Available to hire
I’m Leanna Brouse, a senior designer specializing in women’s handbags, small leather goods, and fashion accessories for well-known brands. I’ve led creative teams, forecast trends, and guided products from concept through overseas production, always delivering on brand voice and budget.
I thrive on turning trend intel into commercially successful lines. I love collaborating with cross-functional partners, developing seasonal calendars, and mentoring designers and freelancers to build strong, cohesive brand stories across multiple categories.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Senior Designer at Camuto Group
November 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025Designed and developed Women’s Handbags and SLGs for Lucky Brand and Vince Camuto. Analyzed fashion trends and sales data to continuously create new product ideas. Led a team of 3-5 designers and freelancers. Collaborated closely with PD & costing teams for approvals and milestones. Sourced new materials for price, quality, and aesthetics. Created sketches and CAD drawings and prepared full technical packs in Adobe Illustrator. Coordinated product development with overseas factories and managed seasonal development calendars. Managed SMS orders and showroom merchandise. Partnered with Sales during market appointments and buyer meetings to present seasonal concepts and strategize. Successfully doubled Lucky Brand unit placements by refreshing product strategy and introducing new leather and non-leather lines.
Senior Designer at Centric Brands
May 1, 2010 - September 30, 2022Designed and developed handbags, SLGs, belts, leather gloves, hats, and cold weather accessories for licensed and in-house brands such as Tignanello, Cole Haan, and Kate Spade. Conducted color and trend research, sourced materials, and created sketches and CAD specs. Coordinated overseas product development and costing, managing costing charts. Collaborated with sales teams during market appointments and buyer meetings. Managed approvals for lab dips, TOP, and bulk shade. Experienced in QVC on-air presentations and social media management for Tignanello Handbags. Acted as a PLM super user and led Microsoft Teams implementation during early Covid. Progressed through roles from Design Assistant to Senior Designer over 12 years.
Global Sourcing & Product Development Coordinator at David Yurman
July 1, 2009 - May 31, 2010Managed daily product development duties working with overseas factories to execute design. Reviewed preliminary pricing and performed cost comparisons and negotiations. Presented updates on new styles to executives and design teams. Coordinated 'second sourcing' to obtain best pricing from new vendors. Managed new vendor coordination and planned agendas for bi-annual executive meetings with overseas factories. Provided general assistant support to the department and VP.
Design & Product Development Assistant at Judith Ripka Companies
October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2009Assisted with designing and developing price point styles. Handled daily product development tasks with overseas factories. Reviewed preliminary pricing of new products. Planned agendas for executive meetings with overseas factories. Supported special events and PR team. Provided general assistant duties to department, VP and EVP.
Senior Designer at CAMUTO GROUP – Handbags Department
November 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025Designed and developed women's handbags and small leather goods (SLGs) for Lucky Brand and Vince Camuto. Analyzed fashion trends and sales reports to maintain a steady flow of new ideas. Integrated research with personal tastes to create customer-relevant products. Managed and led 3-5 designers and freelancers. Coordinated with product development and costing teams for approvals and milestones. Sourced materials based on price, quality, and aesthetics. Created sketches and CAD designs, specifying full tech packs in Adobe Illustrator. Managed product development with overseas factories and seasonal calendars. Ordered and managed showroom merchandise and samples. Partnered with sales teams during market appointments and buyer meetings. Achieved doubling of Lucky Brand unit placements by implementing a new product strategy targeting both leather and non-leather segments.
Senior Designer at CENTRIC BRANDS – Accessories Division
May 1, 2010 - September 30, 2022Designed and developed women's handbags, SLGs, belts, leather gloves, hats, and cold weather accessories across multiple licensed and in-house brands. Conducted color and trend research, materials sourcing, sketching, CAD drawing, and technical specifications. Coordinated product development with overseas factories, including initial costing and managing costing charts. Partnered with sales during market appointments and buyer meetings. Managed labdip approvals and bulk shade approvals. Supported QVC on-air presentations and social media management for Tignanello Handbags. Participated as a super user in PLM launch and led Microsoft Teams implementation during COVID-19.
Global Sourcing & Product Development Coordinator at David Yurman
July 1, 2009 - May 1, 2010Handled daily product development tasks with overseas factories and reviewed preliminary pricing. Conducted target and cost comparisons with negotiation. Presented status updates for new styles at executive meetings. Coordinated 'second sourcing' activities for molds, models, and CADs to optimize pricing. Managed new vendor coordination and planned agendas for bi-annual executive meetings. Provided general assistant support to the department and Vice President.
Design & Product Development Assistant at Judith Ripka Companies
October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2009Designed and developed price point styles. Executed daily product development tasks coordinating with overseas factories. Reviewed preliminary pricing and planned executive meeting agendas. Supported special events and PR teams as needed. Provided general assistant support to department, VP, and EVP.
Senior Designer at Camuto Group – Handbags Division
March 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025Led concept development, trend forecasting, and product lifecycle for women's handbags and small leather goods; managed development timelines, overseas production coordination, and budget adherence; collaborated with license partners to ensure brand cohesion.
Associate Designer at Camuto Group – Handbags Division
November 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023Supported Senior Designer with design execution, vendor coordination, and market presentations; contributed to season direction and attended market appointments.
Designer at Centric Brands – Accessories Division
April 1, 2016 - September 30, 2022Executed product design for multiple seasonal lines; contributed to CAD development, material sourcing, and vendor management.
Associate Designer at Centric Brands – Accessories Division
April 1, 2014 - April 1, 2016Supported design team through concept development and sample creation.
Assistant Designer at Centric Brands – Accessories Division
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2012Assisted design team with line development and production tasks.
Design Assistant at Centric Brands – Accessories Division
May 1, 2010 - April 1, 2011Provided design support across collections.
Designer & Product Development at Judith Ripka Companies
October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2009Designed and developed price-point styles; daily product development tasks for events/PR; supported departments across the organization.
Education
Bachelor of Science at SUNY College at Oneonta
January 1, 2003 - May 31, 2007Bachelor of Science at SUNY College at Oneonta
January 1, 2003 - May 1, 2007Bachelor of Science in Communications Studies and English at SUNY College at Oneonta
January 11, 2030 - December 12, 2025Continuing Education: Adobe Illustrator for Graphic Design at Fashion Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 12, 2025Continuing Education: Rhino 3D at Fashion Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - December 12, 2025Qualifications
Illustrator for Graphic Design Continuing Education Course
June 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016RHINO 3D Continuing Education Course
January 1, 2010 - May 31, 2010Illustrator for Graphic Design (Continuing Education course)
June 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016RHINO 3D (Continuing Education course)
January 1, 2010 - May 31, 2010Industry Experience
Consumer Goods, Retail, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment
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