Urban Outfitters Fabric Researcher (Philadelphia, PA)

Fabric Researcher

Tracking Code

4095

Job Description

Title: Fabric Researcher

Reports to: Assistant Design Directors or Managing Director

Objective: To constantly be sourcing and developing new fabrics for knits, wovens and intimates teams. Work in advance of designers to keep ahead of fabric trends and maintain fabric development calendar timeline while also working in collaboration with Designers with their specific fabric needs.

Responsibilities:

• Identify fabric trends as they develop and research new fabrics as envisioned by the design teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with fabric mills and familiarize yourself with both domestic and international markets. Travel as needed in order to do so.
• Identify core fabrics with design and merchant teams, have the ability to engineer fabrics into appropriate price points.
• Present fabric direction bi-monthly to design teams and upper management.
• Be aware of all deadlines, leadtimes and pricing needs in order to make appropriate fabric suggestions.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with the other design departments, design coordinators, production, tech, merchandising, sales and our agents.
• Maintain a fabric library of core fabrications that can be utilized as needed by all design departments.
• Keep track of all fabric liabilities.

Skills:

• Experience and knowledge of both domestic and international fabric mills and showrooms.
• Passion for identifying and researching fabrics.
• An understanding of what fabrics are suitable for the Free People customer.
• Creative and technical knowledge of developing new fabrics and finishes.
• Knowledge of washes for all fabrications preferred.
• Knowledge of fabric printing preferred.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

• Special projects as needed.

Posted by Kris Iringan