Design Director, Accessories

OVERVIEW

Marc Jacobs International, powered by the creative genius of Marc Jacobs, seeks a Design Director - Leather goods to join the Accessories Design team based in its New York City (SoHo) headquarters. Marc Jacobs International is part of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) fashion division and operates in the wholesale and direct to consumer retail markets. The role will report to the Commercial Creative Director, working closely on design and development for Marc Jacobs Leather goods.

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

• Manage and direct the accessories team to create contemporary, competitive and innovative handbag and SLG collections, in accordance with the Marc Jacobs aesthetic.
• Provide design direction for new silhouettes, seasonal concepts and innovative animations.
• Create impactful and inspirational design boards.
• Lead the design process in end-to-end execution: concept to sketch, proto to sample, sample to production.
• Forge synergistic alliances with partnering design and cross-function teams to create a unified collection.
• Work with merchandising and product development teams to deliver cost-engineered and critical solutions throughout the creative design and development process.
• Brief and review material research to present to CCD, collaborating with Product Development and Materials teams.
• Serve as a key participant in all critical product meetings.

MANAGE DESIGN TEAM

• Lead team by example:
  Mentor, inspire, and develop the design team to be creative, thoughtful, exacting, and collaborative to achieve creative excellence.
• Guide and motivate a design team to develop original, solution-oriented products that capture the essence of the Marc Jacobs brand.
• Inspire creative thinking within the team and encourage the development of fresh concepts that build upon the brand's defining products.
• Ensure organization: manage team’s output, ensuring timely approach to the seasonal development calendar, and collaboration with the merchandising team.

TECHNICAL DESIGN

• Sketch, spec, and detail handbags and groups - Develop detailed technical specifications using Adobe Illustrator for accurate tech packs.
• Review and correct development samples to maintain comprehensive product knowledge, monitoring all modifications.
• Provide technical expertise for new silhouettes – inspiring creative problem solving with in the design process, through collaboration with the PD team.
• Recognize cost-effective engineering and material optimization opportunities.
• Oversee team in organizing the AI and PDF files of sketches, artwork, color ups and tech packs in the archiving system.
• Oversee the team in developing and maintaining Illustrator component libraries.

• Bachelor’s degree in Art, Fashion Design, or another related field.
• 10+ years design experience with demonstrated success.
• Excellent taste level & brand awareness.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the accessories market, specializing in bag design and development.
• Exhibit a refined eye for color, market trends, technical product knowledge, a love of Marc Jacobs, and fashion history awareness.
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the design and product development lifecycle.
• Demonstrate a strong aptitude for both design execution and conceptual design development.
• Proficient in organization, time management, and both written and verbal communication, with a proven ability to deliver engaging presentations.
• Candidate must possess a strong working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Office applications.

Marc Jacobs is a leading force in fashion, known for pioneering designs and an irreverent spirit that celebrates the everyday and the extraordinary. The brand continues to make its Marc: staying rebellious, unpredictable, and original. The core brand pillars are unexpected, utilitarian, urban, unisex, and unique. New York City in design and spirit, the teams thrive on relentless authenticity, a commitment to standing out, and inclusivity for all.

Founded on the vision of celebrating uniqueness and being Perfect as You Are, Marc Jacobs International is committed to building an equitable and inclusive culture. We value diversity of…