Tapestry Assistant Designer, Outlet Leather Goods
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Junior
- Compensation
- $30–30.30/hour
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Apr 18, 2026
About Tapestry
Kate Spade New York is a design-led global lifestyle brand within the Tapestry portfolio, known for its colorful, optimistic aesthetic and accessible luxury. As part of Tapestry, the brand operates within a collaborative, multi‑brand house that emphasizes creativity, inclusion, and cross‑functional development across design, product, and commercial teams.
Kate Spade New York (Tapestry) is hiring an Assistant Designer, Outlet Leather Goods in New York, NY. Join the design team to develop handbags and SLGs.
Role & Responsibilities
- Support the Senior Design Director in the creative development of handbags and small leather goods from concept through to final product execution.
- Conduct seasonal trend, market, and material research to inform and support the seasonal design direction.
- Create and maintain detailed CADs and technical specification packages to clearly communicate design intent, construction details, and material usage to factories and product development partners.
- Prepare design presentations, mood boards, and visual aids for milestone reviews and commercial meetings.
- Organize and maintain samples, panels, trials, and reference libraries in a systematic manner to support development flow and decision-making.
- Collaborate with Merchandising, Product Development, Hardware Design, Tech Design and Print teams to ensure designs are commercially viable and production-ready.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, industrial design, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
- Minimum of 1+ years of hands‑on experience in accessory, leather goods, or related design roles.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong hand‑sketching ability and aptitude for translating concepts into technical documentation.
- Knowledge of raw materials and leather construction techniques, with an eye for detail and quality.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced creative environment.
- Self‑motivated, flexible, and eager to learn.
Skills
Experience
At least 1 year of professional experience in accessory or leather goods design, product development, or a closely related role, with exposure to technical packs and factory communication.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in fashion design, industrial design, or related field; equivalent combination of education and work experience considered.
Workplace
This position is based in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 30 to USD 30.30 per hour.
Benefits
Medical insurance; Dental insurance; Vision insurance; 401(k); Paid paternity and maternity leave; Commuter benefits; Disability insurance; Tuition assistance.
Culture
Kate Spade fosters a creative, optimistic workplace rooted in accessible luxury and playful design, operating within Tapestry’s multi‑brand, inclusive environment. The brand values collaboration across disciplines, rapid iteration, and a commitment to diversity and professional development.
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 Tapestry, 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 «Assistant Handbag Designer», «Junior Leather Goods Designer», «Outlet Accessory Designer», «Assistant SLG (Small Leather Goods) Designer», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.