Head of Accessories and Bags Design

Working at Stella McCartney is a truly rewarding experience. As a luxury fashion company with a strong ethical standpoint, we are leaders and innovators in our industry.

The Head of Bags and Accessories Design leads the Bags and Accessories design team, driving the creative vision and strategy for all accessories lines. This role demands a highly experienced and proactive leader with a strong understanding of luxury fashion, design principles, and market trends, who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Your Mission:

• Lead and inspire the Bags and Accessories design team, providing clear direction, mentorship, and support.
• Collaborate closely with the Creative Director and RTW Design Director, managing their creative vision and translating it into qualitative product.
• Create and develop Mood boards and original inspiration themes to present to the Creative Director for the seasonal collection and colour card proposals.
• Lead design and research efforts to identify emerging trends, innovative materials, and new technologies.
• Oversee the fabric and prototype archive, ensuring organisation and accessibility for the design team.
• Develop and execute the seasonal design strategy for all bags and accessories categories, creating 10-15 new styles per event.
• Respond to the BU Director for development, helping the process with the timeline of the collection.
• Collaborate with Merchandiser, understanding the structure of the collection and sharing the trend of the season.
• Oversee the entire design process, from concept development and sketching to correcting prototypes, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Prepare and distribute design scans and specifications to the Product Manager.
• Maintain good communication with the product development team in Italy following each fitting and design meeting.
• Ensure adherence to collection deadlines, managing the accessories and bag design team resources effectively.
• Maintain the organisation of the accessories and bags fitting room, ensuring a productive workspace.

Your Talent:

• Trend awareness, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, materials, and styles.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive experience in a leadership role within a luxury fashion house, focusing on accessories and bags.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire a design team, fostering a collaborative and creative environment.
• Strong understanding of the Stella McCartney heritage, ethical values, and brand DNA.
• Excellent design and technical skills, with a deep understanding of materials, construction techniques, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to create and facilitate appropriate timelines for design.
• Affinity with the values of Stella McCartney, the brand identity, and style of the accessories and bags collection.
• Strong travel budget management and resource allocation skills.
• Experience with CAD software, Adobe Suite, and Photoshop.
• Italian language skills are desirable.
• Knowledge of legal requirements for confidentiality and intellectual property.

Reward:

• Up to 50% discount on Stella McCartney products.
• Matched pension contribution up to 6%.
• Extensive private medical and critical illness insurance, as well as life assurance.
• Annual Health Screening.
• 25 days annual leave (not including Bank Holidays) + 1 day of Birthday leave.
• Flexible working/core hours.
• Enhanced Maternity/paternity packages.
• Matched Give as You Earn charity scheme.
• Discounted gym and fitness memberships.
• Health cash plan.
• Physical and Mental Wellbeing Support Services.
• Employee referral bonus.

We welcome people with disabilities and endeavour to make reasonable adjustments. At Stella McCartney, we like to be bold. Our mission is to bring conscience to the industry through our shared values and activist non-conformity.