- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Compensation
- €40,000/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Nov 12, 2026
About Gucci
Gucci, one of the world’s most influential luxury houses, offers employees the opportunity to contribute to a Florentine legacy defined by creativity, craftsmanship and cultural daring. As part of Kering, the Maison combines Italian heritage with a progressive global outlook, fostering careers across design, retail, clienteling, merchandising, digital, operations and corporate functions. Gucci seeks individuals who bring curiosity, excellence and an entrepreneurial spirit, supporting them through inclusive leadership, learning opportunities and international mobility. Its workplace celebrates self-expression, collaboration and innovation, while upholding exacting standards of quality, sustainability and client experience.
The Sneaker and Sports Footwear Designer develops Gucci sneaker and sport-inspired footwear for the Men’s and Women’s Fashion and Core collections, from research and concept through prototyping and presentation. The role requires 5–7 years of relevant design experience and offers a gross annual salary of €40,000, subject to adjustment based on experience, autonomy and competencies; the applicable national collective agreement is D111.
Role & Responsibilities
- Translate seasonal briefs and creative direction into original sneaker and sports shoe concepts for the Men’s and Women’s Fashion and Core collections.
- Research contemporary culture, sport, performance, streetwear, vintage references, materials, technologies and emerging footwear trends.
- Develop sketches, color proposals, technical drawings and detailed design specifications covering proportions, construction, uppers, soles, components, graphics and finishes.
- Create new sneaker concepts and product families, while bringing a fresh, relevant perspective to Gucci icons and recurring styles.
- Collaborate with the wider design team to align with the overall collection vision and maintain a consistent product language.
- Partner with Product Development and Merchandising to translate creative concepts into high-quality, technically feasible products.
- Participate in fittings and prototype reviews, providing clear feedback and refining volumes, fit, comfort, construction, materials, colorways and product details.
- Explore innovative materials, sustainable solutions, sole technologies and production techniques to enrich the collection and enhance product performance.
- Prepare and maintain accurate design files, technical information, color references and collection boards throughout development.
- Present concepts and design proposals during creative reviews, collection meetings and cross-functional alignments.
- Manage multiple projects and development timelines simultaneously, incorporating feedback while safeguarding creative intent and expected quality.
- Create distinctive, desirable sneaker concepts in a competitive, fast-evolving category while preserving Gucci’s creative identity.
- Balance fashion impact, innovation, comfort, functionality, commercial relevance and industrial feasibility across Fashion and Core collection needs.
- Manage complex development processes, multiple stakeholders, prototype revisions and demanding collection timelines without compromising design quality or accuracy.
Qualifications
- A strong portfolio demonstrating originality, refined aesthetic sensitivity and experience designing sneakers and sport-inspired footwear from concept through development.
- Excellent drawing and visualization skills, including hand sketching and digital design.
- Solid technical understanding of footwear construction, lasts, soles, uppers, materials, components, fit and industrial development processes.
- Strong awareness of sneaker culture, sport, fashion, art, music and contemporary lifestyle, with the ability to translate cultural insights into relevant luxury products.
- Ability to balance creative experimentation, brand identity, commercial relevance, comfort and technical feasibility.
- Experience working closely with development teams, suppliers and manufacturers, and confidence in reviewing prototypes and communicating precise design feedback.
- Curious, proactive and collaborative approach, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and evolving priorities.
- Fluency in English; knowledge of Italian is a strong advantage.
Skills
Experience
5–7 years in a comparable sneaker or sports shoe design role within luxury fashion, premium footwear or a highly design-led brand.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
Explore jobs in Lombardy or in Italy.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position is EUR 40,000 per annum.
Benefits
Annual target bonus under the company-level collective agreement, up to 20% of gross annual salary; company canteen; supplementary health insurance; company welfare program.
Culture
Gucci fosters a creative, inclusive workplace where individuality, craftsmanship, and cultural curiosity are central to how teams collaborate. As an employer, the Maison encourages bold ideas and personal expression while maintaining a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and responsible luxury.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.