Senior Leather Goods Designer

About De Mellier

Our Story

We are a modern affordable luxury handbag brand, crafting timeless and elegant styles that are made to last. Founded with a vision to do things differently, we create handbags that empower women, are sustainably sourced and ethically made, and give back to those who need it most. These principles guide everything we do. We are committed to driving change, championing equality, and celebrating women.

Through our permanent charity initiative, ‘A Bag, A Life’, every purchase funds lifesaving vaccines and medical treatments for children in need, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages. To date, we have funded over 1,000,000 vaccines. Join us and be part of an award-winning, purpose-driven brand that fosters creativity, collaboration, and meaningful impact within the luxury industry.

Senior Leather Goods Designer

The Role Overview

The Senior Leather Goods Designer will work closely with the Design Director to design and develop DeMellier’s leather goods collections. This role is suited to a highly creative designer with an exceptional eye for detail, a strong passion for research, and a deep understanding of craftsmanship. The Designer will play an important role in progressing collections from concept through development while maintaining excellent organisation, communication, and collaboration across teams.

The Ideal Candidate

• Must have the full right to work in the UK
• Fluent in English, Italian or Spanish would be a plus
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in Accessories Design or equivalent
• Has a minimum of 5 years’ experience designing leather goods or accessories within a premium or luxury brand
• Highly creative with a refined design aesthetic and excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrates strong research skills and the ability to translate inspiration into commercially relevant designs
• Highly proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Excellent sketching skills both digitally and by hand
• Confident in creating trials, mock ups, and design explorations
• Strong understanding of leather goods construction, materials, and pattern making
• Experienced in developing technical specifications, proto comments, and seasonal design overviews
• Proficiency in Rhino and CAD is a strong plus
• Highly organised and comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong communicator who collaborates effectively with cross functional teams and external partners
• Calm, focused, and solutions oriented in a fast paced environment
• Self motivated with a structured working style and strong sense of accountability
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, curiosity, integrity, and collaborative team spirit

The Role

• Conducts in depth design research including market analysis, vintage sourcing, library and museum research, material exploration, and trend research
• Translates research and creative direction into original leather goods designs and hardware aligned with brand DNA
• Develops sketches, design drawings, and visual presentations
• Explores shapes, constructions, materials, and detailing through trials and mock ups
• Maintains consistently high creative and aesthetic standards across all design output

• Supports the development of designs from concept through to industrialisation in collaboration with product development and factories
• Reviews samples and provides clear, detailed design feedback
• Works closely with pd and suppliers to resolve construction, hardware and material challenges

• Communicates the progress of the collection clearly and regularly to cross functional teams including product development, merchandising, production, brand and creative.
• Prepares and contributes to design presentations and internal reviews
• Ensures design intent is clearly understood across teams
• Ensures all shared files, trackers, documents and overviews are up to date

• Helps set up and prepare for design meetings, sample reviews, and presentations
• Maintains a tidy, well organised design office and archive including samples, materials, mood boards and seasonal references
• Keeps all seasonal design files, line sheets, overviews, briefings and documentation accurate and up to date on the server

• Works a minimum of three days per week from the office
• Travels approximately twice per month to European factories and material sourcing fairs as required by the role
• Represents DeMellier professionally when working with external partners and suppliers

• Hybrid working policy - 3 office days per week
• Annual leave package with additional length of service days
• Enhanced company maternity policy
• Yearly time allocated to volunteer for a charity of your choice
• Employee discount including 50 percent off stock and up to 90 percent off seasonal sample sales