Full-Time
Senior Designer
Denim
Updated on 9/12/2026
Aéropostale
5,001-10,000 employees
Youth-focused casual apparel and accessories retailer
Compensation Overview
$89.1k - $131.6k/yr
New York, NY, USA
In Person
Bachelor's
 Product & Experience Design (1) |
|---|
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- A bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, or a related field.
- At least 6 years of denim design experience within the apparel industry, preferably in contemporary, lifestyle, specialty retail, or youth-focused brands.
- Extensive knowledge of denim fabrics, construction techniques, garment washes, finishes, fits, and manufacturing processes.
- Strong understanding of current fashion trends, consumer behavior, and the global denim market.
- Exceptional sketching, illustration, and presentation skills, including the ability to create detailed technical flats.
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, Microsoft Office, and product lifecycle management systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional partnerships throughout the product creation lifecycle.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience mentoring and developing junior design talent.
- Knowledge of artificial intelligence-driven design and visualization tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Vizcom, or similar technologies, to support ideation, concept development, and product visualization.
- Lead the design and development of seasonal denim collections across assigned categories, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetic, customer needs, and business goals.
- Establish and communicate seasonal design concepts, storytelling, color direction, wash strategies, and fabric platforms.
- Research and interpret global denim trends, vintage inspiration, cultural influences, runway collections, social media, and market developments to inform product direction.
- Translate trend insights into innovative, commercially viable denim products through sketches, wash developments, fabric selections, and design detailing.
- Drive innovation in silhouette, fabrication, fit, finishing techniques, and sustainability initiatives where appropriate.
- Develop detailed design specifications and technical packages that communicate design intent, construction requirements, trims, washes, and finishing details.
- Oversee all stages of wash development, including concept approvals, strike-offs, lab dips, sample reviews, and bulk approvals.
- Lead fit reviews and provide direction on proportions, construction, and garment refinements to achieve optimal fit and product performance.
- Review and approve prototypes, fit samples, sales samples, and production samples to ensure consistency, quality, and brand standards.
- Partner with Technical Design and Product Development teams to balance design vision with functionality, quality, and manufacturability.
- Collaborate with Merchandising to develop balanced assortments that support category strategies, customer demand, sales goals, and margin objectives.
- Work with Sourcing and Production teams to identify fabric, wash, and trim opportunities that deliver innovation and value.
- Maintain communication with vendors and factory partners to ensure accurate execution of design specifications and quality standards.
- Support seasonal line reviews, presentations, and key milestone meetings with clear design rationale and product recommendations.
- Conduct ongoing competitive shopping and market research across retail channels, digital platforms, and social media to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
- Analyze sales performance, customer insights, and market data to inform future assortment strategies and product innovation.
- Monitor industry advancements in denim technologies, sustainable materials, wash techniques, and manufacturing processes.
- Mentor and develop junior design team members by providing guidance on creative development, technical skills, and professional growth.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and solution-oriented team environment.
- Promote excellence in design execution, organization, and process management across the team.
- Manage seasonal calendars and ensure all design deliverables are completed on schedule.
- Maintain organized records of seasonal developments, inspiration materials, wash libraries, fabric archives, and design documentation.
- Support continuous improvement of design processes, tools, and workflows.
- Experience in contemporary, lifestyle, specialty retail, or youth-focused brands.
Aéropostale is a retailer that sells casual, trendy clothing and accessories for teenagers and young adults. It reaches customers through both physical stores and an online store, offering items such as tops, T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and accessories at affordable prices. The way its products work is by stocking fashion-forward items and releasing new arrivals frequently so shoppers can find current looks in-store or online. The company differentiates itself from competitors by targeting a youth-focused brand with accessible pricing and a seamless mix of brick-and-mortar and online shopping to reach a broad audience. Its goal is to provide stylish, affordable fashion for teen and young adult consumers while engaging in philanthropic activities, like partnerships with Best Friends Animal Society and encouraging checkout donations.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Debt Financing
Total Funding
$364M
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
N/A
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- June 2026 Rewards Access launches Aéropostale's first loyalty program, immediately expanding retention.
- August 2026 Von Dutch collaboration targets younger shoppers before September 2 store rollout.
- Grips Intelligence estimates 2025 online sales at $149.4 million and 2026 growth above 50%.
What critics are saying
- Catalyst Brands cut 250 jobs in February 2025 and 9% more in April 2025.
- Aéropostale closed Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, showing continued mall contraction.
- Another Chapter 11 or forced asset sale remains plausible if traffic and margins weaken.
What makes Aéropostale unique
- Catalyst Brands links Aéropostale with J.C. Penney loyalty, credit, and store traffic.
