Solve it for yourself first, impress yourself and chances are it’s going to resonate with other people as well. That is the true ethos of the company, demonstrated in every department from the buying team to the engineering team. Candidates require a specific skill set, retail … One of the questions we are presented with time after time is ‘How do I become a Fashion Buyer’. Buyer, Senior Buyer, Junior Buyer and more on Indeed.com fashion buyer to becoming a senior fashion buyer. Really it comes down to what you’re able to do and the breadth of your experience. For more information read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. The online evolution made retail more international and transparent. You can also become a retail buyer through a traineeship. When I had the opportunity to move into buying I jumped at the chance. Fashion buyers are the individuals responsible for purchasing clothing to be sold in their company’s stores. Typically, you need a bachelor's degree to become a buyer. If you have these qualities, it’s easy to teach you the rest. And of course, your sense of style and ability to spot trends is paramount.”. Fashion Buyer jobs now available. Fashion Buyer, Fashion lecturer and Business owner, Diane Curtis has a wealth of knowledge in buying departments for both small and large International fashion brands. Alternatively, you can become a retail buyer by completing a degree in business, marketing or a related field at university. Huge discounts available on courses right now. I'd worked for a few fashion brands as a Sales Assistant, but I was always more interested in trying to influence what was on-the-rack. It is a form of listening, an active and inactive process. Buyers should have good analytical, decision-making and negotiating abilities and basic math skills.. How do I start a career in fashion? HC: “When you come into an interview, it’s important that you are able to demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Dawn Mello was a very famous person in the continuum of fashion, so I cold-called her and lo and behold I ended up being hired! LF: “I don't care what business you’re in, collaboration is key. Break Into Fashion. I created a huge proposal saying that if I worked for you, this is what your windows would look like, this is what your shops would look like — sometimes you have to go out of the box for something that you would really want.”. Luxury is not only influenced by technology, financial markets, and pop culture but it is also affected by the unpredictable political environment, the mass market and a new generational mindset. What do I need to do to become a retail buyer? Comment By Megan Doyle June 19, 2017 14:04 Fast track your career with top tips from buyers at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Lane Crawford, Matchesfashion.com and Ssense. To become a buyer there are several requirements including knowledge retail math concepts, forecasting, consumer behavior, and gaining retail experience. How to Become a Buyer. They need to be seasons ahead when it comes to their choices, and do their best to ensure the brand is as relevant and on-trend as possible. Identify what motivates you and maintain a dialogue, Ruth Chapman, co-founder, Matchesfashion.com: “Buying is a balance between magic and logic. They [buyers] need to be good stylists, with their own point of view.”, Heidi Coppin, chief human resources officer, Matchesfashion.com: “We look for people who are hugely passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Typical tasks for a Fashion Buyer include: Taking on this role requires you to be constantly ahead of the game when it comes to the latest trends, something which can often be easier said than done. If you wish to work as a buyer in the fashion industry, you might pursue a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising, which is an option at several schools and can even be earned online. You should be a Fashion Buyer… Fashion Buyers select which products to sell in their stores, taking into consideration factors such as customer buying habits, price, quality and market trends. Usually, you start as an assistant buyer, go on to become a junior buyer and work your way up. Diane's passion for becoming a fashion buyer began in the womb. It can be scary moving from a summer fashion internship to putting real money on the table and working the 9-5 gig. Besides buying signature designs and commercial pieces from a collection, a candidate with a limited portfolio should take the risk of selecting some daring pieces to make a statement curation.”, 7. When it’s fashion show time, it can be hugely exciting and your days are super filled. It is an area of immense competition and quality candidates are highly sought. In order to increase your chances at a job, it is better to have a relevant degree that will give you an edge over other applicants. The skills, tricks and killer tips to get you noticed. reed.co.uk has over 5,000 courses you can enrol on today. Attending trade shows, negotiating with suppliers, keeping abreast of trends, selecting pieces to be sold in stores—it’s all part of this exciting career, but how does one become a professional fashion buyer? If you work in a creative field like fashion, these are skills that you need to learn. The road to becoming a Buyer definitely wasn't smooth and sometimes it helps to have a bit of inside knowledge to get you… A common mistake that I see is when candidates are not quite answering the questions posed, which could indicate poor listening skills. There’s an element of ‘What have you done?’ — but more of ‘What drives you?’ and ‘What motivates you?’ We look for good communication, collaboration and teamwork attributes, which will make you a success. It’s possible to enter without a degree and spend more time learning, doing training and gaining qualifications. It is a fast-paced job that requires knowledge of the … We are always looking for the balance of left and right brain. Still searching for that perfect fit? You learn with anything that has a broad reach and resonance, involving teams of people, meetings and brainstorming, that you are not operating in a vacuum.”, Kelly Wong, director of fashion, Lane Crawford: “You should demonstrate a strong sense of numbers and figures. Buyer #3: Online shop selling contemporary name brands and a few smaller designers Here are 3 Ways to Reach Retail Buyers for Your Fashion Collection Any buyer is only as good as their last weeks’ sales – so the saying “from hero to zero” is appropriate. To gain a place on the scheme you'll need a minimum 2:1 degree. When you do that, you’re inadvertently creating a relationship with the recruiter or the manager and making yourself memorable.”. I love going to work everyday passing stores and knowing that the outfit in the shop window is the highest seller this week is because of me. Fast track your career with top tips from buyers at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Lane Crawford, Matchesfashion.com and Ssense. Oh, and you get to buy clothes all day. Share. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10. You have to be very tough and resilient to shoulder the pressure,” she says. We no longer benchmark ourselves among other retailers in our region, so our buyers are working harder to curate unique edits for our discerning customers.”, 6. By ... We know that they are on all the runways, we know that the skirt and top is becoming is a new way to basically wear a dress -- and it's cooler. How Can College Students and Recent Grads Break Into The Fashion Industry? So if my buyers just looked at the history, we wouldn't go … BC: “You need to understand and relate to the Ssense point of view. Before your interview, scope the store to understand the customer, JS: “I always ask each candidate why you want to be a buyer at Barneys New York. To advance beyond a buyer position, perhaps to a career as a top-level purchasing manager, you typically need a … Come prepared. How to Become a Fashion Buyer – E-course Fashion Book Review This is an amazing, thoroughly detailed e-course on’ How to Become a Fashion Buyer’ which covers all aspects of the world of fashion from a buyer’s point of view. © 2020 The Business of Fashion. ", Brigitte Chartrand, womenswear buying director, Ssense: “Having a good understanding of the audience that we are speaking to will definitely stand out in an interview. LONDON, United Kingdom — Breaking into fashion is notoriously difficult; those aspiring to work in competitive fields such as buying and merchandising face even more daunting odds in securing employment. Want to become a top fashion buyer? Comment When you do get back in touch after an interview, it opens up a dialogue. You should be a Fashion Buyer…. Become a Fashion Buyer The career of a fashion buyer is exciting and challenging. How to become a fashion buyer Fashion buying, as a profession, does not necessarily need you to have a specific degree. They are responsible for deciding between the current fashion trends, as well as the classic traditional pieces which sell quite well. Despite the popularity of specialist education, graduates often emerge without a clear understanding of how to present themselves and their work to prospective employers. All the duties of a fashion buyer are covered in this video. However, it is not a pre-requisite, and candidates who do not have a degree tend to make up for it through experience and a qualification specific to the industry. The fashion industry feels like an uncrackable industry, but it doesn't have to be. Read up on the company's latest initiatives, walk the store or the category for which you are interviewing, understand your audience and have a few relevant questions ready. Typically, in regards to education you will need to have studied a degree related to the role such as Fashion. Fashion buyers usually need a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising and two to five years related merchandising experience. Recently I got asked how I became a fashion Buyer and it wasn't the first time I've been asked, so I thought it would be great to share some tips and advice. Take risks with your portfolio to show your creative instinct, KW: “We always encourage our team to constructively challenge conventions and step outside of their comfort zone. 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