Catalina is a senior leather goods and accessories designer with over 12 years of experience across fashion, luxury accessories, product development and craft.

She started her career in womenswear design, before specialising in accessories through her MA at London College of Fashion, UAL. Over the years she has worked across both fashion and luxury leather goods, and spent four years at The Restory working in luxury leather goods restoration, aftercare and innovation. That experience gave her a particularly hands-on understanding of how materials, construction and craftsmanship affect the way a product ages, and how these things can be considered from the beginning of the design and development process.

Much of her work has naturally sat between Creative Directors and factories. She enjoys taking an idea from its initial concept through to a resolved product, while working closely with manufacturers to understand their capabilities, find practical solutions and make sure the final result stays true to the original intention. Her experience covers research and design, colour and material development, technical specifications, prototyping, supplier communication and production follow-up.

She has designed and developed handbags, small leather goods and broader accessories collections, with particular expertise in leather, craftsmanship and product construction. She has worked directly with manufacturers and suppliers across Europe, Asia and Latin America, including regular factory visits in France and Spain and sourcing trips across Italy.

Alongside her work in fashion and leather goods, she recently founded The Knot, an independent contemporary jewellery studio where she leads the creative direction, design, sourcing, prototyping, pricing and small-batch production of semi-precious stone jewellery.

Au Départ Paris – Led the design relaunch of the Parisian maison, defining new brand codes aligned with its heritage and high-end positioning. Designed and developed full bags and SLG collections from concept through final prototype, created detailed tech packs, developed bespoke hardware and worked directly with suppliers and manufacturers across France, Spain and Italy.

The Restory – Led innovation and sustainable product development for luxury bags and shoes, combining redesign, material research and technical problem-solving with hands-on knowledge of restoration, leather and construction. Managed and trained a team of 14+ artisans and worked with industry partners including Manolo Blahnik, Farfetch, Selfridges, Harrods and RCA.

Jazmin Chebar – Designed and developed womenswear and leather goods from concept to final sample, including trend research, CAD, tech packs, supplier liaison and development through final sample approval. Experience across tailoring, knitwear, tops, dresses, belts, bags and embellishment/surface design.

Calandra – Created CAD drawings and technical specification files across the womenswear collections, while also designing and developing prints, textiles and surface processes.

Mariela Calvé – Supported the brand's founder by creating all technical files for existing and new products. Sourced leather, hardware and other materials. Communicated with suppliers to follow up on sampling and production. Designed and developed pieces for the jewellery line as well as handbags.

The Knot – Founded an independent contemporary adornment studio focused on semi-precious stone jewellery and material-led design.

• Au Départ Paris
  
• The Restory
  
• Jazmin Chebar
  
• Calandra
  
• Mariela Calvé
  
• The Knot