- Aéropostale still sells teen mall-fashion through 1,000-plus locations across multiple regions.
- Collaborations with Von Dutch, Quiksilver, and ROXY keep the brand culturally adjacent.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Employee Discounts
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 8%1 year growth
↑ 8%2 year growth
↑ 8%Aéropostale helps bring back once-controversial brand. August 29, 2026 Aéropostale is partnering with a once-controversial brand to launch one of its latest collaboration collections as its partner works through a major transformation. Not many brands have managed to navigate a business turnaround quite like Aéropostale. From becoming a mall staple to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016 due to declining sales and falling foot traffic, closing more than 100 stores, and being delisted from the NYSE, the company has emerged from what might have seemed an irreversible decline. Aéropostale has rebranded and worked to regain relevance among teens and young adults. Partnerships with other brands have become an important part of that strategy, and now the retailer is using its audience and retail presence to help bring another brand back into the spotlight. Aéropostale releases new collaboration with Von Dutch. Aéropostale has teamed up with Von Dutch for the first time to launch a limited-time collection that aims to reintroduce the early-2000s brand to a new generation while giving its recognizable aesthetic a fresh take. The collection features more than 30 pieces for men and women, including matching sets, sweats, hoodies, fleece, beanies, tanks, and graphic tees. The pieces are priced between $20 and $45, offering a lower price point than comparable full-price apparel on Von Dutch's retail website, where items currently range from $30 to $160. The Aéropostale x Von Dutch collection will be available exclusively on the Aéropostale app from Aug. 27 to Aug. 28 before launching in stores and online on Sept. 2. Why Von Dutch is partnering with Aéropostale. Von Dutch's partnership with Aéropostale is intended to expand the brand's awareness and relevance among younger consumers by leveraging Aéropostale's established audience and physical retail presence. Although Aéropostale does not publish quarterly earnings reports because it is a private company, ECDB estimated its 2025 annual revenue at $85 million, representing a 50% to 55% increase over the previous year. ECDB also estimates Aéropostale could see revenue growth of 10% to 15% in 2026 compared to 2025. The downfall of Von Dutch. Created in 1999, Von Dutch is named after the late artist Kenny "Von Dutch" Howard, whose trademark rights were acquired by the brand's founders from his daughters. Howard himself had no involvement in the brand. Von Dutch quickly became popular in the early 2000s for its punk-rock streetwear and trucker hats, along with its recognizable logo and bold patterns such as flames and pinstripes. The brand also became closely associated with pop culture after being worn by celebrities including Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, and Justin Timberlake. However, in the late 2000s, counterfeit products became a major issue for the brand. Von Dutch claimed that it was the second-most counterfeited label at the time. In an effort to regain its exclusivity, Von Dutch began collaborating with companies outside of its traditional audience. The strategy did not restore the brand's previous level of cultural relevance, and the label gradually lost some of the appeal that had made it a defining name in early-2000s fashion. "I remember one day I looked in my closet and I had so much Von Dutch, and I just couldn't look at it anymore. I got rid of everything," Paris Hilton said in "The Curse of Von Dutch: A Brand to Die For," which aired on Hulu. Then, in May 2004, a letter Howard had written shortly before his death in 1992 was leaked to the press. The letter contained racist and antisemitic remarks. Although Howard was only the namesake and had no involvement with the company, the controversy added to the challenges facing Von Dutch and further damaged the brand's image. Von Dutch began widespread store closures in the late 2000s. Its business eventually shifted toward a lighter-asset model, with the company shutting down its physical U.S. stores and making the brand available primarily online and through retail partners in the U.S. and international markets. However, Von Dutch never filed for bankruptcy or ceased production entirely. The revival of Von Dutch. Von Dutch was acquired by White Space Group (WSG) in 2024. The company acknowledged that the brand had largely faded from the U.S. market, with a significant decline in consumer engagement and retail presence. However, WSG said it saw an opportunity to rebuild the brand. According to a company announcement, its strategy includes restoring Von Dutch's relevance, rebuilding its infrastructure, expanding its distribution, and introducing the brand to a new generation of consumers. Since the acquisition, Von Dutch has been working to reposition the brand, expand its distribution channels, strengthen retail partnerships, and introduce new collections. The company's strategy has also placed a greater emphasis on collaborations that match, giving Von Dutch opportunities to reach consumers through established fashion and retail brands such as Aéropostale. "In under two years, Von Dutch has grown into a nine-digit business, achieving global expansion across key wholesale, retail, and direct-to-consumer platforms," said WSG. "The brand's resurgence has been fueled by strategic collaborations, enhanced marketing initiatives, and a renewed focus on quality, authenticity, and cultural relevance."
