Freelance Handbag Sample Maker – Physical Prototype

Location: Pune / Mumbai preferred; open to experienced professionals across India

Type: Freelance / Project-based

Brand: SORvÈNE – Premium Contemporary Handbags

About SORvÈNE

SORvÈNE is a premium contemporary handbag brand focused on refined, minimal and functional handbag designs for the modern woman.

We are currently developing our first collection and are looking for an experienced Handbag Sample Maker / Product Developer who can translate our existing handbag designs into high-quality physical production samples.

The Role

This is a hands-on physical product development and sampling role.

We already have the design concepts, sketches and visual references. We are looking for someone who can take these designs and physically develop and construct the handbag, refine the construction where required, make sample iterations and ultimately create a production-ready reference sample that can be handed over to a manufacturing partner for bulk production.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand handbag designs from sketches, drawings, measurements and visual references
• Develop practical construction methods for the designs
• Create or develop accurate handbag patterns
• Physically construct the first handbag sample
• Work with PU / vegan leather, lining, reinforcement materials and related components
• Handle construction of panels, gussets, handles, straps, pockets, compartments, closures, etc.
• Fit and install zippers, hardware, buckles, magnetic closures, studs and other fittings
• Ensure the physical sample accurately reflects the intended design, proportions and functionality
• Identify construction issues and suggest practical improvements without compromising the design intent
• Make revisions and subsequent sample iterations based on feedback
• Develop the final approved sample to a standard suitable for production
• Provide final patterns / measurements and relevant construction specifications required for manufacturing
• Coordinate with the brand/design team during the sampling process

Important – What We Are Looking For

The primary requirement is the ability to physically make the handbag sample.

We are NOT looking for someone whose work is limited to:

• Fashion or handbag sketches
• CAD drawings
• Digital / 3D prototypes
• Tech packs only
• Design concepts without physical sampling
• Manufacturing coordination without hands-on sampling capability

You should have experience taking a handbag design/reference and turning it into a finished physical sample.

Ideal Candidate

• Experience in handbag / bag / leather goods product development
• Strong understanding of handbag construction and pattern making
• Hands-on experience creating physical handbag samples
• Good understanding of materials, reinforcements, lining and hardware
• Experience working with PU / vegan leather is preferred
• Strong attention to proportions, finishing and construction quality
• Able to interpret a design accurately rather than substantially redesigning it
• Comfortable making multiple iterations until the desired result is achieved
• Experience working with emerging or premium handbag/accessory brands is a plus

Expected Deliverable

The key deliverable is:

A fully finished physical handbag sample that can subsequently be provided to a manufacturing partner as the approved reference sample for production.

The process may involve:

Design reference → Pattern / construction development → First physical sample → Corrections → Revised sample → Final production-ready sample

Application Requirements

Please apply only if you have hands-on physical handbag sampling experience.

Please share:

• 3–5 examples of physical handbags/bags you have personally developed or sampled
• Photos/videos of the finished physical samples
• Briefly explain your role in making each sample
• Whether you personally create the patterns
• Whether you personally construct the sample or work with a sample maker/team
• Your experience with PU / vegan leather
• Your approximate charge per prototype/sample
• Your location
• Your availability for freelance/project-based work

Applications containing only sketches, CAD work or tech packs without examples of physical samples will not be considered.

How to Apply

Please send your portfolio/examples of physical samples, relevant experience, location and approximate charges to:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Please use the subject line:

Application – Handbag Sample Maker / Product Developer

Project Scope

We are initially looking to develop prototypes for our first handbag collection, with the possibility of continuing with the right person for future designs and production development.

If you are confident in taking a handbag concept from a 2D design/reference to a well-constructed physical production sample, we would be interested in hearing from you.