Handbag Designer

Gina Group; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Generous PTO

Health, dental and vision coverage

401K & Profit sharing

Team building and company events

Job summary

Gina Group in New York City is seeking a talented Handbag & Accessories Designer to contribute to multiple brands and private label collections. You will lead end-to-end design and development for handbags, small leather goods, and travel bags.

You will research seasonal trends, create mood boards and color stories, prepare tech packs and line sheets, and collaborate with overseas factories to ensure timely production.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of handbag/accessories design experience.
• Bachelor of Arts degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail marketplace and competitive landscape.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong design sensibility.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Print and surface design; CAD presentations.
• Product photography and photo retouching.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and development for handbags and small leather goods.
• Research seasonal fashion trends and translate into concepts.
• Develop seasonal concepts, mood boards, color palettes, and material stories.
• Create sketches, tech packs, line sheets, and style guides.
• Prepare and present concepts and line sheets for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage sample development including requests, tracking, and approvals.
• Communicate with overseas factories and sourcing partners.
• Review PPS samples for quality and accuracy.
• Maintain and update PLM style information and development docs.
• Collaborate with Design, Production, Sales, Sourcing, Licensing teams.

Skills

Handbag design

Trend research

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Education

Bachelor of Arts degree preferred

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Gina Concepts, a leading fashion company based in New York City, is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Handbag & Accessories Designer to join our dynamic team. Renowned for our expertise in manufacturing, licensing, and distributing fashion-forward products, we specialize in accessories, footwear, handbags, hosiery, and intimate apparel.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and highly organized individual to contribute to the design and development of multiple brands and private label collections. The role encompasses a wide product range including handbags, small leather goods (SLGs), cosmetic cases, and travel bags.

• Lead the end-to-end design and development process for handbags, backpacks, and small leather goods from initial concept through final production.
• Research and interpret seasonal fashion and market trends, including silhouettes, colors, materials, trims, hardware, prints, and construction techniques through market shopping, trend meetings, trade shows, and industry research.
• Develop seasonal design concepts, mood boards, color palettes, material stories, prints, and graphic applications that align with brand direction and market opportunities.
• Create original handbag and accessory designs while continuously identifying opportunities to enhance and expand existing product assortments.
• Partner with the Design Director and business leadership to merchandise cohesive, commercially viable collections by brand and customer.
• Create detailed sketches, technical designs, tech packs, line sheets, style guides, presentation boards, and other design documentation required throughout the development process.
• Prepare and present design concepts, collections, and line sheets for internal teams, sales presentations, buyers, customers, and other external partners.
• Manage the sample development process, including sample requests, tracking, reviews, revisions, approvals, and follow-up to ensure development milestones and deadlines are met.
• Communicate daily with overseas factories and sourcing partners regarding product development, sample status, revisions, materials, construction, costs, and estimated completion dates.
• Review and approve pre-production (PPS) samples, ensuring design, construction, materials, hardware, functionality, color, and overall execution meet established requirements.
• Provide clear and timely sample corrections and revisions to overseas partners and follow through to ensure all updates are accurately implemented.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date style information, line sheets, development documentation, and sample status within the PLM system; finalize adopted styles for production.
• Collaborate with overseas partners on material development and approvals, with a particular focus on PU/faux leather, hardware, trims, and other handbag components.
• Prepare detailed seasonal approval packages for licensors and ensure all required approvals are completed within established timelines.
• Partner closely with Design, Production, Sales, Sourcing, Licensing, and business leadership to ensure products are developed efficiently and align with creative, commercial, and production requirements.
• Participate in sales meetings, customer presentations, and buyer meetings, presenting collections and supporting the sales process with product knowledge and design expertise.
• Proactively identify and resolve design, material, construction, and development issues to keep projects moving forward and ensure products are delivered on schedule.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant design experience, with a focus on handbags and accessories
• Bachelor of Arts degree preferred
• Strong understanding of the retail marketplace and competitive landscape
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• High proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Exceptional attention to detail with a strong design sensibility
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Print and surface design
• CAD presentations
• Product photography and photo retouching

Pay Transparency - (65 - 75k)

Benefits and Perks:

• Hybrid work schedule & early Fridays
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage with FSA or HSA options
• 401K & Profit sharing
• Team building and Company events

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Gina Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Recruitment Agencies:

Gina Group does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and will not be held responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.