SUMMARY

Highly creative multidisciplinary designer with 17+ years of experience specializing in women’s handbags and accessories. Renowned for fusing elevated craftsmanship with a deep knowledge of materials, construction, technical ability, and storytelling. Former designer at Calvin Klein Collection, Coach, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Sam Edelman & Proenza Schouler. Work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Architectural Digest, and worn by Kate Moss, Tyra Banks, Bruna Tenório, Kylie Jenner, Peaches, Princess Superstar & more. Former designer of the Hilma af Klint retrospective retail capsule collection for The Guggenheim Museum Store. Founder of INCOGNITÁ, a private design studio based in New York City, focused on high-concept, artisanal design and bespoke for private clientele. Available for full-time design, consulting, and leadership roles that challenge fashion's visionary creativity with precise execution.

EXPERTISE

  • Women’s Handbag Design

  • Concept Development & Moodboarding

  • Technical Specification & Factory Communication

  • Leather & Hardware Sourcing (Lineapelle, Italy & China)

  • PLM, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop

  • Rendering, Sketching, CAD (Digital & Hand Drawing)

  • Product Development, Sampling, Fittings

  • Brand Storytelling, Editorial Collaborations

EXPERIENCE

Nanette Lepore | Fantasia Accessories – New York, NY

Senior Designer – Women’s Handbags & Small Leather Goods

October 2025 – Present

  • Lead end-to-end design development for women’s handbags and small leather goods, from concept and sketching through prototyping, fittings, and final production.

  • Develop seasonal designs aligned with brand identity, trend research, and commercial targets.

  • Translate creative vision into production-ready designs that balance innovation, cost, and manufacturability.

  • Partner cross-functionally with merchandising, sourcing, development, and production teams to ensure on-time delivery and brand consistency.

  • Collaborate directly with overseas vendors and factories to refine construction, materials, hardware, and design details.

  • Support line planning and SKU rationalization to align creative output with commercial goals.

  • Manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously in a fast-paced development calendar.

  • Improve development efficiency by streamlining sample iterations and vendor communication.

INCOGNITÁ | Private Celebrity Client | Wedding Apparel & Accessories | New York, NY

Designer, Project Manager & On-Site Tailor

March 2025 — September 2025

  • Led the design, development, and execution of a comprehensive suite of bespoke wedding apparel and accessories for a private celebrity client, delivering a fully customized, high-end experience from concept to event day.

  • Partnered with Creative Director Shari Bisnaught to align accessory design with the overall styling vision, traditional design requests, and ceremonial requirements.

  • Designed and produced custom bridal, groom, and guest accessories, including hand-embroidered, hand-beaded, and tailored pieces across multiple categories, exceeding one hundred handmade corsages.

  • Oversaw end-to-end project management, including concept development, mockups, fittings, approvals, timelines, and final execution.

  • Sourced specialty materials, leathers, trims, and textiles; managed sample development, color swatching, and prototyping to meet exacting aesthetic and functional standards.

  • Hired and coordinated outsourced artisans, tailors, and assistants as needed, directing small production runs and ensuring consistency, quality, and on-time hand delivery.

  • Designed and constructed a custom ceremonial Barat (handheld wedding canopy) using family heirloom fabric; managed assembly, on-site functionality, disassembly, and post-event archival restoration.

  • Served as on-site tailor and design lead during the wedding event, ensuring proper fit, performance, and presentation of all garments and accessories for all persons in the client’s party.

  • Maintained direct communication with the client and lead stylist, responding to evolving needs through rapid redesigns, refinements, and last-minute adjustments.

Sam Edelman | Nicole Miller | HB Connections – New York, NY

Senior Designer – Women’s Handbags

June 2023 – January 2025

  • Led the seasonal design and direction for the Sam Edelman (launch Fall 2024 - Fall 2025) and Nicole Miller handbag collections

  • Worked directly with Sam Edelman and Nicole Miller teams to align with brand identity and market trends

  • Directed concept development, color direction, material sourcing, and hardware design for new silhouettes

  • Managed tech packs and sample development across international factory partners

  • Partnered with sales and merchandising teams to create commercially viable, elevated assortments for major retail accounts

  • Presented design concepts to leadership; drove innovation in textures, functionality, and brand storytelling.

