Tapestry Associate Technical Designer
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Junior
- Compensation
- $64,350–78,700/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Apr 13, 2026
About Tapestry
Kate Spade New York is a global lifestyle brand within the Tapestry portfolio, recognised for its colorful, optimistic aesthetic and accessible luxury across handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear and home. As part of Tapestry — a multi‑brand house of fashion labels — Kate Spade combines creative design heritage with global product development and cross‑channel retail operations.
Kate Spade (Tapestry) seeks an Associate Technical Designer in New York to support handbag product development and technical specifications.
Role & Responsibilities
- Partner with Design, Product Development and Merchandising to create, maintain and pass technical product specifications from concept through production.
- Support proto rounds by translating designer intent into accurate specs, verifying sketches, measurements and construction details.
- Assist Tech Designer and Senior Tech Designer with final bulk pass‑offs, executing spec updates and ensuring post‑market changes are approved by design.
- Ensure consistency of product specifications across factories and seasons and assist in review and correction of post‑market samples.
- Contribute to the creation and maintenance of digital design detail and standards libraries.
- Research product functionality and market trends to inform technical solutions and materials choices.
- Produce CAD and artwork assets as required using Illustrator and Photoshop.
Qualifications
- College degree in fashion design, accessory design, or a related field.
- Minimum 2–4 years of experience in technical design or product development, ideally within handbags or accessories.
- Proven proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Strong written and verbal communication, including professional email etiquette.
- Meticulous note taking and organisational skills; ability to manage fluctuating development calendars and deadlines.
- Construction knowledge preferred; flexibility to work on‑site as required by the development schedule.
Skills
Experience
2–4 years of hands‑on experience in technical design or product development, preferably in handbags, accessories, or apparel, with exposure to proto rounds, spec management and factory communications.
Education
College degree in fashion design, accessory design, 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 64,350 to USD 78,700 per annum.
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 that celebrates bold design and community. As part of Tapestry, the brand operates within a collaborative, inclusive environment that values diversity, professional development and cross‑brand innovation.
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 «Technical Designer — Handbags», «Product Development Technician», «Assistant Technical Designer», «Accessory Technical 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.