General Summary
The Designer, Handbags is responsible for creating compelling, innovative, and brand-right handbag designs for seasonal collections. This position supports the Steve Madden International Handbag business.
The responsibilities described below are considered essential functions of the role. This position is based in our NYC office and requires working on-site five days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Research fashion trends, materials, colors, and hardware to inspire and inform designs
- Design and develop seasonal handbag collections aligned with brand identity and market trends
- Present concepts and collections to VP of Design that align with seasonal direction
Specific Job Skills:
Essential duties include
- Create detailed design sketches, CAD's, and tech packs for development
- Collaborate with product development and technical design teams to ensure accurate execution of design intent
- Attend sample reviews to ensure consistency and quality
- Daily communication with overseas suppliers to ensure all details are implemented during the development process
- Juggle multiple collections and projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines
- Finalize technical specs in prep for production hand off after sales orders are placed
- Stay up to date with competitor products, pricing, and market trends
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Accessories Design or equivalent experience
- Minimum of 3–5+ years of handbag or accessories design experience
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, organizational, collaborative and time management skills
- Strong sketching and rendering skills, both by hand and digitally
- Solid knowledge of handbag materials, construction, and hardware
- Understanding of technical specs, construction, and materials
- Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Proactive, positive attitude, and a fast learner who thrives in a collaborative team
The expected base salary for this position ranges from $100k-$105k. Ranges are based on various factors such as relevant skillset, training, years of experience related to the current job description, education, and our organizational structure. In addition to the base salary, Steve Madden offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401K, paid holidays, a generous paid time-off policy, and career opportunities within a dynamic team.
Top Skills
What We Do
Steven Madden, Ltd. is globally recognized as a leading company in the fashion industry. What began as a modest $1100 investment in 1990 has developed into one of the most iconic brands in footwear. From a factory in Queens, NY, Steve Madden has revolutionized the shoe industry, merging years of experience with unique and creative designs. Inspired by rock and roll and his NY roots, Steve’s vision to provide on-trend women and men with an outlet to express their individuality is innovative, daring, and inspiring. Steve’s innate understanding of trends and unparalleled willpower have resulted in millions of customers worldwide and propelled his designs to the forefront of fashion.
In addition to marketing products under its own brands including Steve Madden®, Kurt Geiger London®, Dolce Vita®, Betsey Johnson®, Carvela®, Blondo® and ATM®, Steve Madden licenses footwear, handbags and other accessory categories for the Anne Klein® brand. In addition, Steve Madden designs and sources products under private label brand names for various retailers. Steve Madden’s wholesale distribution includes department stores, mass merchants, off-price retailers, shoe chains, online retailers, national chains, specialty retailers and independent stores. Steve Madden also directly operates brick-and-mortar retail stores and e-commerce websites. In addition, Steve Madden licenses certain of its brands to third parties for the marketing and sale of certain products in the apparel, accessory, and home categories.
With an emphasis on retail, wholesale, licensing and international business, there's a constant need for new ideas and versatility. Our environment is extremely fast paced and requires associates to maintain a balance of energy and professionalism. Steve Madden is about fashion-forward product and great people. Our employees are energized, intelligent and passionate about our business and committed to providing excellent customer service.
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