Tapestry Soft Accessories Designer
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Mid-Level
- Compensation
- $76,000–95,000/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Apr 7, 2026
About Tapestry
Kate Spade New York is a global lifestyle brand renowned for its colorful, optimistic design perspective across handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear and home décor. As a member of the Tapestry portfolio, the maison operates within a larger house of brands that emphasizes creativity, inclusivity and cross-brand collaboration.
Kate Spade New York — Soft Accessories Designer in New York. Lead accessory design, manage licensee collaboration and deliver seasonal collections.
Role & Responsibilities
- Act as primary liaison with licensee design teams to drive seasonal design execution and communicate brand direction.
- Maintain design integrity and uphold brand standards throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Conduct seasonal trend research and competitive market analysis to inform directional decisions.
- Support the Design Director with seasonal trend inspiration presentations and concept development.
- Own department project management: enforce timelines, ensure licensees and internal teams meet milestones and final calendar dates.
- Prepare for and manage design meetings, document decisions, and lead post-meeting follow-up.
- Collaborate closely with the Art Department to specify seasonal artwork needs and oversee final pass-off to licensees or factories.
- Partner with merchandising and licensing teams throughout the design cycle to align assortment, materials, and commercial priorities.
- Initiate cross-collaboration with in-house teams (Handbags, RTW, Jewelry, Shoes, Home) to consolidate design assets (swatches, hardware, artwork) and seasonal direction.
- Communicate internal design priorities and mid-season changes at sketch, prototype and market sample reviews to direct team and licensees.
- Manage project requests through to final approvals, coordinating with art, hardware, editorial and legal stakeholders.
- Maintain organized seasonal boards and design libraries by category.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the fashion industry.
- Proven experience in accessory design; RTW experience preferred.
- Deep familiarity with high-fashion market trends and luxe raw materials.
- Demonstrable construction knowledge across multiple design categories.
- Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage deadlines and complex calendars.
- Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
- Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Skills
Experience
At least 5+ years in the fashion industry with a focus on accessory product development; experience spanning accessories and ready-to-wear, plus exposure to high-fashion materials and construction methods is preferred.
Education
Bachelor's degree in fashion design, product design, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
Workplace
This position is based in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 76,000 to USD 95,000 per annum.
Benefits
Medical insurance; Dental insurance; Vision insurance; 401(k); Paid paternity and maternity leave; Commuter benefits; Disability insurance; Tuition assistance.
Culture
The role sits within a creative, optimistic workplace that values bold, everyday-luxury design and collaborative cross-brand thinking. As part of Tapestry, the organisation emphasizes inclusion, professional development and a results-oriented, team-focused approach.
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 «Accessory Designer», «Handbag & Accessories Designer», «Soft Goods Product Designer», «Accessories Design Specialist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.