At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop stunning leather goods collections with a focus on creativity and craftsmanship.
- Company: Join DeMellier, a purpose-driven luxury handbag brand empowering women and promoting sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, maternity policy, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a brand that makes a real impact while showcasing your design talent.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in leather goods design, strong research skills, and proficiency in Adobe tools.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About DeMellier
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.
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
Design and Research- 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 product development 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, moodboards 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
Benefits
- 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
Senior Leather Goods Designer in London employer: DeMellier
Contact Detail:
DeMellier Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Leather Goods Designer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and join relevant online communities. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work. We recommend tailoring it to showcase designs that align with DeMellier’s ethos of sustainability and elegance. A strong visual presentation can really make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the brand inside out. Understand their collections, values, and recent projects. We want you to be able to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with theirs, especially around empowering women and ethical practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our mission-driven team at DeMellier.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Leather Goods Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for design shine through! Talk about what inspires you and how that aligns with our mission at DeMellier. We love to see creativity and enthusiasm in your words.
Tailor Your Portfolio: Make sure your portfolio reflects the kind of work we do at DeMellier. Highlight projects that showcase your skills in leather goods design and your understanding of craftsmanship. We want to see how you can contribute to our brand!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at DeMellier.
How to prepare for a job interview at DeMellier
✨Know Your Craft
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of leather goods construction and materials. Be ready to discuss your design process and how you translate inspiration into commercially viable products. Show them that you understand the intricacies of craftsmanship and can speak confidently about your previous work.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best designs, especially those that align with DeMellier's ethos of timeless elegance and sustainability. Include sketches, mock-ups, and any trials you've created. This is your chance to demonstrate your refined design aesthetic and attention to detail.
✨Research the Brand
Dive deep into DeMellier’s story and values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and social impact. During the interview, reference specific collections or initiatives that resonate with you, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the brand’s mission.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since collaboration is key in this role, be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your organisational skills and how you keep projects on track, as this will show you can thrive in a fast-paced environment.