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Fashion Accessory Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Our Designer's main responsibility is to conceptualize, design, and develop a range of fashion accessories including (but not limited to) jewelry, hair accessories and small soft goods. The ideal ...

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Fashion Accessory Designer information

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$33K

$69.5K

$105K

How much do fashion accessory designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for fashion accessory designer in the United States is $69,494.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $89,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Fashion Accessory Designer vs Jewelry Designer?

AspectFashion Accessory DesignerJewelry Designer
Required CredentialsFashion design degree or related certificationJewelry design certification or gemology courses
Work EnvironmentFashion studios, design houses, manufacturingJewelry workshops, studios, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageFashion brands, accessory lines, seasonal collectionsJewelry brands, boutiques, custom design shops
Common Search IntentDesigning accessories like handbags, hats, beltsCreating rings, necklaces, earrings

While both roles involve designing fashion items, a Fashion Accessory Designer focuses on a wide range of accessories such as handbags, hats, and belts, often working within fashion brands. A Jewelry Designer specializes in creating jewelry pieces like rings and necklaces, typically requiring specific jewelry design skills and certifications. Both roles require creativity and industry knowledge but differ in materials, tools, and target products.

How does a fashion accessory designer typically collaborate with other departments during the design process?

Fashion Accessory Designers often work closely with teams such as merchandising, product development, and marketing to ensure that their creations align with brand vision and market trends. Collaboration with materials suppliers and manufacturers is also essential to source the right fabrics and hardware for prototypes and production. Regular meetings and feedback sessions help refine designs, address technical challenges, and ensure products are both aesthetically appealing and commercially viable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fashion accessory designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fashion Accessory Designer, you need strong creative abilities, a solid understanding of design principles, and often a degree in fashion design or a related field. Familiarity with design software like Adobe Illustrator, CAD programs, and knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes are typically required. Excellent communication, trend awareness, and adaptability are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure innovative, market-relevant accessory designs that appeal to consumers and meet production standards.

What does a fashion accessory designer do?

A Fashion Accessory Designer creates and develops items such as handbags, belts, hats, jewelry, scarves, and other complementary fashion pieces. They research current trends, select materials, sketch designs, and collaborate with manufacturers to turn concepts into finished products. Their work often involves balancing creativity with practicality, as well as considering market demand and production costs. Fashion Accessory Designers play a key role in defining a brand’s style and ensuring accessories align with seasonal collections.
More about Fashion Accessory Designer jobs

What cities are hiring for Fashion Accessory Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Fashion Accessory Designer job openings:

What states have the most Fashion Accessory Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Fashion Accessory Designer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Fashion Accessory Designer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Fashion Accessory Designer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Fashion Accessory Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,494 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Designer / Product Development Fashion Access

Gina Group LLC

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Designer / Product Development Fashion AccessoriesPosition Summary

The Designer / Product Development role is responsible for supporting the development of seasonal fashion accessory collections from concept through production. This position partners closely with the Design Director and cross-functional teams to create innovative, commercially viable products while ensuring all development milestones and deadlines are met. Responsibilities include researching and identifying seasonal trends, developing new product concepts, improving existing designs, creating presentation boards, preparing sales materials, developing patterns and colorways, and merchandising product assortments across multiple brands. Experience in fashion accessories and headwear categories—including cold weather knits, scarves, hats, gloves, ruanas, and spring/summer straw headwear—is preferred.

This role manages the product development process by communicating daily with overseas factories, preparing detailed tech packs, sending sourcing and development communications, tracking sample progress, maintaining accurate PLM records, and ensuring development calendars remain on schedule. The Designer / Product Development professional reviews pre-production samples for quality and accuracy, communicates approvals and revisions to factories, prepares samples and standards for milestone meetings, submits seasonal licensing approvals, and collaborates closely with Design, Production, Sales, and Licensing teams to ensure successful execution from concept through production.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field and 3–5 years of experience in fashion accessory design and/or product development. Candidates should possess strong creative and technical skills, an excellent eye for color, pattern, trend, and detail, and be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop; experience with a PLM system is a plus. Success in this role requires exceptional organization, time management, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accurate documentation, meeting deadlines, communicating proactively, and ensuring all development materials, factory communications, and product information are complete and accurate.

Responsibilities
  • Develop seasonal fashion accessories and headwear collections from concept through production.
  • Research and identify seasonal fashion trends, colors, materials, patterns, and silhouettes.
  • Create new product designs and improve existing market products.
  • Partner with the Design Director to merchandise products by brand.
  • Design prints, patterns, and recolor artwork as needed.
  • Prepare presentation boards and sales sheets featuring new product concepts and imagery.
  • Communicate daily with overseas factories regarding product development, sample status, and estimated completion dates.
  • Send sourcing and development emails to overseas partners.
  • Prepare detailed tech packs for assigned accounts.
  • Review pre-production (PPS) samples to ensure design direction and construction requirements have been met; communicate approvals and revisions to factories.
  • Maintain accurate style information and development updates within the PLM system.
  • Finalize adopted styles in PLM for Production.
  • Submit seasonal approval packages to licensors.
  • Partner closely with Design, Production, Sales, and Licensing teams throughout the development process.
  • Track sample progress and proactively follow up on outstanding items to ensure development milestones are achieved.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design or a related field preferred.
  • 3–5 years of experience in fashion accessory design and/or product development.
  • Experience designing fashion accessories and headwear, including cold weather knits, scarves, hats, gloves, ruanas, and straw headwear.
  • Strong creative, technical, and organizational skills.
  • Excellent eye for color, pattern, trend, and commercial design.
  • Expert level of proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
  • Experience working with a PLM system is a plus.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve product development and sample issues.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong time management and project management abilities.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Positive, collaborative team player with strong attention to detail.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Meet all product development deadlines and proactively communicate any potential delays.
  • Ensure assigned product development projects are completed accurately from concept through production.
  • Maintain timely and professional communication with internal teams, overseas factories, and licensors.
  • Ensure tech packs, development emails, and factory communications are complete and accurate before release.
  • Keep PLM records, style information, and development status updated throughout the development process.
  • Track sample progress and follow up with factories to maintain development timelines and ETAs.
  • Review pre-production samples thoroughly and communicate clear, detailed comments or approvals.
  • Maintain organized digital files, server folders, and product development documentation.
  • Take accurate meeting notes and clarify assignments whenever necessary.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in PLM, including creating style numbers, updating development information, and preparing required documentation.
  • Consistently contribute innovative product ideas while maintaining brand integrity and commercial viability.