Being a fashion buyer is one of the most sought after careers in fashion. Behind the glamorous image of a buyer who is travelling the world to select the latest pieces off fashion week runways is a job that requires a combination of skill sets to be successful. Solely responsible for selecting and ordering what is sold in stores to ensure maximum profit, in this demanding role you’ll need to be constantly trend spotting, have a strong business sense and be a great communicator. FashionUnited takes a look at what it takes to be a fashion buyer in the competitive yet exciting world of fashion.
Trend forecasting and brand discovery
Taking from their knowledge of fashion together with business sense, fashion buyers decide what to buy, which mix of brands to buy and need to know what their customer is looking for. Besides maintaining strong relationships with top brands, buyers constantly stay on the lookout for new brands, designers and trends. Before the rise of Instagram, brand discovery would mostly be done via trade shows, networking, a magazine editor’s referral or simply from designers sending samples. Today, Instagram plays a large part in how fashion buyers discover and reach out to emerging brands.
Quantitative and analytical skills
The role of the fashion buyer is where art meets science, meaning being analytical and comfortable with math as well as fashion savvy will put you ahead. Once the buying process gets going, the buyer writes up buys, rolls out the budgets and processes orders. To keep track of inventory, the fashion buyer uses spreadsheet softwares (Excel,Google Sheets) and should be familiar with the formulas in the program. One minute the buyer could be talent scouting the latest brands, the next minute he/she could be presenting to the board why the buying decision has been made to purchase a budding designer’s collection based on consumer insight.
Planning and working with merchandisers on buying
What is the difference between a fashion buyer and merchandiser? Buying is a specialization in the merchandising field. Together withfashion merchandisers, they plan and make buying decisions. Based on the customer’s buying patterns and company budget, they analyze how much of each item to buy, the mix of brands and what to buy for each location that will drive profit. Through this meticulous planning process, a framework for what to purchase will be in place for the buyer to follow.
Experience and training
Many students believe that majoring in merchandising at a prestigious fashion institute is the path to becoming a successful fashion buyer. Although this is one option, there are also opportunities within the retail industry that can offer you the training for this job. From British Vogue’s “The Future of Fashion” documentary series, fashion maven Alexa Chung interviews Judd Crane, previously the director of womenswear and accessories at Selfridges (now CEO of Proenza Schouler). Crane advised that to become a good buyer, gaining experience in visual merchandising or working in personal shopping can be valuable as it teaches you what customers want. Another opportunity is to seek out and apply for training programs offered by top national retail stores. In blogger Song of Style’s “How to be a Buyer” video interview, Sharmaine Harrison (buyer of handbags and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue) shared that she learned the fundamentals of being a buyer and took the time to develop her craft through Macy’s training program.
Sourcing fabric and materials for brands
Besides being a fashion buyer on the retail side, buyers can also be responsible for sourcing fabric and materials for brands. Fabrics decided for a collection could determine how profitable it will be and designers have to work with fabrics available that season. It is rare for luxury brands to entirely create and weave their own fabric, but they are able to order specific prints, dyes or color combinations from manufacturers. It’s more common for sportswear companies such as Nike to create their own specialized fabrics. These buyers need to have a vast network with suppliers that sell fabric in bulk as well as in smaller quantities. Also, a good relationship with mills and suppliers is key. Oftentimes they will work with fabric agents that can offer advice and better trading terms with the mills.
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FAQs
Fashion Buyers work closely with designers, merchandisers, and suppliers to secure the best pieces for upcoming seasons. They may attend shows or trade fairs to see what's new and upcoming. They also negotiate prices and conditions with suppliers, manage budgets, and forecast sales trends to maximize profitability.
What does a fashion buyer do? ›
Fashion buyers choose apparel and accessories to be sold in retail stores. A buyer may own their own store or boutique, or work on behalf of a fashion store or department store. They meet with various vendors and designers to look at clothing, shoes, and accessories to decide if they are the right fit for the store.
