Fashion can be hard to keep up with. Trends come and go just as quickly, so finding the right pieces for the right people can be a challenge. Enter fashion buyers, professionals tasked with the often highly sought-after job of sourcing and curating collections for retailers. Coming up with clothing and accessories that will appeal to their target market almost requires a sixth sense. From finding the perfect pieces, to knowledge of fabrics, to understanding the present landscape of the fashion industry – it isn’t easy being a fashion buyer. But it is a fascinating, multilayered job, and one that keeps ever-evolving. In this article, we will explore the skillset, knowledge base, and job outlook for fashion buyers.
-The Alluring Art of Sourcing: Exploring the Role of a Fashion Buyer
Fashion buyers occupy a unique position in between design and retail. On one hand, they exercise creative judgement in selecting the trends and trends-to-come that will make up the season’s garments, but they also need to be well-versed in market economics. They need to have an eye for aesthetics and the ability to think commercially and anticipate consumer demand.
To be a successful fashion buyer, you must first understand the business of fashion and fashion trends. You need to have knowledge of fabrications, manufacturing methods, and pricing points. With this understanding, you are better equipped to make informed decisions, such as predicting a garment’s retail success. You also need to be aware of the ever-changing fashion influences in order to bring fresh styles to the market.
In addition to having a knack for fashion and design, a fashion buyer must also be well-versed in the art of sourcing. Sourcing is the process of locating quality materials and construction at the best possible price and in the most efficient manner possible. It is a skill that goes hand-in-hand with design, as a buyer needs to be able to combine both creativity and practicality to construct an item that can be produced and sold at a profit.
Ultimately, fashion buyers are responsible for assembling the right elements – fabrics, trims, designs, trends – to create collections that will be successful in the market. This is a delicate task that requires an experienced buyer to be flexible, creative, and up-to-date with all of the latest industry trends. An effective fashion buyer knows how to utilize the elements of design, production, and retail management to bring beautiful, profitable fashion to the marketplace.
-The Logistical Side of Sourcing: Discerning Quality and Value
When sourcing items for your business, discerning quality and value is one of the essential, logistical components of the process. It’s not just about finding the right product at the right price – it’s about finding the right product at the right price, that can stand the test of time and be consistently reliable.
What Does Quality Mean?
Creating andupholding a quality standard is paramount when choosing items for your supply lines. Just what constitutes ‘quality’? Quality implies a degree of excellence and might incorporate any or all of the following:
- Durability – Can it stand up to regular use, extremes in temperature, and other environmental conditions?
- Consistency – Is the product the same every time, or is there fluctuations in performance between batches?
- Attention to detail – Is the product made with precision? Do its parts fit together as intended? Are there any loose ends?
- Presentation – Is the product aesthetically pleasing? Is the design modern and attractive?
What Does Value Mean?
Value isn’t necessarily the same as price – it’s about the overall worth of the product, whether it’s going to suit your business’s needs and budget in the long term. The item’s value might be evidenced in any or all of the following:
- Cost – Is the initial purchase price accessible and in line with competitors? Is it worth the profit margin for each sale?
- Delivery/ Shipping – Is there a reliable and fast delivery/shipping process in place?
- Support – Are there knowledgeable and helpful customer service/ technical specialists who can help with problem-solving?
- Flexibility – Is the product flexible enough to be used in a variety of scenarios? Are there multiple configurations/ versions available?
By identifying the various qualities and values associated with a given product, you stand a better chance of sourcing items for your business which meet your needs and exceed customer expectations.
-Curating Collection with Discerning Taste: Crafting a Brand’s Image
A strong brand is the result of an effective curation process. Crafting a clear image and distinct style, brands aim to ensure their collections are classic, tasteful, and timeless. Here are the key elements to consider when curating a brand’s collection:
- Quality: Building a strong brand identity is all about choice. Selecting top-notch pieces that stand the test of time requires careful consideration.
- Style: Pieces should reflect the overall aesthetic of the brand’s values and mission. Develop a collection that expresses the same message each time.
- Personality: Brands convey personality through curation. It’s essential to create a selection of items that reflects the company’s values, while making sure it resonates with customers.
A successful curation process requires a keen eye for detail and an unparalleled sense of taste. It’s important to create a strong and unique vibe that elevates the company’s identity and resonates with its target market.
By carefully picking pieces that express the brand’s unique identity and maintaining consistent messaging, companies are able to build trust and loyalty with customers – curating a collection that not only stands out, but also says something about the brand.
