Location: New York City | Hybrid
Schedule: Hybrid with onsite work in NYC;
Engagement: W2 Contract
We are partnering with a growing, design-led fashion brand seeking an experienced Wovens Fabric Specialist to provide deep technical expertise across fabric selection and product development.
This individual will partner closely with the Creative Director and Production team to identify and evaluate woven fabrics that support the intended design, silhouette, and overall product vision. The ideal candidate brings exceptional knowledge of woven materials and understands how factors such as drape, weight, hand, construction, and performance impact the finished garment.
This is primarily a craft and technical expertise role. Existing mill and vendor relationships are highly valued, but the ability to advise the design team on selecting the right materials is the priority.
Responsibilities
- Guide woven fabric selection throughout product development
- Advise the design team on fabric properties, performance, and trade-offs
- Evaluate whether fabrics are appropriate for the intended silhouette and construction
- Present material recommendations based on creative direction, including drape, weight, hand, and performance
- Partner with mills to troubleshoot technical fabric challenges
- Ensure appropriate fabric testing is completed
- Research and identify highly specific or differentiated woven materials
- Recommend the best mills and sources for particular fabric types
- Develop and maintain relationships with mills and trim/hardware vendors
- Identify and onboard new material sources as needed
- Maintain fabric library information, including swatches, MOQs, lead times, and pricing
- Attend relevant industry trade shows such as Première Vision, Pitti, and Texworld and manage follow-up
- Support material ordering, logistics, and vendor communication as needed
Qualifications
- Deep technical expertise in woven fabrics and materials
- Experience advising on fabric selection within a design-led contemporary or luxury fashion brand
- Strong understanding of how fabric characteristics impact garment silhouette, fit, drape, and performance
- Experience working directly with mills on technical development and problem-solving
- Ability to identify and source specific or specialized fabrics based on a creative brief
- Strong communication and collaborative skills
- Existing mill and fabric sourcing relationships are a plus
- Experience negotiating with mills/vendors is a plus
This is a contract opportunity with a hybrid schedule in New York City. Candidates should be comfortable collaborating onsite as needed, with remote flexibility available depending on experience and project needs.
