Life As A Fashion Buyer | Breaking Fashion

Summary

The speaker shares their experience as a buyer in the fashion industry, where they manage budgets and select clothes for the website. They describe the excitement and stress of curating collections, working with designers, and meeting tight deadlines. Staying updated on trends and influencers, both big and small, is key to their role. Despite the challenges, the job offers travel and a dynamic work environment. They advise aspiring professionals to gain experience and network within the industry to open doors for future opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 A fashion buyer's role involves selecting and purchasing clothes for a website, with a focus on commercial appeal and staying within budget.
• 😀 The process includes evaluating samples, making decisions about which items are worth featuring, and waiting for final approvals from decision-makers like Adam and Emily.
• 😀 A significant part of the job involves working under pressure to meet tight deadlines, often with only a short window to finalize everything before delivery.
• 😀 The buyer needs to be on top of current fashion trends, keeping up with social media, influencers, and even micro-influencers to anticipate future trends.
• 😀 Staying informed requires constant research, including following top editors, runway shows, and designers on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
• 😀 The role of a buyer is dynamic, with frequent travel and opportunities to work with designers and collaborators from various locations.
• 😀 One of the main challenges in the job is dealing with problems like defects in products or delays, which require quick communication with suppliers to resolve.
• 😀 A fashion buyer must be organized, confident in decision-making, and able to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• 😀 The role involves managing relationships with suppliers, ensuring that issues are addressed and products are returned when necessary.
• 😀 To break into this career, gaining experience through internships and networking with fashion brands is crucial, as the industry is small and relies on connections.

Q & A

What is the most enjoyable aspect of the job described in the transcript?

The most enjoyable aspect of the job is getting to work with clothes every day, including selecting and managing the budget for new items to be featured on the website.

What is the responsibility of the person in charge of buying clothes for the website?

The person in charge of buying clothes is responsible for selecting items for the website, ensuring they are commercial and appealing, and managing the budget to acquire the clothes.

What part of the process is described as the most nerve-racking?

The most nerve-racking part is when the buyer puts in all the effort to prepare, and then has to wait for someone to approve the selections or reject them.

How does the buyer ensure the clothes chosen are suitable?

The buyer makes sure the clothes are suitable by selecting only the items they think are commercial or will serve the brand, rejecting anything that doesn’t meet these criteria before it gets to the approval stage.

Why is it important for the buyer to stay up to date with fashion trends?

Staying up to date with fashion trends is important for the buyer to make informed decisions about what to purchase, ensuring the clothes reflect current styles and are aligned with social media and influencer trends.

What platforms does the buyer use to stay informed about trends?

The buyer uses Instagram, Pinterest, and follows editors of magazines, runway companies, high-end designers, and influencers to stay updated on trends.

What challenges are faced by the team in this job role?

The team faces challenges like working under tight deadlines, especially when collaborating with celebrities and ensuring everything is ready on time. Additionally, managing issues like product returns can be stressful.

How does the team handle challenges related to deadlines?

The team manages tight deadlines by being highly organized, making decisions quickly, and communicating effectively with suppliers to ensure everything is on track and ready for delivery.

What advice is given to someone who wants to get into this career?

The advice is to gain as much experience as possible, intern with fashion brands, and network within the fashion industry, as it is a small world where connections can open doors.

What skills are emphasized as necessary for this job?

The job requires strong organizational skills, the ability to meet deadlines, confidence in decision-making, and the ability to act quickly without causing delays.