Senior Designer

Amiee Lynn Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Amiee Lynn Inc. is seeking a highly creative Senior Handbag Designer to lead the design and development of handbags and SLGs across multiple brands and retail accounts.

The role requires hands-on design, knowledge of materials and construction, and an ability to balance creativity with commercial requirements. The ideal candidate will manage design concepts through production approval, work with factories to resolve technical issues, and ensure on-time delivery of aligned collections for

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in handbag and accessories design.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong knowledge of handbag construction, PU, leather, fabric, hardware, and trims.
• Experience creating detailed tech packs and communicating with overseas manufacturers.
• Understanding of FOB costing, development timelines, and price points.
• Ability to manage multiple brands and programs simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Research seasonal trends, silhouettes, colors, materials, hardware, and finishes.
• Develop seasonal handbag and SLG collections aligned with brand identity and customer demographic.
• Create CADs, sketches, colorways, and presentation boards.
• Produce technical packages with measurements, construction details, materials, and artwork placement.
• Maintain updated specifications and review prototypes, samples, and revisions.
• Coordinate with overseas factories to resolve technical and construction issues while maintaining design integrity.
• Own assigned programs from design to final development approval and manage calendars.

Skills

Handbag design

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Technical specifications

Factory liaison

Costing

Project management

Organizational skills

Communication

Trend research

Tools

Tech packs

Job description

Department: Design & Product Development

Reports To: VP of Design

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly creative, experienced, and detail-oriented Senior Handbag Designer to lead the design and development of handbags and small leather goods (SLGs) across multiple brands and retail accounts.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of current fashion trends, materials, construction, and the off-price retail market, along with the ability to manage multiple programs independently from initial concept through production approval.

This position requires a hands-on designer who can balance creativity with commercial appeal, costing requirements, and development deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design & Creative Development

• Research seasonal fashion trends, silhouettes, colors, materials, hardware, and finishes.
• Develop seasonal handbag and SLG collections aligned with each brand's identity and customer demographic.
• Create original design concepts, CADs, sketches, colorways, and presentation boards.
• Develop commercially appealing designs that meet target retail and cost requirements.
• Present new concepts and seasonal collections to the VP of Design for review and approval.

2. Product Development & Technical Specifications

• Create detailed technical packages with measurements, construction details, materials, hardware, and artwork placement.
• Maintain accurate and updated specifications throughout the development process.
• Review and comment on prototypes, samples, and revisions.
• Ensure proper construction, functionality, quality, and consistency across all designs.
• Work with factories to resolve technical and construction issues while maintaining design integrity.

3. Factory Communication & Follow-Up

• Serve as the primary design contact for all assigned handbag and SLG programs.
• Communicate directly with overseas factories regarding specifications, samples, revisions, and development status.
• Provide clear and accurate design direction to minimize unnecessary revisions and sampling.
• Follow up daily on outstanding samples, development issues, and deadlines.
• Ensure factory communication is organized and all relevant parties are informed of important updates.
• Escalate costing, quality, or timeline concerns to the VP of Design.

4. Program Ownership & Accountability

• Take full ownership of assigned programs from initial design through final development approval.
• Maintain organized records of CADs, tech packs, samples, approvals, and revisions.
• Manage development calendars and ensure all deadlines are met.
• Coordinate with sourcing, merchandising, and sales teams when necessary.
• Identify potential development issues early and recommend solutions.
• Ensure that all revisions and changes are accurately communicated and documented.

5. Costing & Commercial Development

• Design products with an understanding of target FOB costs and retail price points.
• Work closely with factories to identify cost-effective materials, hardware, and construction techniques.
• Recommend design modifications that help achieve target costs without compromising appearance or functionality.
• Submit costing concerns and recommendations to the VP of Design for final approval before proceeding.
• Partner with the VP of Design to establish seasonal direction and collection assortments.
• Collaborate with merchandising, sourcing, sales, and production teams.
• Prepare organized design presentations for internal reviews and retail customers.
• Incorporate buyer feedback and market trends into future development.
• Support junior designers when necessary and provide constructive design guidance.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in handbag and accessories design, preferably within wholesale, private label, or licensed brands.
• Strong experience designing handbags, totes, crossbodies, satchels, and SLGs.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Strong technical knowledge of handbag construction, PU, leather, fabric, hardware, and trims.
• Experience creating detailed tech packs and communicating with overseas manufacturers.
• Understanding of FOB costing, product development timelines, and commercial price points.
• Ability to manage multiple brands and programs simultaneously.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

Ideal Candidate

A proactive, independent designer who combines a strong fashion point of view with excellent technical knowledge and organizational skills. The candidate must be comfortable taking ownership of projects, managing factory communication, solving problems, and delivering finished products in a fast-paced accessories environment.