-2019 Shopping Trends: A Guide for the Savvy Fashion Buyer
As the largest global marketplaces expand and proliferate on the internet, savvy fashion buyers are increasingly turning to online platforms for their fashion needs. To meet demand, businesses are adapting to the latest trends and consumer behavior, giving shoppers the power of choice when making fashion decisions. Here’s what savvy fashion buyers should look out for in 2019:
- Environmental consciousness: Clothing companies with a strong track record in sustainability are rising in popularity, and savvy fashion buyers are actively looking to support these brands. Many companies are adopting eco-friendly practices by using renewable resources, recycling fabrics, and re-engineering production processes.
- Variety of offerings: Consumers are savvier than ever, and with that comes the need for variety. From traditional corporate luxury retail brands to independent local boutique lines, there is an abundance of choice for shoppers looking to create a unique wardrobe. Savvy fashion buyers will opt for companies that specialize in multiple fashion trends from both big names and up-and-coming labels.
- Convenience shopping: Time is precious, and shoppers no longer have it in spades. Technology advancements have caused an influx in convenient express shipping services, allowing shoppers to purchase items and have them delivered in a matter of days. Companies that have excellent online and mobile availability will continue to be the go-to choice for savvy fashion buyers.
Lastly, the most important trend savvy fashion buyers should look for is authenticity. Shopping from brands that value ethical practices and worker safety is increasingly important. Shopping should be an enjoyable experience and consumers should trust the products they are buying are of the utmost quality and integrity.
-Developing Relationships to Streamline the Sourcing Process
The sourcing process is part of a longer cycle including building relationships, connecting with vendors and choosing contracts, materials, and other services. All of these steps are pivotal for a successful outcome but establishing relationships with vendors can be the most crucial part of the sourcing process.
To ensure a streamlined sourcing process, here are a few steps to take to develop relationships:
- Research: Get to know the company; what are their values, quality of products, and selection of services.
- Nurture: Develop familiarity and trust with vendors. Take the time to personally connect.
- Embrace Transparency: When possible, share costs and expectations upfront. This strengthens trust and encourages collaboration.
- Remember the People: In the end, it always comes down to the people. Invest in building relationships with individuals for the greatest benefit.
Establishing relationships requires dedication; however the rewards are invaluable. Being well-informed makes the entire process more efficient and effective. With discoverable information for each vendor, decisions become easier. Together, both parties save time and there is an excellent chance of avoiding any misunderstandings or discrepancies.
Relationships are the foundation of the sourcing process. Taking the time to cultivate long-term partnerships or alliances leads to smooth, streamlined processes and more effective results.
-Staying Ahead of the Curve: A Fashion Buyer’s Guide to Forecasting & Trend Analysis
As a fashion buyer, staying ahead of the curve and predicting consumer trends are essential elements of your business. To make sure you’re keeping up with the market and setting yourself up for success, here are some tips for forecasting and trend analysis you can implement into your buying strategy.
Learn & Understand Your Customer: Who’s buying from you? And why? Understand your customer based on their demographics such as age, gender, income, and geographic location, as this can influence the products they’re drawn to. It’s important to make sure that you’re familiar with your customer base so that you’re familiar with their preferences when forecasting upcoming trends.
Research the Market & Identify Trends: Research the fashion marketplace and stay up to date with the latest style trends. Subscribing to industry newsletters, perusing social media, and regularly attending trade shows and industry events can be great resources to find what’s emerging in the fashion world. You can also look out for customer buying behavior, as these can be indicators of which fashion trends and designers will be big in the future.
Analyze Reports & Data: Regularly analyze reports such as sales reports and look at data such as sales figures, order information, and delivery dates. This can help you to identify trends and see which items are popular with your customers. It’s important to use the data at your disposal to project future trends and make decisions about buying.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: Utilize trend forecasting and trend analysis tools to stay ahead of the game and give your customers what they want. Popular trend forecasting tools include WGSN, the world’s largest trend platform, and Doneger Insights, a retail trend analysis tool. Utilizing these tools can provide you with the insight you need to buy the right products at the right time.
Fashion buyers are an integral part of the fashion industry, continuously working to stay ahead of the ever-changing trends and needs of retailers. With their knack for staying on top of the trends and sourcing unique pieces, fashion buyers help an entire industry stay innovative and ahead of the times. Whether you are a budding fashion buyer or a seasoned professional, you are sure to find an ever-evolving world of opportunities in the exciting field of fashion buying.
