Kathleen L. Bily
New York,USA
Summary
Experienced Fashion Hardware Designer with a strong background in luxury accessories, handbags, and footwear. Demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, and managing custom hardware components-including buckles, clasps, zippers, and embellishments-for leading fashion brands. Highly proficient in technical design, CAD, and Adobe Creative Suite, with a deep understanding of material properties, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance. Adept at collaborating with creative, product development, and production teams to translate artistic vision into functional, manufacturable products. Proven ability to manage the end-to-end hardware design process, from trend research and concept development to prototyping, vendor management, and final production.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Freelance Hardware Designer
Contractor
11.2021 - Current
- Collaborate with emerging and established fashion brands to design and develop hardware for handbags, leather goods, and jewelry.
- Deliver creative concepts, material research, technical drawings, and prototype development to achieve cohesive and brand-aligned designs with client specifications.
- Partner with manufacturers in Italy, India, and Asia to ensure high-quality execution and innovation in metal finishes, closures, and decorative elements.
- Utilized industry-standard software, including Adobe Creative Suite, to create high-quality visual assets.
- Presented design proposals to clients, articulating creative vision and addressing feedback effectively.
Senior Hardware Designer
Kate Spade New York
08.2019 - 05.2023
- Head of hardware design and development for Outlet Handbags and Accessories, Mainline Shoes, Runway Shoes, and Outerwear.
- Designed innovative product concepts aligning with brand vision and market trends.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience and functionality.
- Developed detailed design specifications for various product categories, ensuring consistency across collections.
- Led brainstorming sessions, fostering creative solutions to complex design challenges.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance on best practices and design principles.
- Conducted market research to identify emerging trends and consumer preferences, informing design strategies.
- Optimized workflow processes, reducing turnaround times for design projects significantly.
Hardware Designer
Tory Burch
06.2017 - 02.2019
- Head of design and development for all accessories; including but not limited to handbags, SLG’s, shoes, belts, and tech accessories.
- Design and present extensive material research, sketches, technical sketches, prototypes, and final market samples to Tory Burch and design teams for Main Line and Runway collections.
- Facilitate and manage all product development with local and overseas vendors to ensure high quality designs and standards are executed.
- Work closely in cross-category with other design teams, merchandising, sales, and production teams for design, cost, and brand alignment.
- Led design projects from concept to execution, aligning with brand vision and market trends.
- Mentored junior designers, providing guidance on design principles and best practices.
Senior Designer
Maurice Max, Inc DBA Lee Angel / Private Label Design
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Act as main account holder for brands listed to design and execute 6 cohesive collections for each market season.
- Work closely with all Head Designers of brands to bring to life on-brand and trending concepts by presenting extensive material research, sketching, technical sketching and specs.
- Adoption rate is 80-90% of developed product due to extensive experience in luxury good design and product development.
- Roxanne Assoulin, Banana Republic, Anne Taylor, Nordstrom brands
Senior Designer
Lulu Frost
07.2014 - 08.2016
- Design 4 cohesive collections for each market season for Lulu Frost Main Line.
- Design 4 exclusive collections for each market season for Lulu Frost Main Line and Collaborations.
- Manage entire design department and design team members at Associate and Assistant levels.
- Perform all aspects of design process from initial concept, to material research, sketching, technical sketching and specs, vendor relationships and communication, prototype corrections, market presentations with accounts, and collaboration with merchandising, PD, sales and production teams.
- Design and develop custom fine jewelry for clients locally in NYC in Diamond District.
- Lulu Frost Main Line and Collaborations
Jewelry Designer
The Jones Group / Private Label Design
09.2013 - 07.2014
- Design 4 cohesive collections for each market season.
- Collaborate with Givenchy-Paris Design Team consistently each season to execute elevated product.
- Travel to Paris to review prototypes and new market sketches multiple times per year.
- Perform all aspects of design process from initial concept, to material research, sketching, technical sketching and specs, vendor relationships and communication, prototype corrections, market presentations with accounts, and collaboration with merchandising, PD, sales and production teams.
- Givenchy
Associate Jewelry Designer
Marc Jacobs
03.2012 - 06.2013
- Assist Head Jewelry Designer to produce collections each season through concept research, sketching, technical sketching, sketch rendering, prototype corrections and in-office jewelry construction. Responsible for designs of specific fashion groups independently.
- Collaborate with creative directors and design teams to create exclusive Show pieces for Resort Lookbook, Spring and Fall Runway Collections.
- Coordinate with product development and merchandising teams regularly for strong knowledge of factory capabilities and market demand.
- Marc by Marc Jacobs
Assistant Shoe Designer
Marc Jacobs
01.2010 - 03.2012
- Assist Shoe Team with design, meetings with Marc Jacobs, prototypes, sketching, CAD, research, organization, shoe archiving, and managing accounts.
- Travel to Italy during each design season and prior to NYFW. Develop and edit prototypes, oversee production, and hand-carry show shoes into the U.S.
- Design Marc by Marc Jacobs Commercial Shoes each season, including pump, boot, sandal, ballerina flat, sneaker and rain boot constructions.
- Assist Marc Jacobs and designers during Fashion Week preparation and fittings. Work backstage in New York Fashion Week shows.
- Meet with marketing, licensing, merchandising and design departments of both lines for developing season trends and shoe groups.
- Marc Jacobs Collection and Marc by Marc Jacobs
Education
Bachelor of Science - Jewelry Design
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY01.2015
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Design
University of Texas
Austin, TX12.2009
Bachelor of Journalism - Magazine Print
University of Texas
Austin, TX05.2008
Skills
- Hardware design
- Technical Design
- Luxury Fashion
- Product Development
- CAD drafting
- Adobe creative suite
- Illustration
- Design research
- Project management
- Presentation design
Timeline
Freelance Hardware Designer
Contractor
11.2021 - Current
Senior Hardware Designer
Kate Spade New York
08.2019 - 05.2023
Hardware Designer
Tory Burch
06.2017 - 02.2019
Senior Designer
Maurice Max, Inc DBA Lee Angel / Private Label Design
08.2016 - 05.2017
Senior Designer
Lulu Frost
07.2014 - 08.2016
Jewelry Designer
The Jones Group / Private Label Design
09.2013 - 07.2014
Associate Jewelry Designer
Marc Jacobs
03.2012 - 06.2013
Assistant Shoe Designer
Marc Jacobs
01.2010 - 03.2012
Bachelor of Journalism - Magazine Print
University of Texas
Bachelor of Science - Jewelry Design
Fashion Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Apparel Design
University of Texas