Handbag Designer (New York City Metropolitan Area)

Gina Concepts, a leading fashion company based in New York City, is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Handbag & Accessories Designer to join our dynamic team. Renowned for our expertise in manufacturing, licensing, and distributing fashion-forward products, we specialize in accessories, footwear, handbags, hosiery, and intimate apparel. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and highly organized individual to contribute to the design and development of multiple brands and private label collections. The role encompasses a wide product range including handbags, small leather goods (SLGs), cosmetic cases, and travel bags. Key Responsibilities for Handbag Designer: Lead the end-to-end design and development process for handbags, backpacks, and small leather goods from initial concept through final production. Research and interpret seasonal fashion and market trends, including silhouettes, colors, materials, trims, hardware, prints, and construction techniques through market shopping, trend meetings, trade shows, and industry research. Develop seasonal design concepts, mood boards, color palettes, material stories, prints, and graphic applications that align with brand direction and market opportunities. Create original handbag and accessory designs while continuously identifying opportunities to enhance and expand existing product assortments. Partner with the Design Director and business leadership to merchandise cohesive, commercially viable collections by brand and customer. Create detailed sketches, technical designs, tech packs, line sheets, style guides, presentation boards, and other design documentation required throughout the development process. Prepare and present design concepts, collections, and line sheets for internal teams, sales presentations, buyers, customers, and other external partners. Manage the sample development process, including sample requests, tracking, reviews, revisions, approvals, and follow-up to ensure development milestones and deadlines are met. Communicate daily with overseas factories and sourcing partners regarding product development, sample status, revisions, materials, construction, costs, and estimated completion dates. Review and approve pre-production (PPS) samples, ensuring design, construction, materials, hardware, functionality, color, and overall execution meet established requirements. Provide clear and timely sample corrections and revisions to overseas partners and follow through to ensure all updates are accurately implemented. Maintain accurate and up-to-date style information, line sheets, development documentation, and sample status within the PLM system; finalize adopted styles for production. Collaborate with overseas partners on material development and approvals, with a particular focus on PU/faux leather, hardware, trims, and other handbag components. Prepare detailed seasonal approval packages for licensors and ensure all required approvals are completed within established timelines. Partner closely with Design, Production, Sales, Sourcing, Licensing, and business leadership to ensure products are developed efficiently and align with creative, commercial, and production requirements. Participate in sales meetings, customer presentations, and buyer meetings, presenting collections and supporting the sales process with product knowledge and design expertise. Proactively identify and resolve design, material, construction, and development issues to keep projects moving forward and ensure products are delivered on schedule.