Creative Director, Thread & Promise (Volunteer)

Creative Director, Thread & Promise (Volunteer)
Thread & Promise | Fashion, Creative Direction & Brand Storytelling
Organization:

Mentor A Promise (MAP)
Division:

PromiseBrands – Thread & Promise
Location:

Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Commitment:

Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Type:

Volunteer Senior Leadership Role
Minimum Commitment:

6-month commitment required
Reports To:

Chief of Brands
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization serving children and youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, educational enrichment, workforce development, creative opportunity, advocacy, housing innovation, and community-centered support.
At MAP, we believe creativity can create opportunity, build confidence, spark conversation, and strengthen communities.
Through mission-driven products and storytelling, we seek to transform awareness into action and purpose into impact.
About Thread & Promise
Thread & Promise is MAP's fashion, apparel, merchandise, and lifestyle brand.
The initiative combines design, storytelling, social impact, and entrepreneurship to create products that celebrate resilience, community, creativity, and hope.
Thread & Promise develops apparel, accessories, collections, collaborations, and mission-driven consumer products that support MAP's programs while elevating stories that deserve to be seen and heard.
Every collection tells a story.
Every product supports a purpose.
Every design advances a promise.
Role Overview
The

Creative Director, Thread & Promise

serves as the senior creative leader responsible for the artistic vision, design direction, collection development, storytelling strategy, and overall creative identity of the Thread & Promise brand.
This role oversees the creative development of apparel collections, merchandise, campaigns, lookbooks, product launches, visual storytelling, collaborations, and future brand experiences.
Working closely with the Chief of Brands, Senior Director of Merchandise & Product Branding, fashion designers, photographers, marketers, storytellers, and social enterprise leaders, the Creative Director helps transform Thread & Promise into a distinctive mission-driven fashion brand with national potential.
The Creative Director serves as the creative architect of the brand, ensuring that every collection, campaign, and product reflects excellence, authenticity, purpose, and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Creative Vision & Brand Direction
Develop and lead the creative vision for Thread & Promise
Establish artistic direction across all collections and campaigns
Define the visual and emotional identity of the brand
Ensure consistency across products, storytelling, and audience experiences
Guide the long-term creative evolution of Thread & Promise
Fashion & Collection Development
Lead creative development of apparel, accessories, and merchandise collections
Guide seasonal collection planning and product storytelling
Review concepts, sketches, prototypes, and creative presentations
Ensure collections align with brand values and audience needs
Support innovation in product design and development
Campaigns & Visual Storytelling
Direct creative concepts for marketing campaigns and product launches
Oversee lookbooks, photoshoots, video content, and promotional materials
Collaborate with photographers, filmmakers, designers, and content creators
Ensure storytelling remains authentic and mission-centered
Strengthen emotional connections between products and audiences
Brand Experience & Consumer Engagement
Shape how audiences experience Thread & Promise across all channels
Develop creative experiences that deepen customer engagement
Support collaborations, partnerships, and special projects
Strengthen brand loyalty and community connection
Ensure every touchpoint reflects the quality and values of the brand
Social Impact Fashion Leadership
Integrate MAP's mission into the creative process
Develop collections that inspire awareness, conversation, and action
Explore opportunities for socially conscious and purpose-driven design
Promote ethical, inclusive, and community-centered creative practices
Strengthen the connection between fashion and impact
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with PromiseStudios on storytelling and content creation
Collaborate with PromiseBrands on marketing and audience engagement
Support social enterprise initiatives and product launches
Work closely with publishing, animation, and creative teams on intellectual property opportunities
Align creative initiatives with organizational priorities
Leadership Responsibilities
The Creative Director provides leadership and creative oversight for:
Fashion Design
Responsible for:
Collection development
Creative direction
Design standards
Product innovation
Brand Storytelling
Responsible for:
Campaign narratives
Collection stories
Creative concepts
Audience experiences
Visual Production
Responsible for:
Photoshoots
Lookbooks
Creative campaigns
Product imagery
Creative Partnerships
Responsible for:
Collaborations
Artist partnerships
Special collections
Creative activations
Brand Identity
Responsible for:
Visual consistency
Creative standards
Brand expression
Consumer perception
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in fashion design, creative direction, apparel branding, merchandising, art direction, lifestyle brands, or related creative industries
Strong portfolio demonstrating creative leadership and design excellence
Experience leading collections, campaigns, or brand initiatives
Strong understanding of fashion, consumer products, and brand storytelling
Exceptional creative vision and communication skills
Passion for social-impact entrepreneurship and mission-driven brands
Why This Role Matters
Fashion can be more than clothing.
It can be a story.
A movement.
A statement of values.
A source of opportunity.
The Creative Director helps transform Thread & Promise into a brand that not only creates beautiful products but also creates awareness, connection, and impact.
This role helps build a fashion brand where creativity serves a greater purpose and every collection contributes to a larger mission.
Success Measures
Creative quality and originality of collections
Brand recognition and audience engagement
Product launch success
Collection performance and customer response
Growth of the Thread & Promise brand
Strength of storytelling and campaign execution
Contribution to social enterprise and fundraising goals
Volunteer Expectations
Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment
Maintain timely and professional communication
Collaborate through MAP systems and communication platforms
Support MAP's safeguarding standards, mission, and organizational values
Participate in creative reviews, leadership meetings, and collection planning sessions
What You'll Gain
Opportunity to help build a mission-driven fashion brand from the ground up
Senior creative leadership experience
Collaboration with designers, photographers, storytellers, marketers, and executive leaders
Portfolio-building fashion and branding projects
Professional references and letters of recommendation
Meaningful impact supporting children and families experiencing housing instability
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and include their resume, portfolio, and cover letter.
Please highlight experience involving fashion design, creative direction, apparel branding, merchandising, lifestyle brands, campaign development, visual storytelling, or related creative disciplines.
Help build a fashion brand where every design tells a story and every collection advances a promise.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.