Designer – Apparel & Accessories

It’s a jackknife mentality – the ability to accomplish more than what’s asked of you – that defines our culture of versatility and perseverance. We are a small company, on purpose. This role blends deep respect for heritage with a modern, AI-enabled design process—supporting cross-functional teams with fast, expressive visual storytelling and disciplined, production-ready execution. Design and develop apparel, bags, luggage, and accessories from concept through productionUse AI tools fluently to generate, iterate, and refine design concepts, illustrations, and visual narrativesSupport cross-functional categories with AI-driven sketches, renderings, and concept visuals to accelerate alignment and decision-makingManage styles within PLM, including creation and ongoing updates of tech packs, BOMs, measurements, and construction detailsPartner closely with Product Development to ensure designs are executable—supporting PD with informed decisions around washes, finishes, materials, and construction techniquesDemonstrate strong understanding of garment and soft goods construction, including stitch types, seam finishes, reinforcements, and durability requirementsConfidently toggle between performance-driven materials (technical synthetics, coatings, laminations) and classic heritage materials (natural fibers, waxed fabrics, leathers, twills, wools)Drive research & development in bags, luggage, and accessories—materials, hardware, finishes, and functional innovationSpeak fluent “factory talk”—able to collaborate directly with manufacturers and problem-solve within real production constraintsDesign with sensitivity to manufacturing parameters, lead times, efficiency, and quality standardsMaintain awareness of cost and margin targets, balancing product integrity with commercial viabilityApproach design with a franchise mindset, building cohesive product families that scale across seasons and categoriesStay deeply engaged in the market, fashion history, and cultural context—translating insights into relevant, durable productModernize Filson’s heritage with thoughtful, restrained, and functional design solutions 5+ years of design experience in apparel and/or accessories (bags and luggage experience strongly preferred)Demonstrated proficiency with AI tools for ideation, illustration, and concept developmentStrong technical foundation in materials, washes, finishes, and constructionDeep knowledge of fabric development, silhouettes, and form informed by fashion and design history (both apparel and bags)Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite, with strength in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesignExperience managing styles and workflows within PLM systemsProven ability to work within manufacturing, cost, and margin constraintsStrong visual storytelling and communication skillsCollaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-orientedPassion for heritage brands, outdoor culture, and product with purposeCapable at hand renderings for quick concept reviews