Insight in the Field of Fashion Merchandising

Fashion merchandising as a career is gaining prominence in the contemporary fashion industry. Knowledge is power, therefore, before entering the field of Fashion Merchandising it is best be aware about the field. And, to get you started, here are some insights in the creative field of Fashion Merchandising.

What is Fashion Merchandising?

Fashion Merchandising is a board term that encompasses the business side of the fashion industry, from retail to advertising. It involves buying, pricing, marketing, displaying, and selling apparels or accessories.

What is the role of a Fashion Merchandiser?

The role of a Fashion Merchandiser is diverse and vast. Their responsibility is to get the right merchandise, in the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities. A Fashion Merchandiser is also a buyer who selects what items will be stocked in a store. This merchandiser is, thus, expected to have basic understanding of the fashion history, market trends and customer sensibility. A Fashion Merchandiser also plays a key role in deciding the pricing and marketing strategy of a brand.

                              

What it takes to be a Fashion Merchandiser?

For one, a merchandiser should have a knack for understanding the creative side of fashion designing along with having a head for business. Then, a merchandiser must also have good knowledge about styling, advertising, marketing and brand management.

How to be a Fashion Merchandiser?

Undertaking formal education in a fashion school like Whistling Woods- Neeta Lulla School of Fashion is the first step in building a career in the field of Fashion Merchandising. In a fashion school like Whistling Woods- Neeta Lulla School of Fashion, an aspiring merchandiser will gain knowledge key aspects of merchandising like visual, retail, export, which covers the vast field of ‘Fashion Merchandising.’    

Fashion Merchandising as a Potential Career

The fashion industry has over the years encompassed every aspect of the art and business world. This highly creative field offers jobseekers careers in various fields tailored to their liking. A career in Fashion Merchandising is proving to be one of the most important aspects in the field of fashion.

Fashion merchandising is the business side of the fashion industry. It creates a link between fashion creators and buyers. Along with having an eye for fashion, an aspirant should also have a strong business sense. A rather broad term, a fashion merchandiser’s responsibility is to deliver the apparel requests and meet the needs of customers and designers. The job description also includes developing campaigns, displays, advertisements and marketing, creating sales strategies, customer relations and creative technologies as required. They not only have to ensure accessibility of the merchandise but also make sure it appeals to the targeted customers. Basically buying, pricing, marketing, displaying and selling of garments and accessories are things a fashion merchandiser must take care of.

For a successful career in this field, possessing a formal education is crucial. You need to know the ins and outs of the business and having a good fashion sense is just a bonus. Developing your business skill is of the utmost importance. You must polish your marketing strategies, know which store should sell what and how to recognize fashion trends and, of course, learn to predict future trends.

The other point of importance is that of an internship, which has been emphasized time and again. No matter the career you opt for, having an internship will definitely build a strong foundation. You will get familiar with the ways things work in the business world and once you complete your education you will have enough knowledge to forge your own success story in the real world. There are fashion schools that provide placements and internship options, so do your research about the school you want to join.

We at Whistling Woods Neeta Lulla School of Fashion have a diploma course which specializes in various fashion aspects. As a part of the Fashion Merchandising course students are introduced to the three key aspects of merchandising, namely visual, retail and export. This module will aid students by increasing their global awareness of the fashion industry and identify where opportunities exist. A student’s knowledge base is enhanced by attending workshops, presentation, group projects and eminent guest lecturers from the fashion industry. Through our courses, we look to not only build the practical knowledge a student possesses but also augment their theoretical knowledge since the latter is of key importance in the professional world. Explore a career in fashion with us and get ready to do what you love!

Career Options for Fashion Aspirants

The glamorous and lucrative line of Fashion Designing has beckoned a lot of young creative minds to join this career path. For a lot of people, Fashion Designing is normally associated with only the designing aspect, but the fashion industry is huge. Aspirants with artistic skills and an extensive fashion sense can make a successful career in fashion as one of the following.

Fashion Stylist

Fashion Styling is one of the career lines that have been there for a few decades but in recent years it has reached its full potential. The job description involves selecting correct clothes for editorial features, prints, television, advertising campaigns, movies, music videos, award functions, music concerts or any other public appearance by celebrities. A stylist collaborates with fashion designers, hair and makeup stylists to create the prefect look for the client. A stylist is the person who gets a celebrity on the best dressed list. Today retail stores and e-stores boast a personal stylist, who helps the buyers in picking the perfect outfit.

Fashion Merchandising

Fashion Merchandising is where fashion meets business. The designer has to launch his product and this is where a Fashion Merchandiser comes in. From producing a fashion line to final sale, a merchandiser is ‘involved in each step’. They ensure the supply of quality apparel to the customers in the most suitable retail setting, during the right season. They should be up to date with the current trends and also be able to forecast the future trends. There are sub-careers that fall under this category, such as retail management.

Fashion Illustration

A Fashion Illustrator is someone who creates sketches and drawing or any other work of art. When staring a new line, Fashion Designer depends on an illustrator to realize their ideas through their drawing and sketches. These drawings are used by designers to sell the line before prototypes are made. The illustrator can bring the designer’s idea to life. For this line of work, artistic skills have to be polished as the illustrator has to capture the essence of the designs and not just draw lines.

Belinda Bawa a Fashion Illustrator

Fashion Journalist

Meher Castelino a Fashion Journalist

For a person who loves to write and has a soft corner for fashion, Fashion Journalism is the perfect career option. Everyday there is some fashion related event or fashion show all over the world and writing about them is a requirement. Magazines and fashion websites and blogs have popped up with by-the-minute reports on the latest happenings in the world of fashion, so let’s just say that this is one career option will never go out of fashion. 

Pattern Making (left), Textile Designing (right)

The fashion industry is filled with diverse career paths like Pattern Making, Textile Designing, Production Management and new ones keep emerging from time to time that give immense opportunities to fashion aspirants. So keep your eyes and ears tuned and you could hit the giddy heights of success before you know it.