Director, Design, Leathergoods NY

Director, Design, Leather goods

Kate Spade

New York City, NY, US

Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always been colorful, bold, and optimistic. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand that designs extraordinary things for the everyday, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready‑to‑wear, jewelry, footwear, home décor, and more. Known for its rich heritage and unique brand DNA, Kate Spade New York offers a distinctive point of view and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles.

Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry portfolio – a global house of brands committed to stretching what’s possible.

A member of the Tapestry family, we are part of a global house of brands that has unwavering optimism and is committed to being innovative and wholly inclusive. Visit
Our People page to learn more about Tapestry's commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

The successful individual will leverage their proficiency in design to …

Manage the design process from concept through production for Mainline handbags and small leather goods

Lead the design team through the design process, providing clear direction and feedback for concepts, designs, layers, techniques, color and print placement, in close partnership with the VP of Leather goods Design

Actively participate in the conceptual development of product lines including communicating and selling ideas/concepts, including recommendations for seasonal themes, new concepts, etc.

Present concepts and designs in detail and holistically during cross functional milestone meetings in a manner that conveys design’s vision as well as merchandising requirements and demonstrates an understanding of the interdependencies of all product decisions

Partner closely with Merchandising on ensuring designs achieve line architecture needs

Research trends to apply to target consumer needs and translate to design process

Ensure that product is of high quality, cohesively designed and consistent with market trends, as well as business strategy

Work with designers, technical design team and product development team to ensure design packages are complete and accurate

Partner with the product development team to drive innovation through silhouettes, construction and techniques.

Provide direction to hardware design team partners on hardware elments for handbags and small leather goods

Partner with concept, print and color team members to ensure cohesive use of concepts, seasonal prints and colors

Execute corrections as needed; work with merchandising and product development to find appropriate solutions for costing or construction issues

The accomplished individual will possess …

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience

Experience designing handbags in high end designer market supported by proven portfolio to be considered for role

Strong computer knowledge, including adobe illustrator

Strong leadership and communication skills

Strong ability to hand sketch

Strong design and conceptual skills

Strong sense of trends, style and color

Thorough knowledge of raw materials, as well as, construction techniques

Understanding of merchandising as it relates to sales and store environment

Our Competencies for All Employees

• Courage
  :
  Doesn’t hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and “actionable” positive and corrective feedback to others; lets people know where they stand; faces up to people problems on any person or situation (not including direct reports) quickly and directly; is not afraid to take negative action when necessary.
• Creativity
  :
  Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; tends to be seen as original and value‑added in brainstorming settings.
• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first‑hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Dealing with…