - Be original, be authentic. Stand for diversity, equitability & inclusivity.
- Have No Fear - Innovate, solve problems
- Own Every Decision - Work together, get results
- Quality Matters – Not only with product but we see it in our people
- Make Sh**t Happen - Be disciplined, be competitive
- Paid Time Off
- Clothing Allowance
- Generous Employee Discount
- Paid Parental Leave
- Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits
- Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits
- 401k
rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.