Buying - The Insider Knowledge

I’ve been speaking to some industry experts from various retail businesses about the role of buyers. They had some interesting tips so I thought I’d share with you.

1. Direct fashion buying experience isn’t always necessary, whatever the job advert may say. If you have some retail/fashion experience and want to enter this field, go for it.

2. Sometimes, if you can’t get the job straight away, find another in the business that you can apply for and work your way through the departments from the inside.

3. Interviews are brilliant experience. Whether you think you’ll get the job or not, give it a go. It will give you a great insight in to the kinds of questions you will be asked, and what the interviewers are looking for in a candidate.

4. Ask around, if you know anyone in the business, ask for some advice about the best ways to get experience and get a better idea of what you’re getting yourself in to.

5. Trainee buyer roles are mostly admin, e.g. dealing with post, maintaining a tidy sample room, checking sample colours against the company palette and preparing for meetings.

6. In order to develop a range every season, the process begins with designers and buyers, both of whom visit catwalk shows and go on buying trips to review competitors stock. This allows them to find the best trends for the next season and take away ideas for their own lines.

7. Remember that this job can be very demanding, especially if you move up the ladder and have to go on more buying trips. These can last weeks if necessary so you have to be prepared to be away from friends and family for long periods of time. Aside from the buying trips, it is also a job that requires more than 9-5. You may find that you will have to be in work early, or be expected to stay late on a regular basis, especially in the run up to pre-season selections.

8. Finally, if you have the passion and drive to work hard and succeed in this area, you will.

Hope this helps all you budding buyers!

Lots of love,

Quick update from me. X

I'm sat on the floor of our lovely lounge with the boyfriend playing his 6th game of FIFA do thought I'd take the opportunity to write my latest post. I should point out that I am writing this on our new iPad. I've got to admit, it's pretty awesome, although I'm finding the keyboard a little difficult for so much writing. I'll have to proof read before I publish this! Thing is, can you believe that this was actually free?! The boyfriend won the iPad from work so I'm loving it even more! it's great fun and easy to use. Been looking at apps for sketching on the go, but as it hasn't been pay day yet, I can't afford to pay for any. When I get one sorted and actually start creating something, I'll let you know.

In the mean time, we cleared out our wardrobe again today. I seem to be doing this every month for the charity bags that land on our doorstep and amazingly usually have something to give. Today however, I'm recycling something old for myself. It's a Ted Baker black jacket from a few years ago which I used to wear all the time. That is until it was no longer black. Unfortunately it went a little faded but finally I have purchased some black dye and am currently in the process of restoring it to it's former glory! Hopefully by the end of the day, I should have a great jacket once again. I also found a colourful dress I purchased from New Look whilst in my final year at uni. I'm not totally happy with it anymore as it's strapless and very bright and usually makes me look a funny colour. But as I was trying it on earlier, I realised the bottom half would make a gorgeous skirt. So the plan is to unpick the seam along the waist line and hem it to create a lovely high waisted skirt. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm going back to basics with my sewing. I never showed you all the dress I made last year when I took a dressmaking course. It was cute and I was amazed I succeeded so I think I got a little cocky. Unfortunately, I tried to make something much too complicated with a difficult fabric and the result left me fairly sad and unconvinced of my ability. So I'm starting fresh, learning the basic skills and building myself up slowly. I did manage to make some gorgeous cushion covers for our lounge so I'll show you those soon.

For now, best go check on the dye.

Lots of love,