Overview
Senior Designer – Womens Apparel Jobs in Torquay, Victoria, Australia at Rip Curl
Title: Senior Designer – Womens Apparel
Company: Rip Curl
Location: Torquay, Victoria, Australia
About Rip Curl
Founded in Torquay in 1969, Rip Curl is The Ultimate Surfing Company, born from a relentless pursuit for waves, adventure, and freedom, called ‘The Search’. Today, The Search continues to inspire all that we do, from the products we make, the events we run, the athletes we support, and the values we strive to uphold. Built by surfers, for surfers, Rip Curl is a global company that has been leading the surf industry for over 50 years. As a certified B Corp, we aim to prioritise people and planet in everything we do. The Search is calling… apply today and become part of The Ultimate Surfing company.
Reporting to the Head of Design – Women’s, this role is both creative and commercial, balancing strong surf‑led storytelling with real‑world insight to deliver product that performs globally.
The Role
As Senior Designer – Women’s Apparel, you’ll lead the women’s apparel design team in creating cohesive, compelling seasonal ranges that reflect Rip Curl’s brand DNA. You’ll stay deeply connected to our customer, use sales and market insight to sharpen the range edit, and guide product from concept through to final delivery.
This is a hands‑on leadership role where creative direction, commercial thinking and team development are equally important.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Customer Insight
- Stay close to sales performance and sell‑through, leading your team to understand what’s working — and why.
- Bring the customer to life through real‑world insight, observing her at the beach, on social media and within culture.
- Use this understanding to build emotional connection and long‑term loyalty with the Rip Curl woman.
Range Planning
- Partner closely with the Head of Design and Head of Product to align early on seasonal briefs.
- Lead your team in creating strong, cohesive stories across the range with a clear and consistent visual identity.
- Balance trend relevance with commercial targets, staying close through development to protect margin and manage risk.
Design & Development
- Lead design direction across categories, driving concepts from research and briefing through to final product.
- Stay closely involved in fittings and approvals to ensure quality and design intent are delivered.
- Keep the team inspired with fresh trends, innovation and newness, while ensuring ideas translate into wearable, relevant product.
- Oversee execution across graphics, fabrications and trims, ensuring detail, clarity and smooth handover into development.
- Maintain a strong understanding of supplier capabilities and production considerations.
Core Capabilities We’re Looking For
- Creative direction & edit clarity: Confidently set the vision for the range and guide designs within a clear edit point.
- Commercial mindset: Balance creativity with what the customer will buy, using sales and insight to inform decisions.
- Team leadership & development: Support, challenge and grow your team, fostering accountability and high standards.
- Strong product eye: Obsess over detail — silhouette, fabrication, finishing and fit.
- End‑to‑end ownership: Stay connected from concept through to final product delivery.
- Collaboration & influence: Partner effectively with Design, Product and Marketing to bring the range to life.
- Customer obsession: Keep the Rip Curl woman at the centre of every decision.
What You’ll Bring
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Fashion / Apparel Design
- Strong proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
- Experience leading or mentoring a design team
- Solid understanding of production processes and development challenges
- Flexibility, collaboration and a team‑first mindset
- Ability and availability to travel interstate and internationally as required
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands
At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves.
We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone.
We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.
Click APPLY and join us on The Search.
Join us in shaping a workplace where everyone belongs.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
