Michael Kors Vice President, Men's Design – Ready-to-Wear
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Executive
- Compensation
- $250,000–300,000/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Jun 10, 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 Vice President, Men's Design – RTW in NY Metro Area to lead global menswear creative vision and design teams.
Role & Responsibilities
- Set and lead the global creative vision for all Michael Kors Men's Ready-to-Wear categories, establishing clear seasonal direction and design leadership
- Own the complete design process from concept development through final execution, ensuring aesthetic excellence, brand consistency, and commercial viability
- Develop seasonal concepts encompassing silhouette direction, fabric innovation, color palettes, trims, and construction details across all RTW categories
- Lead fabric research, material development, and vendor sourcing in partnership with global mills to drive innovation and craftsmanship
- Present seasonal collections, sketches, prototypes, and final deliverables to executive leadership with compelling storytelling and strategic clarity
- Partner closely with Production and Technical Design teams to ensure design integrity, fit consistency, and quality standards are maintained
- Collaborate with Planning, Sales, and Merchandising to align design intent with business opportunities while maintaining creative vision
- Ensure all menswear categories remain cohesive and aligned with seasonal direction and brand positioning
- Maintain deep understanding of competitive landscape, cultural trends, and emerging design influences to inform future collections
- Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing design teams across all RTW categories, fostering a culture of creativity and accountability
- Champion continuous improvement in design processes, tools, and workflows to enhance both creativity and operational efficiency
- Drive innovation in materials, construction techniques, sustainability practices, and product functionality
- Ensure all design deliverables meet calendar deadlines and quality expectations
- Build strong partnerships across regions and functions, modeling a collaborative and culturally aware leadership approach
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Menswear, or a related field
- 15+ years of progressive experience in men's ready-to-wear design with senior leadership responsibility
- Deep expertise across all men's RTW categories, including tailoring, outerwear, sportswear, knits, and denim
- Strong understanding of the global luxury and accessible luxury menswear market
- Proven ability to translate brand DNA into modern, commercially relevant, and elevated design
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and executive influencing skills
- Ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume, deadline-driven environment
- Willingness to travel as required
Skills
Experience
15+ years of progressive experience in men's ready-to-wear design, with demonstrated senior leadership responsibility across design teams. Proven track record translating brand vision into commercially successful, trend-forward collections across multiple menswear categories. Experience designing for global markets across multiple regions.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Menswear, or a related discipline.
Workplace
The role is situated in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 250,000 to USD 300,000 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 «Senior Director of Menswear Design», «Creative Director, Men's Ready-to-Wear», «Head of Men's Design», «Menswear Design Director», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.