Accessories Designer; Maternity Cover

Job Description

Orla Kiely is seeking an Accessories Designer for a 12 month fixed term maternity cover, to work with the Senior Designer and Creative Director, be an integral part of the team and focus on the design, development and follow through of the Orla Kiely handbag and small accessories collections.

Orla Kiely centres around pattern, colour and all things mid-century. Committed to high level design and quality across multiple product categories, from handbags to homeware the versatility of Orla’s prints has made it a globally recognised brand. With a strong vision and an equally strong drive to push the creative, the team dynamic is an exciting and collaborative environment to be a part of.

This is a full time position and you will be based in our Clapham design studio, with flexible options to working from home when appropriate.

What you’ll do

• Research and design new bag collections, considering shape, fabrics, techniques, components, incorporating seasonal prints and colour palette.
• Liaise and communicate with factories to instruct design and material choices.
• Carry out visual research, sketches and Tech Packs required for product development in a clear and organized way.
• Oversee and project manage the development process from start to finish including ordering samples, pre-production comments and meeting deadlines.
• Keep track of all technical information including costs.
• Work closely with the team to ensure the Critical Path dates are met.
• Collaborating and working with the Senior Designer and Creative Director throughout the process.
• Additional ad-hoc projects requiring Design Team input e.g. special collaborations and licensed projects.

The ideal candidate should have

• A minimum of 4-5 years experience in a similar role
• A background in fashion with a passion for design, colour and pattern
• A proficiency in Adobe Illustrator
• An understanding and appreciation of leather, fabric and components and how they can be used within a collection
• A desire to continually search out new trends and inspiration
• An ability to follow through a design process from start to finish
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence to share ideas but also open to team input
• An ability to multitask across seasons and projects while managing and meeting deadlines
• Pride in the content and quality of your work with strong attention to detail
• A clear and structured approach to work, including excellent organisational skills and timekeeping.

Please apply with your CV, cover letter and some examples of your work to  We look forward to hearing from you.