GUCCI Sneakers & Sport Shoes Designer

Key Accountabilities

• Translate seasonal briefs and creative direction into original sneaker and sport shoes concepts for Men’s and Women’s Fashion and Core collections.

• Conduct creative research into contemporary culture, sport, performance, streetwear, vintage references, materials, technologies and emerging footwear trends.

• Develop sketches, color proposals, technical drawings and detailed design specifications, defining proportions, constructions, uppers, soles, components, graphics and finishes.

• Create and develop new sneaker concepts and product families while evolving Gucci icons and recurring styles with a fresh and relevant perspective.

• Work closely with the wider design team to ensure alignment with the overall collection vision and a consistent product language.

• Partner with Product Development, Merchandising to translate creative concepts into high-quality, technically feasible products.

• Participate in fittings and prototype reviews, providing clear feedback and refining volumes, fit, comfort, construction, materials, colorways and product details.

• Explore innovative materials, sustainable solutions, sole technologies and production techniques that can enrich the collection and enhance product performance.

• Prepare and maintain accurate design files, technical information, color references and collection boards throughout the development process.

• Present concepts and design proposals clearly during creative reviews, collection meetings and cross-functional alignments.

• Manage multiple projects and development timelines simultaneously, incorporating feedback while safeguarding the original creative intent and expected quality level.

Requirements

• 5-7 years of experience in a comparable sneaker or sport shoes design role within luxury fashion, premium footwear or a highly design-led brand.

• Strong portfolio demonstrating originality, refined aesthetic sensitivity and proven experience in designing sneakers and sport-inspired footwear from concept through development.

• Excellent drawing and visualization skills, including hand sketching and digital design, with advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Illustrator and Photoshop.

• Solid technical understanding of footwear construction, lasts, soles, uppers, materials, components, fit and industrial development processes.

• Strong awareness of sneaker culture, sport, fashion, art, music and contemporary lifestyle, combined with the ability to transform cultural insights into relevant luxury products.

• Ability to balance creative experimentation, brand identity, commercial relevance, comfort and technical feasibility.

• Experience working closely with development teams, suppliers and manufacturers, with confidence in reviewing prototypes and communicating precise design feedback.

• Curious, proactive and collaborative approach, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and evolving priorities.

• Fluency in English; knowledge of Italian is a strong advantage.

Key challenges

• Creating distinctive and desirable sneaker concepts in a highly competitive and fast-evolving product category while preserving Gucci’s unique creative identity.

• Balancing fashion impact, innovation, comfort, functionality, commercial relevance and industrial feasibility across Fashion and Core collection needs.

• Managing complex development processes, multiple stakeholders, prototype revisions and demanding collection timelines without compromising design quality and accuracy.

Salary Package

• Gross Annual Salary: 40.000 € (unless otherwise agreed, in the event of a positive outcome of the selection process, should specific levels of experience and autonomy and/or particular competencies emerge during the selection process, based on objective criteria).
• NCBA (National Collective Bargaining Agreement): National Contract per gli Addetti alle Industrie Manifatturiere delle Pelli e Succedanei e Ombrelli e Ombrelloni (unique alphanumeric code: D111)
• White-collar
• Bonuses and Commissions: Annual Target Bonus as per the company-level collective agreement in force, up to 20% of the Gross Annual Salary.
• Other Benefits:
• Company canteen
• Supplementary health insurance yes
• Company welfare program

Gucci is committed to building a diverse workforce. We believe diversity in all its forms – gender, age, nationality, culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation – enriches the workplace. It opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to adapt to a changing world. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background.