  • Managed a team of three other designers as well as an international team, with travel abroad to factories

  • Achieved placement in top retailers, including Nordstrom, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, and Sam Edelman stores, domestic & international

  • Traveled to Paris with Sam Edelman & team to research emerging European market trends for adoption

  • Managed and developed additional accounts, including CLT (Sam Edelman China Retail Store Account) and Nordstrom Rack special development collection.

  • Traveled to China and Hong Kong to oversee factory showroom samples for the Spring 2025 collection.

Centric Brands | Jessica Simpson – New York, NY

Senior Accessories Designer – Contract – Women’s Handbags

Feb 2022 – March 2023

  • Led end-to-end development of seasonal women’s handbag collections for the Jessica Simpson brand, from concept and trend research through sampling and production readiness.

  • Researched, conceptualized, and designed key silhouettes aligned with major retail partners’ market direction, price architecture, and volume needs.

  • Developed detailed technical packages including construction callouts, materials, hardware specifications, and measurements; ensured accuracy and clarity for global production teams.

  • Oversaw sample development and iterative revisions with overseas factories, providing technical and aesthetic feedback to achieve design intent, quality standards, and cost targets.

  • Partnered cross-functionally with merchandising, sourcing, and product development to align design execution with business objectives and timelines.

  • Created and presented trend decks, mood boards, and competitive analyses to creative leadership to inform seasonal direction and category strategy.

  • Balanced creative vision with commercial viability, ensuring designs met brand DNA while remaining scalable for large-volume retail distribution.

  • Attended and contributed to meetings with the VP of Design, Design Director & Licensing Partner, Tina Simpson.

Tory Burch – New York, NY

Senior Technical Designer – Contract – Women’s Mainline Handbags

June 2021 – Feb 2022

  • Managed PLM systems, Bill of Materials (BOMs), and detailed technical specifications, maintaining accuracy across materials, hardware, construction, and measurements.

  • Partnered closely with Design, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to support on-time sample delivery and resolve construction, cost, and quality challenges throughout the development process.

  • Created highly detailed Illustrator technical drawings for new silhouettes, closures, hardware systems, and seasonal innovations to clearly communicate design intent to global factories.

  • Developed and refined tech packs and approval documentation, providing clear construction callouts and revision feedback to support efficient sample iteration.

  • Acted as a key liaison between design teams and overseas vendors, translating creative concepts into production-ready specifications while maintaining brand standards.

  • Supported continuous improvement of technical standards and workflows, contributing to more efficient development cycles and improved sample accuracy.

Michael Kors – New York, NY

Senior Freelance Technical Designer – Women’s Handbags (MMK)

Apr 2018 – May 2018

  • Supported rapid-turn development for the Michael Michael Kors women’s handbag line, producing production-ready techpacks for seasonal and carryover styles.

  • Created detailed technical drawings, embellishment layouts, and color CADs to clearly communicate design intent for global production handoff.

  • Partnered with design and development teams to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and consistency across materials, construction, and hardware specifications.

  • Designed and managed the technical development of the Kelsey Tote, a high-volume style that became a best-seller within the MMK assortment.

  • Played a key role in translating creative concepts into commercially scalable, production-feasible products under tight timelines.

Anne Klein | Steve Madden – New York, NY

Senior Designer - Women’s Handbags

June 2018 – Mar 2020

  • Led the seasonal design direction for the Anne Klein women’s handbag collection, overseeing concept development, silhouette evolution, and material strategy.

  • Designed and launched new handbag collections following the acquisition by Steve Madden, successfully evolving the line while preserving Anne Klein’s established brand DNA and customer base.

  • Directed silhouette development and materials sourcing, balancing modernized design updates with commercial viability and cost targets.

  • Managed and approved lab dips, trims, and hardware, ensuring quality standards, color accuracy, and consistency across the line.

  • Oversaw sample development and timelines, partnering with product development and global vendors to ensure on-time delivery in a fast-paced seasonal calendar.

  • Created CADs, renderings, and design updates to support rapid iteration, internal reviews, and vendor communication.

