Women's Leather Goods Designer

Established in Somerset in 1971, Mulberry has grown to be the largest maker of luxury leather goods in the United Kingdom. With a contemporary take on British heritage and a focus on responsible craft, our ambition is to create progressive luxury. 

Sustainability has been part of the Mulberry ethos since the brand's inception, in recognition of our purpose-driven approach, in 2024 we proudly achieved B Corp Certification. 

Today, we are a global brand, but our values remain the same; we are committed to improving our impact on people and the planet. If these are values you share, we would love you to join our team.

The Role:

As a Women’s Leather Goods Designer, you will work with the Head of Leather Goods Design and Creative Studio team to develop the women’s leather goods collection. You will work on the research, design and development to create new and progressive designs. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Research:

- Responsible for conducting research to identify new and progressive designs.

- Display resourcefulness with a variety of research techniques including library and market research.

- Seek out and identify interesting leather goods to use for shape / material / treatment reference on research trips in London and abroad.

Design:

- Responsible for the development of new designs for the Women’s Leather Goods collections; working closely with the wider team.

- Experiment with different ideas, techniques, materials to push the creativity and to make the collections diverse and inspiring.

- Be confident at developing ideas 3-dimensionally and always looking to develop design ideas in more original and modern ways.

- Push the collection to be as luxurious and innovative as possible whilst maintaining a true Mulberry aesthetic.

Responsibility:

- Responsible for completing accurate specification sheets for suppliers.

- Ensure critical path is adhered to and work towards key dates; identify potential risks and review actions to avoid delays.

- Communicate regularly with Hea of Leather Goods Design any ideas, issues, progress, delays etc.

Prototypes and samples:

- Work with the development team and suppliers to ensure prototypes come in for planned review meetings.

- Responsible for liaising with suppliers; ensuring designs are provided in good time to develop prototypes.

Specs:

- Work closely with production teams to ensure product specs are accurate for target costings and production handover.

- Produce accurate sketches and CADs; ensuring modifications are accurately recorded after fits to provide to production team.

Team:

- Ability to work with in a dynamic and fast paced Design team.

- Work effectively with wider teams to ensure a smooth design to production process.

- Be adaptable to changes in pace and requests from the marketing team.

Culture:

- Understand and demonstrate the Mulberry employee values and behaviours: Be Bold, Be Imaginative, Be Open, Be Responsible.

-  Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues.

- Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.

Sustainability:

− As a certified B Corp business, it is important to incorporate environmentally responsible practices into your work wherever possible. Support the businesses ‘Five C’s’ strategy in addressing and improving Climate, Cultivation, Craft, Culture and Circularity. Promote a greener, more sustainable future.

− Support to foster an environment where diversity is embraced and all individuals feel valued, respected and included. Promote equity, empathy and understanding and demonstrate this commitment within your internal and external communities. 

Skills and Experience Required:

- Appropriate degree supported by a strong portfolio.

- At least 6 years’ experience in the industry (can include work experience / gap years).

- At least 1-2 years’ experience in a similar position.

- Wide knowledge of leather goods.

- Experience of working in a busy design studio organising and prioritising a demanding workload.

- Designing, planning and developing a collection.

- Enthusiastic and Passionate about Fashion.

- Reliable and Practical.

- Ability to work effectively with a team and on an individual basis.

- Fluent in English.

Other:

- Flexibility to travel when required. 

Mulberry is an equal opportunities employer and we are passionate about hiring and developing the best talent. All hiring decisions are made only on the basis of qualifications, skills or experience and as they relate to the particular role. If you need us to make any adjustments to our application or interview processes to enable you to be at your best, please email us at [email protected].