Freelance Technical Designer - Dresses & Wovens

Company Overview 

Founded by Santa Barbara-born sisters, Margaret and Katherine Kleveland, and a Collective of partners, DÔEN was launched in 2016 and is a digitally led, multi-channel fashion and lifestyle brand. Our mission is to create lasting, beautiful collections while supporting individuals in all aspects of the organization, supply chain, and community. We work with domestic and international partners who share our values and commitment to gender and social equality, and we give back by partnering with foundations that directly benefit our employees, value chain, and surrounding communities.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Classification: Freelance / Temporary
Location: Van Nuys, CA
Schedule: Onsite Monday–Thursday
Hourly Rate: $40.00–$50.00/hour, depending on experience

Position Summary

DÔEN is seeking an experienced Freelance Technical Designer specializing in dresses and women’s wovens to support our Technical Design team on a project basis. The ideal candidate has strong hands-on experience working with complex dress construction, woven fabrics, and feminine silhouettes, along with a deep understanding of garment construction, fit, patternmaking, and production execution. We are specifically seeking someone with meaningful dress experience beyond general woven categories, including experience working with detailed construction, delicate fabrics, and technically complex styles.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the technical development of women’s dresses and woven styles from initial development through production.
• Conduct fit sessions, identify fit and construction issues, and provide clear technical direction and corrections.
• Create, update, and maintain detailed tech packs, including measurements, construction details, fit comments, and specifications.
• Evaluate garments for fit, proportion, balance, construction, and overall execution while maintaining original design intent.
• Partner closely with Design and Product Development to translate creative concepts into technically sound, production-ready garments.
• Provide detailed fit and construction comments to vendors and factories and ensure revisions are accurately executed.
• Review patterns and identify necessary pattern corrections based on fit and construction needs.
• Apply strong knowledge of woven garment construction, particularly across complex dress silhouettes and lightweight or delicate fabrics.
• Troubleshoot technical and construction challenges throughout the development and production process.
• Review samples for workmanship, measurements, construction, and quality.
• Manage multiple styles and priorities in a fast-paced development environment while meeting critical deadlines.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Design, Product Development, Production, and other partners as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Technical Design experience within women’s apparel, with significant experience in dresses and wovens.
• Demonstrated experience working on complex dress construction and elevated feminine product.
• Strong understanding of garment construction, fit, grading, specifications, and patternmaking.
• Ability to confidently assess and communicate pattern corrections.
• Experience working with a range of woven fabrications, including lightweight and delicate materials.
• Strong understanding of how fabrication, construction, and pattern adjustments impact fit.
• Experience conducting fittings and communicating clear, actionable fit comments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple styles and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, highly creative environment.
• Experience within contemporary, premium, or designer women’s apparel strongly preferred.

This role requires onsite availability in our Van Nuys office Monday through Thursday.