Leather Goods Repairer

Overview

Chanel is an independent French maison celebrated for its couture, ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, fragrance and beauty lines. As an employer, Chanel emphasises craft, discretion and exacting quality standards, operating ateliers and retail locations worldwide that combine heritage savoir‑faire with ongoing training for specialist artisans.

Role & Responsibilities

• Inspect, diagnose and execute repairs and restorations on luxury leather goods (handbags, small leather accessories, belts) to maison quality standards.
• Perform hand‑stitching, machine sewing, skiving, edge finishing and leather dyeing to match original textures and colours.
• Replace or repair hardware (zippers, snaps, buckles, rivets) and perform structural restorations where required.
• Conduct final quality control checks and document repairs in the atelier system, ensuring traceability and adherence to Chanel repair protocols.
• Liaise with boutique teams and client service to communicate repair timelines, costs and technical constraints.
• Maintain and calibrate workshop tools and machines; order consumables and report on parts inventory.
• Train and mentor junior technicians or apprentices and contribute to continuous improvement of repair processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience repairing and restoring high‑end or luxury leather goods (portfolio or work samples preferred).
• Demonstrable knowledge of leather types, tannage variations and appropriate repair techniques.
• Excellent manual dexterity, attention to detail and a strong sense of finish.
• Familiarity with atelier safety standards and ability to handle specialised equipment.
• Professional demeanour, discretion with client property and ability to work within a luxury retail timetable.

Skills

Experience

Typically 3+ years of hands‑on experience in leather repair or leathercraft, ideally within a luxury or designer leather goods environment. Experience mentoring junior staff or running a small atelier is an advantage.

Education

Vocational qualification or apprenticeship in leatherwork, saddlery, shoemaking or a related craft discipline; equivalent professional experience will be accepted.

Culture

The workplace culture prizes artisanal excellence, meticulous attention to detail and respect for heritage techniques. Technicians operate within a collaborative atelier environment that balances traditional craftsmanship with rigorous quality controls and client confidentiality.