Design Director, Luggage

American Exchange Group

$120K — $150K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years in luggage, handbag, or travel accessories design with full category ownership
  • Proven leadership in design direction with hands-on involvement
  • Strong portfolio reflecting trend leadership and technical expertise
  • Advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Deep knowledge of materials and manufacturing for socks/hosiery
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented with effective follow-through
  • Strong multi-tasking ability and capacity to meet tight deadlines
  • Collaborative leader with excellent communication skills
  • Passionate about product and business with an entrepreneurial mindset
  • Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or related field (preferred)

Responsibilities

  • Own and lead the creative vision for luggage and travel accessories
  • Direct seasonal line development from concept to production
  • Translate market trends and insights into brand-appropriate products
  • Approve technical drawings and production-ready artwork for accuracy
  • Collaborate with Merchandising, Production, and Sales for design alignment
  • Balance creativity with efficiency in a high-volume environment
  • Drive continuous improvement in design processes and workflows
  • Support special projects and additional design initiatives as necessary

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
  • Flexible Fridays with shortened hours in Summer and Winter
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Tax-free commuter benefits
  • Exclusive employee merchandise discounts
Full Job Description
Design Director -Women's Hosiery/Socks

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Luggage Design to lead the creative direction and execution of our luggage and travel accessories categories. This role is responsible for setting the overall design strategy, driving seasonal line development, and ensuring product aligns with brand vision, trend direction, margin targets, and operational capabilities. The Director will partner closely with Merchandising, Production, and Sales to deliver compelling, commercially successful assortments.

Location:

This is 5 days onsite at our NYC headquarters in the Garment District.

Primary Job Responsibilities:
  • Own and lead the creative vision and design strategy for the luggage and travel accessories category across seasons and accounts
  • Direct seasonal line development from concept through production-ready execution, ensuring consistency with brand DNA and business objectives
  • Translate market trends, customer insights, and competitive analysis into commercial, brand-appropriate product within pricing and margin targets
  • Oversee and approve specs, technical drawings, and production-ready artwork to ensure accuracy, quality, and manufacturability
  • Partner cross-functionally with Merchandising, Production, Sourcing, and Sales to align design direction with capacity, timelines, and cost parameters
  • Balance creativity with speed, efficiency, and execution in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
  • Drive continuous improvement in design processes and workflows to support scale and growth
  • Support additional design initiatives and special projects as needed


Qualifications & Experience:
  • 7+ years of experience in luggage, handbag, or travel accessories design, with demonstrated ownership of full categories
  • Proven ability to lead design direction while remaining hands-on as needed
  • Strong portfolio showcasing trend leadership, commercial sensibility, and technical expertise
  • Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Deep knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing processes specific to socks/hosiery
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and process-driven with strong follow-through
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, tight deadlines, and fast-turn production cycles
  • Collaborative leadership style with strong communication and cross-functional partnership skills
  • High energy, entrepreneurial mindset, and passion for product and the business
  • Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Product Design, or related field (preferred)


What We Offer
  • Comprehensive Health & Wellness Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
  • Flexible Fridays with shortened hours during both Summer and Winter seasons
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Tax-free commuter benefits
  • Exclusive employee merchandise discounts


Salary: The anticipated base salary is $120k-$150k annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, internal equity, and location.

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