What is the primary responsibility of the fashion buyer? ›
Fashion buyers typically work with the merchandising team, fashion designers, 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.
What skills do you need to be a fashion buyer? ›
Fashion buyers and merchandisers need to be adaptable and flexible in response to market shifts, new trends, and consumer preferences. Strong time management skills help them handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritise their workload effectively.
Why do you want to work as a fashion buyer? ›
It's not just about whether you love to shop! A genuine passion for fashion is a definite must and an interest in particular brands, designers, fabrics and specific industry trends will impress a potential employer. Really think about why you want to work in the fashion industry as opposed to any other area in retail.
What does a buyer do? ›
Buyers are responsible for purchasing goods for a company to use or sell in their own business. This position requires extensive research and the ability to negotiate contracts with suppliers, manage an inventory, evaluate quality goods, and stick within a budget.
What does a buyer do during Fashion Week? ›
Fashion buyers attend fashion shows to understand the trends of the coming seasons. They notice every single detail including how fashion icons and customers respond to the new collections. Each city is a source of inspiration for future trends and helps buyers make their buying decisions.
What is the career objective of fashion buyer? ›
Start with a strong summary or objective statement
Example: “Results-driven fashion buyer with 5+ years of experience in the industry. Proven track record of successfully predicting trends and driving sales. Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
What are the core responsibilities of a buyer? ›
You'll be in charge of making key decisions throughout the buying process including:
- Selecting new products and reviewing the old.
- Finding the right suppliers.
- Negotiating prices (so the store doesn't get ripped off)
- Ensuring the products are delivered on time.
- Helping to interpret reports and predicting future sales.
The Top 25 influential and inspiring Fashion Buyers
- Fatema Kundawala. Fashion Buyer. ...
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- Leander Rebello. Fashion Buyer, Absolute Snow. ...
- Daylen Tisher. Fashion Buyer, Sister Kate's. ...
- Nicole Ann Reynolds. Fashion Buyer, River Island. ...
- Okan Varlak. ...
- Irina Chumarova. ...
- Jenni Van der Watt.
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You'll typically have to make business trips to meet with manufacturers and wholesalers, participate in trade shows, and travel to other stores. Networking, relationship-building, and negotiation will also be a part of your everyday life, so you'll need excellent people skills to succeed.
Does fashion buyer need math? ›
Skills for a fashion buyer
Knowledge in mathematics: You need to have mathematical skills to perform calculations and compare different prices from different suppliers.
What does a fashion buyer actually do? ›
Fashion buyers work alongside merchandisers to create plans for collections based on the brand's overall budget and customer buying patterns. Merchandisers can help Buying teams make key decisions by ensuring that product ranges meet consumer needs at the right price, in the right place and at the right time.
Is fashion buyer stressful? ›
Fashion Buyers have a significant role to play by making buying decisions that result in the companies success and business growth. While being a Fashion Buyer is stressful and challenging at times, with the right skills, knowledge and lots of hard work you too can develop a rewarding and successful career.
Do fashion buyers travel a lot? ›
Traveling opportunities
As a fashion buyer advances in their career, they may encounter opportunities to travel to fashion shows and industry trade shows. These shows allow them to research upcoming fashion trends and inform their merchandise purchasing decisions.
Is it hard to become a fashion buyer? ›
It typically takes 5-6 years to become a fashion buyer: Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as fashion merchandising, business, or marketing. Years 5-6: Accumulating the necessary work experience in areas like sales, retail, or fashion buying.
Is fashion buying a stressful job? ›
Fashion Buyers have a significant role to play by making buying decisions that result in the companies success and business growth. While being a Fashion Buyer is stressful and challenging at times, with the right skills, knowledge and lots of hard work you too can develop a rewarding and successful career.
What is the highest salary for a fashion buyer? ›
Fashion Buyer Salary
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay |
|---|
| Top Earners | $93,000 | $7,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 |
| Average | $68,384 | $5,698 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 |
