A career in fashion doesn't always take place on the runway as a model or as a designer for a major fashion house. There are numerous elements in the field of fashion, and marketing and merchandising are among them. While at times these majors goes hand in hand, depending on your career aspirations, you can separate the two. Gain a clear understanding of these career choices and the subcategories of jobs that accompany them to know what direction you want to take.
Department Store Buyer
A career in fashion merchandising can turn into a buyer position for a department store. This position may consist of choosing garments to sell in the store each season. Skills required for this position include an eye for trends that will sell, depending on the market in which the store is located, as well as clear customer service and organizational skills. Buyers must be able to communicate effectively with designers and possess the creative skills to understand quality garments.
Retail Manager
A retail manager is responsible for overseeing the entire store environment, from the buying process to employee management and everything in between. A fashion merchandising degree comes in handy for a retail management career because education includes learning the fashion market, leadership ability, business management skills and incorporate a higher level of energy into your store.
Designer Public Relations
Fashion marketing teaches you effectively market fashion products. A public relations professional for a designer gives you the opportunity to alert the press to new designs, set up showcases in which to display designs to prospective clients and set up interviews for the designer. You also work on placement for the design in fashion magazines.
Fashion Magazine Editor
Working for a fashion magazine is more than just glitz and glamor; it can be a lot of work. Your job responsibilities include determination of editorial direction, conceptualizing photo shoots and generating the fashion theme for each issue. You may also do some writing yourself and oversee other departments, including advertising and distribution, depending on the size and type of magazine.
Tags: career fashion, fashion merchandising