Freelance Leathergoods Designer

As part of our Studio’s Design division, Polène is looking for Freelance Leathergoods Designers to join our team for a project-based collaboration. You will work alongside a team of around twelve designers responsible for the creation and development of Polène’s leather goods and jewelry collections.

You will thrive in this freelance role if you want to

• Conduct creative and iconographic research from creative briefs and build moodboards to inspire new designs and enrich existing lines.
• Translate creative concepts into sketches, technical drawings, digital simulations and handcrafted mock-ups, exploring shapes, proportions and details.
• Create physical mock-ups and prototypes at different stages of development to test and refine volumes, constructions and detailing.
• Develop technical specification and correction sheets for our manufacturing partners and support the various iterations of prototypes.
• Follow the technical development of projects in close collaboration with the Collection and Sourcing teams and our workshops in France and Spain.
• Participate in Design reviews and creative discussions, bringing your expertise in design, materials and leather goods construction to the table.
• Stay up to date on trends, materials, craftsmanship and innovations to continuously enrich the creative process and contribute to the evolution of Polène’s collections.

You will excel in this role if

• You are looking for a freelance opportunity with a growing leather goods and jewelry Maison, and are comfortable working independently within a collaborative creative environment.
• You have at least 5 years of experience in handbag design, with strong expertise in leather goods construction techniques, leather materials and metal components.
• You are proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and skilled in hand drawing.
• You are experienced in hands-on prototyping and mock-up making, particularly using salpa and/or microfiber.
• You are creative, autonomous, detail-oriented and well-organized, with a strong ability to prioritize and manage your work independently.
• You have a strong creative sensibility aligned with Polène’s aesthetic, and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship, materials and technical details.
• You enjoy working collaboratively, have excellent interpersonal skills and are motivated to contribute to a dynamic, collective design process.

Within the Studio, you will collaborate closely with the Design, Collection and Sourcing teams, as well as our workshops and manufacturing partners in France and Spain.

As a freelance designer, you will bring your own creative expertise and technical perspective to the development of Polène’s collections, working autonomously while integrating into the Studio’s collaborative creative process. The scope and duration of the collaboration will be defined according to the Maison’s upcoming projects and development needs.

The Recruitment Process

1. Meeting with Talent Acquisition: discover the Maison, our values, and share your background and ambitions.
2. Interview with our Head of Design : dive into the role, its responsibilities and the challenges facing the Collection team.
3. Case study: work through a practical case and share your thinking and approach to product management.
4. Final interview with the Collection & Design Leadership Team: take a step back and explore the Maison's product vision and your development opportunities at Polène.

By working with Polène, you will have the opportunity to

• Join a Maison with a unique business project and an ambitious development plan covering its entire value chain.
• Witness an ever-evolving environment where innovation and the pursuit of excellence are key drivers.
• Thrive in an environment where people are at the heart of the project, and where the attention given to employees is a true differentiating factor.

What you may not know yet about Polène

Born in Paris in 2016, crafted in Ubrique and open to the world, Polène is much more than a leather goods Maison: it is a culture, a way of being and a way of creating. Each of our creations reflects the meeting point between technical precision and the poetry of form.

Today, Polène brings together 1,500 employees, including 900 exceptional artisans based in Ubrique, Spain, and operates across 3 continents, with an expansion plan targeting 7 new openings per year.

Polène is committed to an inclusive, ethical and equitable culture throughout its recruitment processes. We welcome you as you are, with your talents, your energy and your desire to contribute.