Rebecca MacGregor

A Bit About Me

My career started in New York City at Parsons School of Design, where I studied an integrated design curriculum with a focus on fashion design. This theoretical framework allowed me to explore the broader design industry rather than immediately specializing. I delved into diverse subjects, from ancient philosophy to design theory and cognitive psychology to 19th-century dress and society, fueling my fascination with the human experience and how we use our bodies as canvases to embrace or challenge societal expectations. In addition to my foundational studies, I pursued continuing education at the Fashion Institute of Technology to gain essential technical skills, ensuring I remain relevant and thrive in the fashion industry. This ongoing desire for growth has deepened my creative intent, merging commercial design with fine art.

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With 15 years of experience, I have cultivated a robust technical knowledge and skill set that enable me to successfully engineer collections from concept to production. While my main focus is on women's handbags, I have also designed women's activewear, technical accessories, travel items, small leather goods, stationery, home goods, textile design, graphics and packaging.

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In my role as a product designer, I am involved in the entire product development lifecycle, starting from the initial concept all the way through to production. My work begins with brainstorming and ideation, where I collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify market needs and design innovative solutions. Once we have a solid concept, I focus on assembling detailed specification documents that serve as the blueprint for factory prototypes. These documents include comprehensive information on materials, dimensions, functionalities, and quality standards that the prototypes must adhere to.

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Throughout the development process, I maintain daily communication with overseas factories to ensure they have a clear understanding of the specifications and expectations. This involves not only sharing the design documents but also addressing any questions or concerns they may have about the manufacturing process.​ This iterative feedback loop is essential for refining the product before it goes into full-scale production.

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In essence, my role is a blend of creativity and technical acumen, requiring strong project management skills and the ability to navigate cultural and logistical challenges inherent in working with overseas partners.

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I have progressed through the industry from design intern to creative director. This extensive experience equips me with the tools to create innovative, market-ready products, which align with brand vision and meet customer needs.

Work Experience

December 2020 - Present

December 2019 - March 2020

July 2018 - December 2019

Dolls Kill Senior Handbag Designer, London, UK

- Designs both novelty and fashion-driven handbags for in-house brands and licensed collaborations
- Responsible for entire product design process from market research, concept design, product design, and technical specing to development and production
- Daily follow up with overseas factories for a smooth development process on multiple design projects simultaneously while ensuring deadlines are met with efficiency