Freelance Fashion Designer (Fall 2027 Collection Development)
Location: Remote (U.S. preferred)
Project Type: Freelance / Contract
Brand: Katydid
About Katydid
Katydid is a fast-growing women’s lifestyle brand carried by over 8,000 retailers nationwide. We design trend-forward apparel, accessories, gifts, drinkware, and headwear that bring fun, color, and personality to everyday life.
We’re looking for a talented Freelance Fashion Designer to help develop our Fall 2027 apparel collection, with a strong focus on outerwear, sweaters, sweatshirts, matching sets, activewear, lounge, and seasonal fashion trends.
What You’ll Do
• Research and forecast Fall 2027 fashion, color, fabric, and silhouette trends
• Develop new concepts for:
• Jackets, vests & outerwear
• Matching sets
• Activewear sets
• Pullovers & layering pieces
• Sweaters & knitwear
• Lounge & casual apparel
• Create apparel sketches and technical flats
• Develop color palettes, fabric recommendations, trims, and construction details
• Build professional tech packs for overseas production
• Present seasonal collection concepts and mood boards
• Collaborate directly with the Katydid team to refine designs
• Ensure collections align with Katydid’s feminine, colorful, trend-driven aesthetic
Qualifications
• 3+ years of fashion design experience
• Experience designing women’s apparel collections
• Strong understanding of trend forecasting and commercial product development
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop
• Experience creating production-ready tech packs
• Knowledge of fabrics, garment construction, fit, and manufacturing
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Preferred Experience
• Contemporary women’s apparel brands
• Boutique, resort, lifestyle, collegiate, or gift-focused brands
• Experience designing:
• Scuba sets
• Activewear
• Outerwear
• Sherpa and fleece products
• Fashion jackets and vests
• Matching family or themed collections
Deliverables
• Trend reports and inspiration boards
• Seasonal color direction
• Original apparel concepts
• Technical sketches and flats
• Production-ready tech packs
• Fabric and trim recommendations
To Apply
Please send:
• Resume
• Portfolio (required)
• Examples of outerwear, activewear, matching sets, or lifestyle apparel you’ve designed
• Your freelance rate (hourly or project-based)
• Availability for Fall 2027 development work
What We’re Looking For
We are not looking for basic graphic design. We want someone who understands how to build a commercially successful apparel collection—from trend forecasting and concept development through production-ready tech packs.
The ideal candidate can bring fresh ideas while understanding what sells in specialty retail and boutique channels, helping Katydid continue to create products that customers can’t wait to wear.
