A guide to becoming a fashion buyer
- Abbie Grace
- May 16, 2024
- 3 min read
One of the most popular jobs in the industry, a fashion buyer is responsible for what product the brand is selling.
Trend Forecasting...
Trend forecasting consists of making decisions about how trends will develop over time. This is a huge part of the job when it comes to fashion buying. This is particularly difficult at the moment as trends are constantly moving in and out. However, with the use of social media, buyers can see what people are talking about and what's trending and make decisions from that. Buyers also tend to attend fashion shows which tell us about the collections of the upcoming seasons, making it a great tool.
Tips for Trend Forecasting!
Keep an eye out for what the consumer is talking about. Even when you are scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, make a mental note of the consumer's wants and needs. It's also key to stay alert in terms of what TV shows or movies are trending. An example could be the recent movie, Challengers. If you spent more than just 5 minutes on TikTok you would hear all about having a 'Challengers summer'. The consumer loves the aesthetics of shows such as these and therefore attempts to dress as if they were in the film. It's the same for movies such as, 'Call Me By Your Name' which makes its resurgence like clockwork each summer.
As a buyer, the job may require you to travel to factories and different clients so that you can see the multitude of different fabrics and materials in person. This may also include print and patterns. In my opinion, this is one of the most exciting parts of the job, it allows you to experience different countries and fashion at the same time!
Understanding sustainability and what fabrics cause the least harm to the environment as well as those that create the least amount of waste has become a huge part of the role in recent years. This is because the consumer is more in the know of how fashion can negatively affect the environment. Therefore, what the buyer chooses can make or break the reputation of a brand.
The life of a fashion buyer:
Negotiating prices with clients as well as dates and making sure you and the client have communicated well. This is especially true if there is a language barrier, which is often the case when importing fabrics and other materials from different countries.
Predicting trends in fashion - through fashion shows and market research.
Maintaining relationships with clients is absolutely key in this job role. If there are disputes between the two sides it could mean not being able to work with them again which could be detrimental for the company.
Inspecting different products to make sure there are no errors.
Skills needed for the role:
Great Verbal and written communication.
The ability to remain calm under stressful situations. For example, if a deal with a client falls through, you must be there to pick up the pieces.
Knowledge of the fashion industry- it's important to know what used to be trending and what's currently trending to predict future trends.
The Perks!
Lots of travel.
The opportunity to influence fashion trends.
Opportunity for creative expression.
Bibliography
Gaillot, A.-D. (2023). What Is Trend Forecasting? Trend Prediction Guide. [online] Meltwater. Available at: https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/trend-forecasting-prediction.
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