Urban Outfitters - Freelance Swimwear Designer

About Us

Urban Outfitters started out as a single boutique in 1970s Philadelphia with creativity and uniqueness at its core. 50 years on, and over 60 stores across Europe later, we’ve become a destination for emerging design, unexpected styling, One-Of-A-Kind vintage and homeware that makes you want to hit the share button.  

  

We speak to a social community of over 10 million forward-thinking individuals, bringing together a nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future. The UO community are culturally aware, they shape the music scene, they live a digitally native life and they wear style trends before anyone else. At our core, we empower our customers and staff to express themselves, unapologetically, living life in a way that's truly authentic to them. 

  

We are always excited to bring new talent into the room, especially if you share our values: 

  

Progressive — we move with the mood Creative — we champion limitless minds Inclusive — we open our platforms to all communities Responsible — we work to reduce our impact on the environment Compassionate — we care for each other beyond the 9 to 5 

  

Sound like you, why not join us? 

Role Summary

We are looking for a highly creative and technical Freelance Swimwear Designer to join our team on a contract basis. You have an innate ability to spot viral swimwear aesthetics—from trending silhouettes and viral print directions to social-driven micro-trends—and translate them into cohesive collections. Crucially, you combine this trend sense with deep technical swimwear construction knowledge and a sharp understanding of our price architecture.

What You'll Be Doing

• Viral Trend & Concept Direction: Identify and translate fast-moving viral swim trends, resort/street style, and social media micro-trends into brand-right concept boards, print/colour palettes, and key seasonal silhouettes tailored to the UO customer.
• Technical Design & Tech Packs: Create detailed, factory-ready technical packages, including flat sketches, print placement specs, hardware callouts, lining/padding details, and construction notes tailored to stretch fabrics.
• Fit & Construction Expertise: Leverage a deep knowledge of stretch fabrics, elastic tension, coverage levels, and support structures (wire, boning, moulded cups) to ensure exceptional fit across diverse body types.
• Costing & Architecture: Work closely with product development to design directly into target margins and retail price points. Smartly engineer styles using cost-effective fabric yields, hardware options, and construction methods without losing design impact.
• Sample Execution & Fittings: Participate in fit sessions (in-person or virtual), providing clear callouts and spec adjustments to factories to streamline the sample approval process.

What You'll Need

• Swimwear Expertise: Dedicated experience in swimwear design (experience in contemporary youth markets highly preferred). Advanced knowledge of swimwear fabrics (recycled nylon/spandex, textured ribs, crinkles, lurex), elastic applications, trim/hardware sourcing, and specialized stretch construction.
• Trend & Social Savvy: Proven ability to capture viral swim moments, internet-led aesthetics, and youth trends early, adapting them rapidly for commercial success.
• Commercial Savvy: Skilled at designing into strict pricing architectures and target margins while maintaining high-perceived value.
• Software & Graphic Skills: High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for tech packs, vector flats, and print/pattern recolouring.
• Brand Alignment: Deep understanding of the Urban Outfitters customer, aesthetic spectrum, and lifestyle brand positioning.

The Perks

  N/A #UrbanEU

Equal Opportunity Statement

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.