  • Collaborated cross-functionally with merchandising, sourcing, and development teams to align creative direction with business strategy during a period of brand transition.

Coach 1941 – New York, NY

Senior Freelance Designer – Team 8 - Women’s Handbags & Special Projects

Jan 2017 – Mar 2017

  • Developed handbag silhouettes and detailed specifications for the Coach 1941 Pre-Spring 2018 collection, contributing to high-concept seasonal design direction.

  • Collaborated closely with Ready-to-Wear design teams to ensure cohesive storytelling, styling, and color narratives across categories.

  • Created mockups, CADs, and color-up options to explore seasonal palettes, material combinations, and design iterations for internal reviews.

  • Researched and proposed hardware concepts, silhouette directions, and construction details, presenting findings to senior management during design reviews and style-outs.

  • Supported special projects and fast-turn initiatives, translating creative concepts into refined, presentation-ready materials under tight timelines.

Calvin Klein Collection | Phillips-Van Heusen – New York, NY

Designer I – Women’s Collection Handbags (Promotion)

Promotion
2015 – 2016
Design Director: Ulrich Grimm | Creative Director: Francisco Costa

  • Promoted to the Calvin Klein Collection team following successful contributions to the Specialty Retail launch.

  • Designed and developed luxury women’s handbags for the Madison Avenue Collection Store, aligned with Calvin Klein’s elevated, minimalist design language.

  • Collaborated directly with Creative Director Francisco Costa and Design Director Ulrich Grimm on silhouette refinement, material selection, and collection-level execution.

  • Led factory communication and sample development with Italian mills and specialty leather suppliers, ensuring Collection-level craftsmanship and quality standards.

  • Oversaw color direction, leather selection, and hardware development, contributing to best-selling seasonal styles within the Collection assortment.

  • Produced CADs, mockups, and refined specifications to support internal reviews and final approvals.

Calvin Klein Collection | Phillips-Van Heusen – New York, NY

Associate Designer – Specialty Retail - Women’s Handbag Launch

2014 – 2015

  • Played a key role in the launch of Calvin Klein’s Specialty Retail Accessories line, supporting the brand’s expansion into global retail markets.

  • Directed design and development across seasonal handbag assortments, balancing brand DNA with commercial price points and volume requirements.

  • Traveled internationally to Milan, Italy; Hong Kong; and mainland China for leather sourcing, factory visits, and hands-on sample development.

  • Partnered with global vendors to review materials, construction techniques, and prototype execution, ensuring alignment with design intent and production feasibility.

  • Conducted trend and market research to inform silhouette development, color palettes, and hardware direction for launch assortments.

Proenza Schouler – New York, NY

Design Intern – Women’s Runway & Retail - Handbags & Footwear

2013 – 2014

  • Supported the women’s handbag design team across runway and retail collections, contributing to seasonal concept development and design execution.

  • Created quick mockups, CADs, and visual studies for internal design reviews and approval meetings with Creative Directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

  • Assisted senior designers with material research and leather sourcing, organizing material bins, and preparing selections for seasonal approval meetings.

  • Conducted trend, reference, and inspiration research for handbags and footwear, compiling visual narratives to support seasonal storytelling.

  • Researched hardware concepts and construction references, contributing ideas for design presentations and early concept exploration.

  • Collaborated with sales and merchandising teams to support line reviews and ensure alignment between design vision and commercial strategy.

  • Gained hands-on exposure to the luxury runway development process, including fast-paced iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and high-level creative critique.

HONORS & FEATURES

Vogue Magazine, Architectural Digest – Guggenheim Capsule, 2018

Harper’s Bazaar Mexico – Cover & Editorial Handbag Feature, 2018

Calvin Klein Billboard - Handbag design modeled by Kate Moss – Houston St, NYC, 2017

PVH Thumbs Up Award – Calvin Klein, 2016

Outstanding Alumni Award – Massachusetts College of Art & Design, 2014

TYRA Magazine Cover, worn by Tyra Banks, 2010

EDUCATION

Massachusetts College of Art & Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Fashion Design

Graduation with Distinction 2005 - 2009

Fashion Institute of Technology

Plan for Success: Business Strategy Certificate 2013