Michael Kors Footwear Designer
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Compensation
- $80,000–100,000/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Jun 5, 2026
About Michael Kors
Michael Kors is an internationally recognized luxury fashion brand and lifestyle label, marketed globally across apparel, accessories and fragrances. As part of Capri Holdings, Michael Kors operates within a portfolio of premium fashion houses and emphasizes design-led product, elevated retail experiences and a fast-paced, customer-centric retail network.
Michael Kors seeks a Footwear Designer in New York with 5+ years of accessories design experience and strong footwear expertise. Salary: $80,000–$100,000 annually.
Role & Responsibilities
- Translate the Michael Kors aesthetic and brand vision into cohesive, commercially viable footwear product lines
- Partner with the Senior Design Director throughout the entire product design process, including market research, trend analysis, mood board creation, and style conceptualization
- Create detailed technical specification packages for factory partners, manage prototype development, and conduct critical fit reviews on market samples
- Provide strategic recommendations on seasonal themes, line edits, emerging concepts, material innovations, and logo evolution
- Conduct independent presentations offering creative insight and design rationale for proposed styles and product direction
- Ensure product alignment with market trends, competitive positioning, and overarching business strategy by interpreting international and domestic fashion concepts
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members on hardware conception, material research, and alternative construction techniques
- Produce detailed CAD drawings and technical documentation for market samples
- Work in partnership with handbag design colleagues to achieve visual and structural consistency across the accessories portfolio
- Meet independently with vendors and manufacturing partners to refine production processes and quality standards
- Identify and implement process improvements that enhance design efficiency and product excellence
Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional design experience within the accessories or footwear industry
- Bachelor's degree in Accessories Design, Footwear Design, or a closely related field
- Expert-level design and conceptual skills specific to footwear, including silhouettes, fabrication, and construction techniques
- Demonstrated expertise in leather, trim materials, and colorway development
- Proven ability to manage competing deadlines and multitask in high-volume environments
- Proficiency with CAD software and technical specification development
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Ability to work on-site in New York City 4–5 days per week
Skills
Experience
5+ years of professional design experience in accessories or footwear, with demonstrated expertise in product development from concept through production sampling.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Accessories Design, Footwear Design, or a related field.
Workplace
This position is based in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 80,000 to USD 100,000 per annum.
Benefits
Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Calendar, Summer Fridays, Internal Mobility Across Brands, Cross-brand Discount, Exclusive Employee Sales, Fav 5 Cards (MK Discount for friends and family), 401(k) Match, Paid Parental Leave, Thrive Wellness Program, Commuter Benefits, Gym Discounts
Culture
Michael Kors fosters a design-driven, service-oriented retail culture that blends creative energy with commercial discipline. Teams work in a fast-paced, international environment where collaboration, attention to detail and polished client service are highly valued.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Michael Kors, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Shoe Designer», «Footwear Design Specialist», «Accessories Designer - Footwear», «Senior Footwear Stylist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.