Posted 1d ago

Freelance Leathergoods Designer

@ Polène
Paris, Île-de-France, France
OnsiteContract
Responsibilities:Develop concepts, Draft specs, Collaborate creatively
Requirements Summary:5-10 years in handbag design; proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign; strong leather construction knowledge; autonomous and collaborative; hands-on craftsmanship.
Technical Tools Mentioned:Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Hand drawing, Salpa, Microfiber
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Job Description

Founded in 2016, Polène is a French leather goods house distinguished by its dedication to exceptional craftsmanship, creating timeless pieces with organic designs inspired directly by nature.
In a context of strong growth and international expansion, we are structuring our operations in 2026 and surrounding ourselves with top talent to develop refined expertise across all areas of the organization.
Our resolutely artistic positioning supports the elevation of our handbags and jewelry collections, powered by the work of 1000 artisans in our Spanish workshops in Ubrique.

The Polène story can be written with you.

Within the Design team

As part of our Studio’s Design division, you will collaborate with a team of around twelve people responsible for the creation and development of Polène’s leather goods and jewelry collections.

Your missions will include :

1/ Creative concepts and collection development

  • Conduct iconographic research and build moodboards from creative briefs to inspire the creation of new models or enrich existing lines.

  • Translate concepts into sketches, technical drawings (Illustrator), Photoshop simulations, and handcrafted mock-ups.

  • Create physical prototypes at various stages of development to test proportions, volumes, and detailing.

2/ Technical follow-up with our ateliers

  • Draft technical specification sheets for our in-house or external manufacturing partners (France, Spain, English-speaking countries).

  • Prepare correction sheets to guide the development and refinement of prototypes.

  • Closely monitor project progress in coordination with the Collection and Sourcing teams.

3/ Contribution to the collective creative process

  • Take part in bi-monthly design meetings with the CEO and relevant teams to present project updates.

  • Bring your design and materials expertise to the table to enrich the creative conversation and evolve the identity of Polène’s collections.

  • Stay consistently up to date on industry trends, artisanal techniques, and innovations in leather goods

Our expectations

  • You are looking for a freelance opportunity in a growing leathergoods and jewelry brand.

  • You have 5 to 10 years of experience in handbag design, with strong expertise in leather goods construction techniques, leather materials, and the engineering of metal components.

  • You are proficient in Adobe Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), skilled in hand drawing, and capable of building mock-ups using salpa and/or microfiber.

  • You demonstrate strong creativity, a sensitivity aligned with Polène’s aesthetic, and a genuine interest in hands-on craftsmanship.

  • You are autonomous, detail-oriented, well-organized, and able to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

  • You enjoy working collaboratively, have excellent interpersonal skills, and are motivated to contribute to a dynamic, collective design process.

At Polène, we are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and to ensuring that all candidates are selected and promoted with fairness and integrity.