Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fashion Fitter

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

FashionApparelRetailTechnical Design

🎯 Role Definition

As a Fashion Fitter, you are the critical link between the creative vision of our design team and the tangible reality of the final product. You will be at the heart of our product development cycle, participating in daily fitting sessions to ensure every garment meets our exacting standards for fit, movement, and quality. This role requires an exceptional understanding of body proportions, garment construction, and the ability to articulate precise, constructive feedback. You will collaborate closely with Technical Designers, Patternmakers, and Merchants to uphold brand integrity and drive customer satisfaction by guaranteeing a consistent and superior fit across all our collections.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Retail Sales Associate / Stylist
  • Design or Technical Design Assistant
  • Showroom Model

Advancement To:

  • Senior Fashion Fitter / Fit Specialist
  • Technical Designer
  • Product Developer

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Assistant Patternmaker

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Participate in daily live model fitting sessions to evaluate the fit, comfort, and functionality of apparel prototypes across all development stages.
  • Provide clear, concise, and constructive verbal and written feedback on garment fit, balance, and construction to technical designers, patternmakers, and merchants.
  • Verify that all garments and samples meet established brand fit standards, grade rules, and stringent quality expectations before proceeding to the next stage.
  • Maintain highly accurate and consistent body measurements and promptly communicate any changes to the technical design and patternmaking teams.
  • Articulate how specific pattern adjustments, fabric choices, and construction techniques impact the overall silhouette, drape, and feel of the garment on the body.
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners, including Design, Merchandising, and Production, to ensure complete alignment on fit intent from concept to final approval.
  • Try on full-size ranges of development samples, including tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and activewear, to assess grade rules and scaling.
  • Evaluate garment samples for overall construction quality, workmanship, and adherence to the details outlined in the technical specification package.
  • Document all fit session comments, required pattern revisions, and approval or rejection status with precision in a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
  • Assist in the development, refinement, and documentation of core body measurements and block patterns to ensure fit consistency season over season.
  • Analyze competitor fit, sizing, and construction to provide insights that inform our brand's strategy and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
  • Conduct thorough fit assessments on dress forms or mannequins to check initial proportions, drape, and design lines when a live fitting is not required.
  • Prepare garments meticulously for fitting sessions, which includes steaming, organizing, and measuring key points of measure (POMs) against spec sheets.
  • Clearly communicate any observed fabric performance issues, such as excessive stretching, shrinkage, poor recovery, or sheerness during the fitting process.
  • Support the Technical Design team by modeling garments for internal milestone meetings, showroom presentations, and occasionally for lookbook photoshoots.
  • Provide subjective, user-focused feedback on the aesthetic and emotional aspects of the fit, describing how the garment makes the wearer feel.
  • Maintain a consistent and healthy lifestyle to ensure body measurements remain stable and reliable, providing a dependable benchmark for the design teams.
  • Assess the functionality and placement of all trims, closures, and hardware, including zippers, buttons, snaps, and drawstrings, ensuring they are user-friendly.
  • Participate in pre-production sample reviews to give final sign-off on fit and execution before bulk production is initiated.
  • Assist the Technical Design team in creating and updating technical packages (tech packs) with correct measurement specifications and construction details based on fitting outcomes.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in organizing and maintaining the physical sample library and digital fit photo archives for future reference and historical analysis.
  • Support the Technical Design team with administrative tasks related to sample tracking, scheduling fit sessions, and preparing necessary documentation.
  • Participate in market research by analyzing competitor products and customer reviews related to fit, sizing, and overall quality.
  • Contribute to the creation, refinement, and internal communication of brand fit guides and standards documentation for cross-functional teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep understanding of garment construction, patternmaking principles, and fabric properties (drape, stretch, recovery).
  • Ability to read and interpret technical sketches and measurement specifications (tech packs).
  • Proficiency in using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM) for comment entry.
  • Strong knowledge of industry-standard grade rules and the impact of sizing across a range.
  • Precise knowledge of standard points of measure (POM) on a garment.
  • Ability to maintain specific and consistent body measurements required for the role.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to articulate fit issues clearly and constructively.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for proportion, balance, and silhouette.
  • High degree of professionalism, patience, and the ability to stand for extended periods.
  • Strong collaborative mindset and interpersonal skills for working effectively with diverse teams.
  • Excellent body awareness and the ability to describe the feel and movement of a garment accurately.
  • Proactive problem-solving skills to suggest potential solutions for fit and construction challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Design
  • Technical Design
  • Apparel Merchandising
  • Patternmaking

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3+ years of experience in a related role.

Preferred: Prior professional experience as a fit model, fashion fitter, or in a technical design capacity within a corporate apparel brand or retail environment is highly desirable. Experience working within a fast-paced product development calendar.

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