From Yamal to the mall: How American Eagle is going back to school. CMO Craig Brommers details the retailer's extensive marketing for the crucial season, which kicks off days after global ambassador Lamine Yamal and his team won gold at the World Cup. Published July 22, 2026 First published on American Eagle on Wednesday began rolling out its campaign for the crucial back-to-school season, per details shared with sister publication Marketing Dive. The effort will span social programming, experiential activations and brand advertising, including a 30-second ad running on YouTube and paid social. Overall, the marketing will focus on culture around malls, campus life and sports. The sports angle is particularly well-timed: Lamine Yamal, the Spanish soccer star who signed a five-year global ambassador deal with the brand in January, just helped his national team to World Cup gold on Sunday. The 19-year-old phenom kicked off his first campaign with the brand last month, and will now have an even bigger role in the back-to-school push. "I'm not saying this as a CMO who sometimes can be over dramatic: This is the most exciting talent partnership in our future, and we just can't believe that all the stars aligned, and everything that we dreamed of is coming true in real time," American Eagle Chief Marketing Officer Craig Brommers told Marketing Dive. "It's reflective of what happens in modern marketing today: best laid plans, then something exciting happens, then you pivot and try to take full advantage of it." American Eagle quickly worked to celebrate Yamal after Spain's World Cup win, temporarily changing its name to Lamine's Eagles and declaring its Instagram page "a Lamine Yamal fan account." The brand also rolled out social ads featuring Yamal and soccer balls that give a CGI spin to ads that recently ran on Times Square billboards. "This American Eagle marketing team is working around the clock to make sure that we are amplifying Lamine into this back-to-school season," Brommer said. "The team is not done coming up with some new tricks and surprises as we build into a product collaboration launch closer to the Labor Day weekend." American Eagle seems to have a knack for finding the right celebrity partners at the right time. The brand last year memorably teamed with actor Sydney Sweeney for a campaign that, while controversial, helped attract new customers and briefly reversed a negative sales trend. American Eagle in February launched a campaign with Ella Langley, the country singer whose song "Choosin' Texas" just notched a 14th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Both Sweeney and Langley will feature in the back-to-school effort. "I never feel like talent should define a brand, but the right talent can certainly amplify a brand," Brommers said. Gen Z returns to the mall and campus. Along with its heavyweight brand partners, American Eagle will focus on engaging Gen Z in other arenas as part of its back-to-school campaign, chief among them the mall. The cohort's share of foot traffic at malls increased 57% year over year, according to PwC data cited by the brand - a behavior change that also informed a recent effort by American Eagle competitor Aéropostale. "We are back to basically pre-pandemic mall traffic... and that mall traffic is being driven by young people that want to be back in real life, making real connections with real people. We will have more in-mall activations this season than at any time of my CMO tenure over the last five years," Brommer said. To tap into Gen Z's return to the mall, American Eagle will roll out in-store events, discount days, store-exclusive denim drops and more. Customers who try on jeans in store and scan a QR code during the first week of August will have a chance to win jeans for life, and the brand will encourage its creator community to head to their local store for product discovery and content creation. "When someone takes the time and effort to get in their car, pay those gas prices, park and go into a mall, it isn't a transaction anymore. They want an experience," Brommers said. "This is now as important as thinking about your creative campaign or your media strategy. It's now plotting out how you can engage with Gen Z in real time, in real life." To bridge the physical-digital divide, American Eagle will launch a social-first, influencer-led content series called "Mall Diaries" that attempts to capture the spontaneity and social connection of the mall, with a dose of Y2K nostalgia that has proven to be an effective tactic for engaging Gen Z consumers. Beyond the mall, the brand in August will head to college campuses, focusing on sorority chapters at schools including the University of Alabama, Arizona State University, the University of Florida and Ohio State University. The influencer-led partnerships will feature product displays, giveaways and room makeover content as the brand seeks to tap into #RushTok, the social media trend around sorority recruitment.
