JOB REASEARCH : BUYER , STYLIST , VISUAL MERCHANDISER

“I have taken the time out to research the fashion proffesions I am most interested in so I can help relate my findings through my research tasks to my future career! 

 What does a Fashion Stylist do?

Its the job title of someone who selects the clothing and accessories for published editorial features, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or other public figures.  Fashion Stylists are often part of a larger creative team assembled by the client, collaborating with the fashion designer, photographer/director, hair stylist and makeup artist to put together a particular look or theme for the specific project.  Fashion Stylists generally borrow and return clothing and accessories from fashion boutiques and directly from fashion designers. Items can also be bought if funds are available. Most boutiques and designers will want you to leave a deposit or credit card details in case the garment or accessory becomes damaged while on loan.  Fashion Stylists may perform the following tasks: Select items to appear in fashion magazines/media Select clothing for TV personalities, celebrities or the wardrobe for film or TV characters. Source fashion items and props for photographic shoots or film/tv personalities, or product placement in fashion magazines/media. Advise on photographic approaches and the selection of locations, props, clothing, models, makeup artists, photographers, hair stylists and the overall look for photo shoots. Advise and direct the photography of items and clothing selected for promotion. Liaise with fashion designers, retailers, the media, models/model agencies, photographers, makeup artists, hairdressers, beauty therapists, personal trainers and the media. Organise and compare fashion parades and events. Write articles on the latest fashion trends. Provide fashion direction to buyers, merchandisers and/or product developers/designers. Speak at events about image and fashion trends. Provide makeup and hair styling services to clients or complete makeup and hair styling on location for photo shoots.

Visual merchandiser: Job description

Visual merchandisers develop, deliver and communicate visual concepts and strategies to promote retail brands, products and services in-store, in catalogues or online. They may also work with museums and galleries or create visual concepts for events.

The majority of visual merchandising personnel are employed in retail stores, the lowest level being assistant visual merchandiser up to visual merchandising/image controller, employing a staff of fifty plus in a large organisation.

Visual merchandising designers who work in head office collaborate closely with other departments to create annual visual strategies and promotional events in order to entertain, excite and maintain the interest of the target markets.

Some visual merchandisers work on a freelance or consultancy basis and create visual concepts for clients or deliver training to retail teams.

Typical work activities

Day to day activities will vary depending on the employer and on the level of visual merchandising work being undertaken. Visual merchandisers working at higher levels can be based within head office teams, with regional teams, or at larger or flagship stores.

Activities typically include:

• liaising with teams such as buying, design and marketing to create design themes and plans, often months in advance, including window and in-store displays, signage and pricing concepts;
• conducting research on current and future trends in design and lifestyle, and associated target market features;
• meeting with business, sales managers and retail managers to discuss sales strategies;
• identifying and sourcing props, fabrics, hardware and lighting;
• maintaining a budget and negotiating with suppliers of visual materials;
• working with architectural features of stores to maximise the available space;
• using artistic skills or computer-aided design (CAD) packages, such as AutoCAD, Mockshop or Adobe Creative Suite, to create visuals and plans;
• if head office based, creating visual merchandising packs to communicate visual guidelines including layout principles, visual dressings and signage;
• visiting braches to coach in-store visual merchandising or sales teams to interpret the guidelines and training them in the execution of the visual concept;
• assembling or dismantling visual displays in windows or in-store;
• carrying out 'comp (comparison) shops' to maintain awareness of other retailers' visual merchandising concepts;
• leading and motivating teams to complete displays to tight deadlines;
• seeking feedback from colleagues and customers on the visual impact of displays and implementing changes.

Potential candidates should ensure they understand the difference between visual merchandising, retail merchandising and shop-floor merchandising. The latter two are concerned with volumes and allocation of stock and its location and functional arrangement on the shop floor, rather than the visual and creative impact it makes. There are interfaces between the roles and teams may work closely together to achieve maximum sales and profitability.

Retail buyer: Job description

A retail buyer is responsible for planning and selecting a range of products to sell in retail outlets. The buyer must consider the following factors when making purchasing decisions:

• customer demand, including price, quality and availability; 
• market trends;
• store policy;
• financial budgets.

Buyers source new merchandise and review existing items to ensure products remain competitive. By fully understanding customer needs, they are able to maximise profits and provide a commercially viable range of merchandise at competitive prices. Keeping up to date with market trends and reacting to changes in demand are key elements of the role.

Retail buyers have a considerable amount of responsibility and autonomy in what is often a pressured environment.

Typical work activities

Typical work activities can vary according to the season. This is particularly true for those working in fashion. For example, out of season, the majority of time will be spent in the workplace (in the office and on the shop floor), and during the buying season, a significant amount of time will be spent away from the workplace in order to assemble a new collection of merchandise.

Throughout the year, tasks typically involve:

• analysing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends; 
• regularly reviewing performance indicators, such as sales and discount levels;
• managing plans for stock levels;
• reacting to changes in demand and logistics;
• meeting suppliers and negotiating terms of contract;
• maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products;
• liaising with other departments within the organisation to ensure projects are completed;
• attending trade fairs, in the UK and overseas, to select and assemble a new collection of products;
• participating in promotional activities;
• writing reports and forecasting sales levels;
• presenting new ranges to senior retail managers;
• liaising with shop personnel to ensure supply meets demand;
• getting feedback from customers;
• training and mentoring junior staff.

Purchasing manager: Job description

Purchasing managers are responsible for buying the best quality equipment, goods and services for a company or organisation at the most competitive prices. They work in a wide range of sectors for many different organisations.

The purchasing manager oversees supply chain management and procurement, possibly on a worldwide scale.

They need to be good at negotiating, networking and dealing with numbers, as well as dealing with other factors such as sustainability, risk management and ethical issues.

Purchasing and supply management is an important role for any business or organisation. More than two thirds of revenue can be spent on buying the company's products or services, meaning the purchasing manager can make a real difference in cost saving and profit.

Typical work activities

The duties carried out by a purchasing manager depend largely on the business functions, size and location of the employing organisation.

The level of responsibility held by the purchasing manager will also influence responsibilities. Tasks typically involve:

• forecasting levels of demand for services and products to meet the business needs and keeping a constant check on stock levels;
• conducting research to ascertain the best products and suppliers in terms of best value, delivery schedules and quality;
• liaising between suppliers, manufacturers, relevant internal departments and customers;
• identifying potential suppliers, visiting existing suppliers, and building and maintaining good relationships with them;
• negotiating and agreeing contracts and monitoring their progress, checking the quality of service provided;
• processing payments and invoices;
• keeping contract files and using them as reference for the future;
• forecasting price trends and their impact on future activities;
• giving presentations about market analysis and possible growth;
• developing an organisation's purchasing strategy;
• producing reports and statistics using computer software;
• evaluating bids and making recommendations based on commercial and technical factors;
• ensuring suppliers are aware of business objectives;
• attending meetings and trade conferences;
• training and supervising the work of other members of staff.