Designer, Soft Accessories

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.

• Be the key interface with the licensee design teams to carry out seasonal design and brand direction
• Uphold design integrity and brand standards throughout the entire development process
• Research seasonal trends and keep up-to-date on market competition
• Support Design Director in creating seasonal trend inspiration presentations
• Responsible for department project management (timeline adherence, ensuring all licensees and product meet key milestones and final calendar dates)
• Manage preparation for design meetings; conduct follow-up
• Collaborate closely with the Art Department; provide Art Department with seasonal artwork needs and oversee to final pass-off to the licensees or factory
• Partner with licensees and merchandising teams throughout the design cycle
• Initiate cross-collaboration with in‑house design teams (Handbags, RTW, Jewelry, Shoes, Home) to collect and share design assets and seasonal direction (designs, swatches, hardware) with licensees.
• Manage communication of internal design priorities and changes throughout season (at sketch review, proto review and market sample review) to direct team and the licensees.
• Initiate project requests and oversee to final approval (with art department, hardware, editorial, legal teams)
• Maintain seasonal boards and design libraries, by category.

• 5+ years Fashion industry experience
• Experience in Accessory and RTW experience preferred
• Experience in high fashion, including market trends, design, and luxe raw materials
• Diverse set of experience across design categories, as well as strong construction knowledge
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills and deadline management
• Highly proficient skill within Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
• an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

• 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 Ambiguity
  :
  Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn’t upset when things are up in the air; doesn’t have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Drive for Results
  :
  Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom‑line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.
• Interpersonal Savvy
  :
  Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and…