J.C. Penney, Aéropostale link loyalty programs. Customers who shop at both retailers can earn points to redeem at either one. Both companies are part of the Catalyst Brands portfolio. Published June 26, 2026 By Tatiana Walk-Morris Dive brief: * J.C. Penney and Aéropostale are connecting their respective loyalty rewards programs to form the J.C. Penney x Aéropostale Rewards Access program, according to a Monday press release. * This marks the first time Aéropostale has had its own loyalty program. Now, when customers spend money at J.C. Penney or Aéropostale online, in-store or via their mobile apps, they can redeem those points for future purchases at both companies. * Shoppers who sign up for the joint program will receive $10 CashPass rewards from J.C. Penney or $5 from Aéropostale, then earn $10 in CashPass for every 200 points they earn. J.C. Penney is also offering higher status and faster point accrual to its credit cardholders, according to the announcement. Dive insight: Aéropostale and J.C. Penney - both part of the Catalyst Brands portfolio, which formed in January 2025 - are partnering once more to cross-pollinate their customer bases. During its back-to-school campaign last year, J.C. Penney introduced products from Aéropostale, Hurley and Volcom to its assortment. The retailer is once again teasing an Aéropostale collection, this time for college living. Other brands within the Catalyst portfolio include Nautica, Lucky Brand and Brooks Brothers. "By connecting these two brands, we've created a single ecosystem where shoppers can maximize their dollars," Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at Catalyst Brands, said in a press release. "Whether you're shopping for the latest styles at Aéropostale or grabbing great fashion and beauty favorites at J.C. Penney, you'll earn rewards on the entire experience. It's the kind of convenience and value that makes Catalyst Brands work." This isn't the first time retailers have looked to combine their loyalty programs. Dick's Sporting Goods and Nike in 2021 debuted a joint loyalty experience that would let shoppers access Nike's loyalty program within the Dick's mobile app. Nike has offered a similar joint loyalty experience through other wholesale partners, including JD Sports and Hibbett. Ulta and Target also offered a joint loyalty experience for shoppers of the Ulta at Target shop-in-shops, though that partnership is set to end in August. J.C. Penney is teaming up with Aéropostale following a rough holiday quarter for the department store. Its fourth-quarter net sales declined 8% from the year prior to $1.9 billion, according to financial filings released earlier this year. Meanwhile, net loss surged 77% to $113 million. To ameliorate some of J.C. Penney's financial woes, the department store tried to hand off 119 of its stores to private equity firm Onyx Partners for $947 million, but the deal fell apart late last year.
Meet JCPenney at the mall: JCPenney and Aéropostale are making summer shopping rewarding. From the group chat to the checkout: Take your own "mall crawl" and earn rewards at both brands all summer PLANO, Texas (June 22, 2026) - The mall is officially your summer destination, and now every stop on your style journey just got more rewarding thanks to JCPenney and Aéropostale. For the first time ever, Aéropostale has launched a loyalty rewards program, and the two iconic mall staples are connecting their programs so every dollar you spend at either store - online, in the apps, or in store - earns you real money to spend at both. Plus, complete new challenges rolling out all summer and earn a $5 CashPass each time. Ready? Your mall crawl starts now. Sign up for Rewards Access at www.aeropostale.com or www.jcpenney.com today and grab your first reward: a $10 CashPass from JCPenney or $5 from Aéropostale. Then, enjoy earning a $10 CashPass for every 200 points earned. By connecting JCPenney and Aéropostale, fashion for the entire family is now more accessible and affordable than ever before. Stop one: JCPenney Start your mall crawl at JCPenney - yes, JCPenney - where its Access to fashion, made famous from the "Other Paris Runway," now features summer's most stylishly affordable lineup for the whole family. Here's the checklist: * Beat the back-to-school craze: Stock up on athlete-favorite fashion from JCPenney's Inside Lane, fresh kicks from Nike, PUMA, and Reebok, trending activewear from adidas, plus backpacks and dorm must-haves, including the Aéropostale College Living Collection. * Seasonal Style Refresh: Shop summer staples for any occasion from St. John's Bay, Liz Claiborne, a.n.a, belle vie and more, including trending styles like denim vests, matching sets and summer maxis. * MUST NOT MISS: JCPenney Beauty Haul. JCPenney has became the low-key spot for TikTok-famed beauty brands - think NYX Lip Drips, Supergoop Sunscreen, Philosophy Mist. Your glow-up is one receipt away. * Bonus Moves: Earn rewards shopping everything from desirable jewelry to home essentials, getting your hair done at the salon, or even booking a Portrait Studio shoot. What other retailer allows you to get your hair done, glow-up makeover, and picture-perfect new headshot all-in-one stop? Stop Two: Aéropostale From your FYP to your closet, Aero is where the trends you've been seeing actually show up IRL. Find Access to on-trend denim, fleece and fashion for girls and guys that work with everything you already have in rotation. * Summer Fit Check: Whatever your summer style needs, Aéropostale delivers-think your crocheted babydoll