Fashion Buyer - Career Profile
Also called: Apparel Buyer, Buyer
Job Description
A fashion buyer is responsible for the products that the company sells, making fashion buyer jobs quite important for the company and for the brand that they carry. They oversee the development of clothes which are targeted towards a particular market and price range. Depending on how big the company is, there might be one fashion buyer or a team of fashion buyers responsible for the clothes which the company would carry.
Most of fashion buyers communicate to both internal and external stakeholders, so proper public relations is a definite plus. They need to communicate effectively within the team, as well as the clothing suppliers and manufacturers so as to avoid misunderstandings which are very crucial in the fashion industry.
Fashion buyers typically work with the merchandising team, fashion designers (if any), and department managers to decide on the right pieces which they will sell. They need to visualize the budget and the profits that the company would make, as well as how much they need to spend and they need to gain.
A typical fashion buyer works with clothing suppliers to make and select the proper clothing pieces for the target market. They are responsible for deciding between the current fashion trends, as well as the classic traditional pieces which sell quite well.
Fashion buyer jobs entail you to maintain good relations with suppliers, while being able to negotiate prices with them. A fashion buyer is also the one who makes sure that suppliers deliver the new stocks on time. Fashion buyers also monitor the best-selling pieces in the stores and make sure that they are always available for consumers.
As a fashion buyer, you need to think ahead of time and always be prepared - especially when the season changes. Season changes mean that there is a new collection of clothes. The most important seasons would be autumn and spring. A typical fashion buyer buys clothes at least six months in advance; this means that you would be buying autumn/winter clothes in January to February, and then again for the spring/summer collection in August.
Fashion Buyer Qualities
Being a fashion buyer requires you to be creative and to be flexible. Since a fashion buyer would probably be traveling to the important places in the fashion world like Paris, then moving on to Asia to make sure that these clothing pieces would be produced just like how you want them to be, flying shouldn't be a problem for you. Studying the past and the present, as well as forecasting future fashion trends is also a must.
A good fashion buyer is always good and confident with people. They know how to negotiate and to practice good public relations, as well as mingle and maintain good relations with suppliers and designers. They also know how to be decisive, and are well-motivated and imaginative.
Perhaps the best quality that most fashion buyer jobs find would be enthusiasm, as well as self-motivation. Nothing beats it when a fashion buyer loves his or her job, and has a passion for fashion and clothes. It also helps if they love challenges, and are excited about learning the buying behaviors of their target market so they can develop better clothing pieces to sell.
Job Outlook
Since clothing, general merchandise and accessories are the largest employers in the country, it is typical that the fashion buying industry has employees from all over the country. There are employees from these industries from both rural and urban areas. Most of employees are quite young, with around 29% of them being 24 years old and below, according to a BLS Current Population Survey in 2008.
It isn't a surprise, as well, that most fashion buyers or those who work in the fashion industry are young, as well. Since young people are generally the ones who are always updated with the latest fashion trends, typical fashion buyer jobs are being offered to young people.
There is also a big opportunity in this industry, since you can always climb up the fashion industry ladder to make your way on the top. In three to five years, you can easily become a full-fledged senior fashion buyer.
Training, Education, and Advancement
When applying for some fashion buyer jobs, some may require fashion or business degrees. Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising are good degrees for somebody who is interested in being a buyer, as well as various Business degrees in Public Relations, Promotions and Merchandise Planning.
Having some retail experience in a fashion boutique can also let you make better decisions when you become a buyer. Some department stores and different fashion boutiques have internships and training programs for those who are interested. Studying formally about the fashion industry and getting some on the job training can surely help and hone you to become a good buyer in the near future.
Career Path: Assistant Fashion Buyer > Fashion Buyer > Divisional Merchandise Manager
Source:
Monster.com
To find a fashion design school location near you and learn more about the fashion programs available, click on any of the school links below:
Online Fashion Schools
Academy of Art University - Masters, Bachelors and Associates degree programs in Fashion
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Online Division - Bachelor's In Fashion & Retail Management
Berkeley College - Bachelor's of Science in Fashion Marketing & Management (Online), Bachelor's of Arts in Fashion Marketing & Management (Online), Associates in Fashion Marketing & Management (Online)
International Academy of Design & Technology Online - Bachelor's In Fashion Merchandising
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Arizona Fashion Design Schools
Phoenix
The Art Institute of Phoenix - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Collins College (Phoenix) - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design
Tucson
The Art Institute of Tucson - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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California Fashion Design Schools
Hollywood
The Art Institutes of California - Hollywood - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Marketing, Associates in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Inland Empire
The Art Institutes of California - Inland Empire - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Irvine
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (Irvine) - Associates degree programs in Apparal Manufacturing Management, Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing, Fashion Design, Fashion Knitwear Design, Jewelry Design, Merchandise Marketing, Merchandise Product Development. Advanced Study Programs in Entertainment Set Design & Decoration, Fashion Design, Film & TV Costume Design, Footwear Design, International Manufacturing & Product Development, & Theater Costume Design
Los Angeles
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (Los Angeles) - Associates degree programs in Apparal Manufacturing Management, Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing, Fashion Design, Fashion Knitwear Design, Jewelry Design, Merchandise Marketing, Merchandise Product Development. Advanced Study Programs in Entertainment Set Design & Decoration, Fashion Design, Film & TV Costume Design, Footwear Design, International Manufacturing & Product Development, & Theater Costume Design
Fremont College (Los Angeles) - Associates Degree in Fashion Design
The Art Institutes of California - Los Angeles - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Orange County
The Art Institutes of California - Orange County - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Sacramento
International Academy of Design & Technology (Sacramento) - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design
The Art Institutes of California - Sacramento - Diploma in Fashion Retailing
San Diego
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (San Diego) - Associates degree programs in Apparal Manufacturing Management, Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing, Fashion Design, Fashion Knitwear Design, Jewelry Design, Merchandise Marketing, Merchandise Product Development. Advanced Study Programs in Entertainment Set Design & Decoration, Fashion Design, Film & TV Costume Design, Footwear Design, International Manufacturing & Product Development, & Theater Costume Design
