Senior Handbag Designer8+ Years InternationalAccademia di Costume e ModaItalian NativeLong Island CityAvailable for Freelance Senior Handbag Designer8+ Years InternationalAccademia di Costume e ModaItalian NativeLong Island CityAvailable for Freelance

Francesco
Pimpinicchio.

Visionary Senior Designer with over 8 years of international expertise, ranging from high-volume corporate collection management in Italy to technical capsule development for major New York houses.

Specializing in the intersection of structural handbag architecture and bespoke hardware engineering — leading product lifecycles from 1:1 technical ideation to final global production. A heritage-trained eye for luxury leather fused with modern mastery of rapid prototyping and tech-integrated accessories.

Originally from Foligno, raised in Spoleto, Italy. Based in Long Island City, New York.

"I design for the people who were told their style was too much."
8+
Years International Experience
3
Continents of Production
Rome → NYC
Design Education
Available
For Freelance Projects
Education
Accademia di Costume e Moda
BA in Costume & Fashion — Rome, Italy
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Styling Certificate — In Progress, New York
Studio Services
01 / Engineering

Concept to Structure

Creative direction and industrial design translation — transforming vision into precise, manufacturable reality.

  • Creative direction
  • Technical sketching
  • CAD rendering (Clo3D)
  • Hardware design
  • Comprehensive tech packs
02 / Prototyping

Material & Form

Physical sampling and global material sourcing — where architecture becomes tangible.

  • Pattern making
  • Luxury leather sourcing
  • Sustainable alternatives
  • Physical sampling
  • Structural testing
03 / Production

Scale & Delivery

End-to-end manufacturing management across Italy and global partners.

  • Small batch manufacturing
  • High-volume production
  • Italian factory management
  • Global sourcing network
  • Strict quality control
Work Experience
04/2026 – Present
Designer, Fashion Accessories
Steve Madden — New York, NY
Conceptualizing, designing, and developing trend-forward fashion accessories for the Wholesale Accessories division. Research seasonal trends, materials, colors, and consumer behavior to inform design direction. Create technical drawings and digital renderings across cold weather accessories, belts, scarves, hats, and hair accessories. Collaborate with product development and sourcing teams on prototypes and production feasibility. Participate in fittings and provide quality feedback across active collections.
01/2026
Freelance Handbag Designer
Betsey Johnson — New York, NY
Conceptualized capsule translating heritage sketches into 3D structural elements, including bespoke "eye-lock" hardware with rhinestone/magnet integration and lightning bolt metal handles. Delivered full 1:1 technical specification packs for multi-category line-up. 8 pieces selected for production.
02/2022 – Present
Founder & Creative Director
PMPNY Design Studio — New York, NY
Architected the creative and technical identity of the studio's flagship brand Pimpinicchio New York. Lead all phases of product development overseas. Presented SS25/SS26 collection at NYFW (Runway 7). Secured retail partnerships with Flying Solo NYC, Wolf & Badger, and Wanderobe.
07/2017 – 07/2019
Accessories Designer
LA.I.PE SPA, Cromia — Tolentino, Italy
Designed and engineered 17–25 seasonal handbag collections annually. Led concept development and prototype refinement. Managed communication with 4+ overseas suppliers.
09/2020 – 10/2023
Designer's Assistant
Sunday Morning LLC — New York, NY
Coordinated international production timelines to ensure prototypes aligned with high-level design direction.
Core Competencies
Handbag Architecture
Hardware Engineering
Tech Pack Development
3D Prototyping (Clo3D)
Italian Leather Sourcing
Creative Direction
Global Production
Pattern Making
Capsule Development
CAD Rendering