Associate Designer - Madewell Handbags

Madewell • New York, NY

21d • $64,200 - $77,000

About The Position

At Madewell, we believe that great style starts with great design. Since 2006, we’ve been creating premium denim and foundational wardrobe pieces for men and women that balance quality, authenticity, and versatility. From iconic jeans perfected by denim experts to the essential tee, the most versatile shoe, and the timeless leather bag—if it’s Madewell, it’s made well. Our dedication to Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Sustainability has been celebrated with industry recognition, reflecting our commitment to fostering an inclusive and sustainable workplace. Role + Purpose The Handbags Associate Designer will support the Sr. Designer in developing seasonal handbag collections from concept through production. This role requires strong creative sensibility, organizational skills, and the ability to translate design vision into compelling, commercially viable products while meeting key development milestones.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of design experience, preferably in handbags or accessories
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or related field
• Strong aesthetic sensibility with a high level of creativity and attention to detail
• Excellent presentation and visual communication skills
• Strong illustration and sketching abilities (hand and digital)
• Knowledge of handbag construction, materials, hardware, and trims
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Collaborative team player with strong follow-through
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Sr. Designer to develop concepts, silhouette direction, materials, and color stories for seasonal handbag assortments.
• Create and maintain professional presentation boards including sketches, inspiration imagery, materials, hardware, and construction details.
• Research and interpret seasonal trends, themes, and detail direction relevant to handbags and accessories.
• Organize and manage material, color, and hardware libraries; prepare samples and standards for milestone meetings.
• Execute and maintain seasonal line lists, ensuring alignment with the product development calendar and key deadlines.
• Collaborate with Technical Design to ensure accuracy of specifications from initial concept through technical design packages.
• Participate in fittings, reviews, and product walkthroughs with the Designer or Design Director.
• Work cross-functionally with Production to maintain design intent throughout the development and production process.
• Track development progress and proactively follow up on outstanding items to ensure timely execution.

Benefits

• Health & Well-being - Eligible associates and family members receive medical, dental, prescription and vision insurance, family planning (fertility, adoption & surrogacy support), fitness discounts, medical travel and more.
• Associate Discount - We love our products just as much as you do! That’s why we offer a great associate discount across all of our brands (J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, and Madewell).
• Summer Fridays - In addition to our hybrid work model, we also close our office at 1:00 PM every Friday during the Summer months.
• Community Impact - We support the communities where we live and work through our philanthropic efforts and the J.Crew Cares Program.
• Winter Break - In addition to our PTO package, J.Crew Group offers a winter break at the end of December to eligible full-time associates at the Home Office to provide time to refresh and recharge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level