The Art Institutes of California - San Diego - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
San Francisco
Academy of Art University, San Francisco - Masters, Bachelors and Associates degree programs in Fashion
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (San Francisco) - Associates degree programs in Apparal Manufacturing Management, Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing, Fashion Design, Fashion Knitwear Design, Jewelry Design, Merchandise Marketing, Merchandise Product Development. Advanced Study Programs in Entertainment Set Design & Decoration, Fashion Design, Film & TV Costume Design, Footwear Design, International Manufacturing & Product Development, & Theater Costume Design
The Art Institutes of California - San Francisco - Master's in Fashion Marketing, Master's in Fashion Design, Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Sunnyvale
The Art Institutes of California - Sunnyvale - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Colorado Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Colorado - Denver - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Connecticut Fashion Design Schools
Hartford
Lincoln College of New England - Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising
Farmington
Sanford-Brown College - AAS in Fashion Design and Merchandising
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Florida Fashion Design Schools
Fort Lauderdale
American InterContinental University (Fort Lauderdale) - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Design
The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Jacksonville
The Art Institute of Jacksonville - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Miami
Miami International University of Art & Design - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Orlando
International Academy of Design & Technology (Orlando) - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design
Tampa
International Academy of Design & Technology (Tampa) - Bachelor's in Fashion Design
The Art Institute of Tampa - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Georgia Fashion Design Schools
Atlanta
American InterContinental University (Buckhead, Atlanta) - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Design
Bauder College (Atlanta) - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design
The Art Institute of Atlanta - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Illinois Fashion Designing Schools
Chicago
The Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Illinois Institute of Art, Schaumburg - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
International Academy of Design & Technology (Chicago) - Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design
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Indiana Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Indianapolis - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Massachusetts Fashion Design Schools
The New England Institute of Art - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management
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Michigan Fashion Design School
International Academy of Design & Technology - Detroit - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Merchandising
The Art Institute of Michigan, Detroit - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Art Institute of Michigan, Troy - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Minnesota Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institutes International - Minneapolis - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Missouri Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institutes International - Kansas City - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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International Academy of Design & Technology - Las Vegas - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing & Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design
The Art Institute of Las Vegas - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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New Jersey Fashion Design Schools
Newark
Berkeley College - BS in Fashion Marketing & Management, AAS in Fashion Marketing & Management
West Patterson
Berkeley College - BS in Fashion Marketing & Management, AAS in Fashion Marketing & Management
Woodbridge
Berkeley College - AAS in Fashion Marketing & Management
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New York Fashion Design Schools
Berkeley College, New York City - BS in Fashion Marketing & Management, AAS in Fashion Marketing & Management
The Art Institute of New York City - Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design
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North Carolina Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Charlotte - Associates in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham - Bachelors in Fashion Marketing & Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Ohio Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati - Bachelors in Fashion Marketing & Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Merchandising, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Oregon Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Portland - Bachelors in Apparel Design, Bachelors in Apparel Accessory Design, Bachelors in Fashion Marketing, Associates in Apparel Design, Associates in Apparel Accessory Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Philadelphia
The Art Institute of Philadelphia - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Marketing, Associates in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Pittsburgh
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
York
The Art Institute of York - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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South Carolina Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Charleston - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Tennessee Fashion Design Schools
International Academy of Design & Technology - Nashville - Bachelor's in Fashion Design & Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design & Merchandising
The Art Institute of Tennessee - Nashville - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Austin
The Art Institute of Austin - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Dallas
The Art Institute of Dallas - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Fort Worth
The Art Institute of Fort Worth - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Houston
The Art Institute of Houston - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Art Institute of Houston - North - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
San Antonio
International Academy of Design & Technology - San Antonio - Bachelor's in Fashion Design & Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design & Merchandising, Associates in Merchandise Management
The Art Institute of San Antonio - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Utah Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Salt Lake City - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Virginia Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Washington - Arlington - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Art Institute of Washington - Northern Virginia - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
The Art Institute of Virginia Beach - Bachelor's in Fashion & Retail Management, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Washington Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Seattle - Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Associates in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
International Academy of Design & Technology - Seattle - Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Bachelor's in Fashion Merchandising, Associates in Fashion Design, Associates in Fashion Merchandising
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Wisconsin Fashion Design Schools
The Art Institute of Wisconsin - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
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Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Fashion Schools
The Art Institute of Vancouver - - Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing, Bachelor's in Fashion Design, Diploma in Fashion Retailing
Center for Arts & Technology, Kelowna - Diploma in Fashion Design
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