When I decided that I wanted to major in fashion merchandiser, I knew nothing about which career paths I could pursue. All I knew was that I liked the curriculum and that it combined fashion and business- two things I have a knack for. After doing extensive research, I learned that the opportunities were endless!
Here are 7 of my favorite careers, in no particular order of awesome-ness.
1. Fashion Designer
Yes, it’s true; you don’t need to major in fashion design to become a fashion designer. It is a common misconception within the world of fashion school students. However, if one has a natural knack for fashion design, and can or has already taught oneself the basics of sewing, another major could successfully be pursued. A fashion designer with a strong background in fashion merchandising (in this case a degree) will have extensive knowledge on trend-forecasting, branding, marketing, and other key factors in the success of an already-awesome line. While it’s true that an artful eye and raging sewing and fashion design skills are at the root, merchandising knowledge will gives a designer the upper-hand.
what a fashion designer does: study trends, sketch and design clothing, pattern-making, sew, attend trade shows, conduct fittings, communicate with clients
2. Visual Merchandiser
Although many fashion and art & design schools offer a major in visual merchandising, a degree in the more-general fashion merchandising can lead to a career as a visual merchandiser as well. You know those luminous, magnetic window displays you are drawn to when walking around downtown? The ones that no matter how hard you fight it, you just can’t resist pressing your nose and hands against? The ones that make your eyes glaze over, drool pour out, and your imagination run wild? That would be the work of the visual merchandiser, the creative mastermind whose job is to craft the most perfect window display that will draw potential shoppers and fellow dreamers into their store.
what visual merchandisers do: create holiday displays and store displays, rearrange fixtures, move merchandise to “floor set,” dressing mannequins, selecting and organizing overall store layout, applying decals and painting
3. Fashion Buyer
To all of my Shopaholics Anonymous peope, did you know that there is a such thing as a professional shopper? The main difference between this and your typical saturday morning shopping spree is that as a fashion buyer, you are picking and choosing for the masses. The job of the fashion buyer entails choosing what will be viscously clawed over in a particular store- AKA what a store will sell. Perfect for the trend-saavy, a fashion buyer pays close attention to what is “in” at any particular moment and stocks the store with items that will not sit on the racks decaying away all season. It is a real job and a crucial one at that. A fashion buyer is at the root of the determination of success of sales, and of a store itself, and can be one a brand’s strongest weapons.
what a fashion buyer does: meet with clients (suppliers) and maintaining a good relationship, purchase fashions, constantly follow and forecast trends, constant communication with clients, order clothes and negotiate prices, travel
4. Fashion Event Coordinator
Trunk shows, fashion week, mannequin modeling, model fittings- these should all be familiar to a fashion event coordinator. Like a conductor of a classical symphony, or the ringleader of a circus, a fashion event coordinator is what holds the big show together. Although on the outside it may look simple, this position is usually responsible for making sure every little detail runs smoothly- the creative visionary. “Fashion events” can constitute for a wide variety of things, but the most-coveted is definitely fashion week. Think Kelly Cutrone of Bravo’s Kell on Earth or MTV’s The Hills. The fashion event coordinator can have a huge impact on the success or humiliation of a designer or brand.
what a fashion even coordinator does: hire models, schedule and oversee fittings, book fashion shows, coordinate seating for fashion shows and other important events, finalize clothing and accessories choices, handle the public, plan event
5. Fashion Journalist/Editor
Another career that can surprisingly be created without major in the obvious field. Nowadays with the ever-blooming popularity of blogs, it seems as though every girl and her sister wants to be a fashion editor. It seems simple- writing about fashion and deciding the who what wear of a magazine; but in my opinion, fashion editors have one of the most difficult jobs in fashion. They must prepare each issue months in advance, oversee countless articles,pictures, layouts, etc. while juggling travel, staff, fashion news, and so much more. On top of that, as if there isn’t already enough competition in the fashion world alone, the top magazines are a whole new exclusive, dog-eat-dog realm. Although it is more work than the average person can handle, the right person, with extension knowledge of fashion, an eye for journalism form and layout, and a mammoth work ethic, can rise to the level of fashion publications such as Glamour, Teen Vogue, Nylon, and maybe even one day, Vogue.
what a fashion journalist does: oversee publication, create fashion magazine or newspaper, investigate fashion, fact-check, up-to-date on trends, designers, and shows, forecast trends, attend runway shows and fashion week, build reputation, select demographics, prepare months in advance, in charge of staff, develop image
6. Fashion Merchandiser
Duh! A fashion merchandiser must have strong visuals insight, a deep understanding of textiles, an articulate tongue, and of course, creative mind. So what exactly is a fashion merchandiser anyways? A fashion designer is the person who chooses the fabrics, textiles, and coloring of a garment. This is who is in charge of the image of a line of clothing in a way, and influences manufacturing by artistically combining the elements of fashion as the final step to a piece of clothing. Fashion skills are combined with business and production to assure the success of a garment.
What a fashion merchandiser does: works closely with designer, offers fashion and textile expertise, define target market, forecasting trends, selling to stores, negotiate with vendors
7. Fashion Marketer
Not to be confused with a fashion merchandiser, although the two often go hand-in-hand. As a fashion marketer, you play a huge role in the business side of fashion. I.E. strategic marketing (the way a brand is presented and sold) and evaluation of consumer habits. Marketing is the medium between the consumer and the brand, and is a vital role in a brand’s success or failure. This position isn’t all business, however. A fashion marketer must be fashion-savvy, and have a creative eye to create a memorable and unique campaign and image for a brand.
What a fashion marketer does: create a story for a brand, present memorable image, advertise, studie buyer habits, select and maintain specific demographic, design ads, marketing strategy
Other careers:
- Boutique Owner. Or clothing store owner, but boutique sounds fancier.
- Stylist. Think Rachel Zoe, minus the “I die.”
- Costumer. Movies and concerts and runways- oh my!
- Public Relations. Kelly Cutrone, you’re my hero!
- Design Assistant. Every fashion designer’s best friend.
- Store Manager. J.Crew, Marc Jacobs, Free People- the options are endless.
- Internet retailer. Open your own store from the comfort of your laptop.
- Pattern Maker. Cut and draw, just like in kindergarden!
- Textile Testing Specialist. Testing, testing, 123.
- Many, many others.
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