Senior Licensing Designer

Overview

Michael Kors is a global luxury lifestyle brand known for accessible American sportswear and a strong accessories offering. The label operates within Capri Holdings, a multinational fashion group, and maintains a fast-paced, design-driven environment focused on global product innovation across ready-to-wear and accessories.

Role & Responsibilities

• Own and steer the creative direction for Michael Kors licensed accessory products from concept through final approval across watches, jewelry, eyewear, belts and kids’ accessories.
• Translate seasonal brand aesthetic, color palettes and print assortments into licensed product assortments; maintain category-specific print, design and product libraries.
• Conduct global market research to identify emerging trends, materials and techniques to inform product innovation and category differentiation.
• Serve as the in-house category expert on trends and competitive landscape; lead seasonal trend presentations and contribute to seasonal themes, line edits and new product concepts.
• Manage the licensed product design workflow including market research, mood-board creation, product reviews, and ongoing communication with licensees.
• Act as primary liaison to licensee design teams, providing seasonal brand direction, day-to-day design guidance and ensuring alignment with brand standards.
• Coordinate with internal design teams (handbags, footwear, RTW) to align seasonal concepts and prototypes across categories.
• Maintain and adhere to design and development calendars with internal and external partners; prepare for and follow up on all design meetings.
• Provide timely feedback and approvals on licensee-submitted designs and product samples to ensure on-time development.
• Ensure licensed products meet brand standards for quality, design integrity and correct product identification (hardware, labels, logos, trims).
• Partner with the Global Licensing team on seasonal development calendars, line extensions, process improvements and potential new business opportunities.
• Lead seasonal hindsight reviews with stakeholders to capture learnings and inform future product strategy.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of design experience within aspirational luxury or luxury goods.
• Demonstrated expertise in accessories categories, including hardware, color, print and graphic design.
• Strong construction knowledge across multiple accessory categories.
• Licensing experience preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational and multitasking skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art or a related field.

Skills

Experience

6–8 years of progressive product design experience in aspirational luxury or luxury goods, with demonstrated work across multiple accessory categories; licensing experience is preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Design, Art, or a related field.

Culture

Michael Kors cultivates a creative, fast-paced workplace with an emphasis on design excellence and commercial sensibility. The organization values collaboration across global design and licensing teams and promotes inclusivity and diversity in recruitment and day-to-day operations.