top, micro shorts, boxy shirts, or graphic tees. * Y2K Energy: Shop different categories (mini skorts, scalloped cardigans, super low-rise baggys, piqué polos) and earn a $5 CashPass. Your closet from 2003 just called back. * Fandom Frenzy: Discover exclusive soccer gear no matter which team you're repping, like the México El Tricolor Pullover Hoodie, US Soccer Halter Top, FC Barcelona Floral Full-Zip Hoodie, and Argentina Messi 10 Pullover Hoodie - earn points on every dollar you spend on sporty styles across any category. * Don't Skip Denim:Build your jeans capsule and unlock a $5 CashPass when you buy four pairs of denim, including the latest styles like ultra wide leg, baggy, low-rise baggy flare, and utility, now through October. It sounds easy enough...because it is. You hit JCPenney for great value on fashion for the whole family plus beauty and home essentials, then swing by Aéropostale for access to all the trends and all the value. Normal mall day, right? Except now, you actually saved bigger thanks to the power of the Catalyst Brands portfolio, because every dollar you spent at JCPenney earned you points to use on that trip to Aéropostale. You got everything your family needed and earned real dollars back on the entire trip. "This isn't just another loyalty program. It's a promise to provide real value at a moment when families need it most. A promise that JCPenney has delivered for nearly 125 years," said Marisa Thalberg, EVP & Chief Customer & Marketing Officer at Catalyst Brands. "By connecting these two brands, we've created a single ecosystem where shoppers can maximize their dollars. Whether you're shopping for the latest styles at Aéropostale or grabbing great fashion and beauty favorites at JCPenney, you'll earn rewards on the entire experience. It's the kind of convenience and value that makes Catalyst Brands work." Level-Up on Savings It's simple: You shop, you earn, you get real dollars back. Once you join Rewards Access, you'll enter a spend-based tier system that rewards loyalty and frequency. Already a JCPenney Credit Card holder? You'll start at an elevated tier and earn rewards faster. The more you shop, the faster you earn. Advance through the tiers to earn points faster, unlock more challenges, enjoy free shipping, access member-only seasonal deals, and more. Reach VIP level as a JCPenney credit cardholder and you'll even get your choice of a free session at JCPenney Portraits by Lifetouch or an Olaplex Liquid Gold Blowout at JCPenney Salons. The best part? Your CashPass rewards work at both JCPenney and Aéropostale. Earn at one, spend at the other. Real dollars. Real flexibility. Plan Your Mall Crawl Ready to accept the challenge and plan your mall crawl? Start by signing up for Rewards Access at www.aeropostale.com or www.jcpenney.com. Bring your family. Bring your checklist. Bring your appetite for smart shopping. JCPenney and Aéropostale are ready when you are. The mall is back. Your rewards are waiting. Let's make this trip count. About JCPenney JCPenney, part of Catalyst Brands, is the shopping destination for America's diverse, working families. With inclusivity at its core, the Company's product assortment meets customers' everyday needs and helps them commemorate every special occasion with style, quality and value. JCPenney offers a broad portfolio of fashion, apparel, home, beauty and jewelry from national and private brands and provides personal services including salon, portrait and optical. The Company and its 50,000 associates worldwide serve customers where, when and how they want to shop - from jcp.com to more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2022, JCPenney celebrated 120 years as an iconic American brand by continuing its legacy of connecting with customers through shopping and community engagement. Please visit JCPenney's Newsroom to learn more and follow JCPenney on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. About Aéropostale Since 1987, Aéropostale is the specialty retailer for casual apparel and accessories, offering on-trend denim and fashion essentials at compelling values for younger generations. Through great clothes and greater vibes, Aero's here for all the firsts that turn into forever memories - and for whatever's next. With over 1,000 locations worldwide, Aéropostale currently operates stores in key territories around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Middle East. Follow @aeropostale on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
Aéropostale, Quiksilver & ROXY bring surf style to spring. Aéropostale has partnered with surf brands Quiksilver and ROXY on a spring capsule that blends coastal heritage with everyday style. The collaboration brings together three brands rooted in surf and youth culture, combining Aéropostale's casual wardrobe staples with the surf-driven DNA of Quiksilver and ROXY. Designed for the transition from spring to summer, the assortment features relaxed silhouettes, seasonal color palettes, and graphic details that channel a carefree "Next Stop: Summer" mindset, perfect for everything from spring break getaways to beach days and warm city nights. Aero x Quiksilver channels classic surf style with laid-back essentials and bold graphics inspired by the brand's coastal heritage. Aero x ROXY brings a lighter, playful energy with easy silhouettes and fresh seasonal colors that reflect ROXY's signature coastal style. The Aéropostale x Quiksilver x ROXY collection is available now online at aeropostale.com, on the Aero app, and in Aéropostale stores nationwide.