Senior Handbag Designer

ABOUT THE BRAND

At Karl Lagerfeld, we are driven by Karl’s mantra: “Embrace the present and invent the future.” Always contemporary and forward-looking, the House of KARL LAGERFELD shares the creative vision and design aesthetic of its iconic founder, Karl Lagerfeld. We are the only fashion house that carries Karl’s name on its door and we strive to live up to this responsibility in everything we do, every day, with the utmost joy and passion.

Our headquarters in Paris and in Amsterdam are home to a highly diverse and driven team of KARL family members that hail from over 50 countries. Together, we aim to create meaningful stories and product concepts that connect to Karl’s world and iconic attributes. Women’s & Men's ready-to-wear, bags, small leather goods, swimwear and underwear are managed directly from our Amsterdam headquarters, while other categories, including footwear, fragrances, eyewear and more, are developed with best-in-class licensing partners.

We connect with our consumers on multiple levels, ensuring that our online and offline approach goes hand in hand. We thrive to maximize consumer engagement via more than 200 KL stores worldwide, our premium wholesale partners, and our strong digital footprint, spearheaded by our KARL.COM flagship store, which reaches 96 countries. Our digital channels currently represent more than 30% of our overall full-price business.

We are a dynamic, fast-growing and inclusive company built on professionalism and strong values. At KARL LAGERFELD we’re committed to working toward the highest standards of sustainability and integrity across all areas of our business. In 2019, KARL LAGERFELD joined as a founding member of the Fashion Pact, a global sustainability initiative seeking to transform the fashion industry through objectives in three areas: climate, biodiversity and ocean protection.

The Role

We are looking to hire a bag designer with approximately 5 years of experience, capable of managing projects independently and collaboratively, and delivering high quality creative and technical work aligned with Karl Lagerfeld’s Brand identity. The ideal candidate may already be senior or in transition toward senior level, and with the attitude and potential to grow within the company, eventually step into a manager role in the future. Ability to work with AI based tools is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop bag collections aligned with the brand strategy.
• Create moodboards, concepts, and conduct trend research.
• Produce hand sketches and digital drawings.
• Use AI tools for ideation, concept development, research, and workflow optimisation.
• Develop accurate and detailed technical packs.
• Select leathers, materials, hardware, and components.
• Coordinate with the development team and international suppliers.
• Oversee sample development: prototypes, adjustments, and approvals.
• Ensure aesthetic consistency, functionality, quality, and cost feasibility.
• Contribute to innovation in construction, materials, and sustainability.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in bag design / leather goods.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator (mandatory).
• Hands-on experience using AI tools (e.g., Midjourney, Firefly, ChatGPT, design-assist tools) to support creative processes, technical documentation, research, or workflow automation.
• Solid knowledge of materials, leather types, and bag manufacturing processes.
• Ability to manage end-to-end projects independently.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong aesthetic judgement.
• Professional English for communication with suppliers.
• Updated portfolio demonstrating both technical skill and creativity.

Key Competencies

• Self-management and confident decision-making.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Creativity with commercial understanding.
• Clear, effective communication.
• Team-oriented attitude and collaborative mindset.
• Curiosity and openness to new technologies and digital tools.

Additional Valued Experience

• Background in premium or international fashion brands.
• Awareness of global bag and accessories trends.
• Interest in material innovation and sustainability.
• Experience with 3D design tools (CLO, etc.) is a plus.

Why #TEAMKARL?

• Learning and development courses/training
• Opportunity to make an impact
• Remote working arrangements
• Relocation allowance
• Bonus holidays
• Working in the heart of Amsterdam
• Brand discounts
• And exclusive sample sales only for #TEAMKARL

The collective vision of KARL LAGERFELD is to be the most connected global designer brand, inspiring consumers through luxury collections and immersing them in the World of KARL.