Fashion Merchandising Jobs

•  What is a fashion merchandiser

Working as a fashion merchandiser can mean many things. This is the general description of jobs related to the fashion world and that incorporates different processes in the business of clothing. Various jobs of fashion merchandising jobs include designing, producing, promoting, buying and selling products such as clothing items, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry and even accessories. Fashion merchandisers can work either for designers or for textile manufacturers or department stores. They have knowledge concerning all the aspects of textile, shoes and accessory production, in order to help clients choose products of the best quality, as well as something that’s best for them and that suits them in more than one way. Their careers are enhanced by a relevant degree which can increase their salary and possibly lead to a high paying promotion.

• Responsibilities of a fashion merchandiser

Whatever field of fashion in which a merchandiser works, his job responsibilities vary a lot. The thing they have in common is that they can often work for long hours and even during weekends. They all must have a flair for fashion and they have to be original, creative and have a great sense of imagination. Of course that working in the glamorous world of fashion offers many satisfactions, among which the joy of working with famous designers and brand names, and to always be in trend with the latest collections. Another side of fashion merchandising jobs is one represented by those who specifically work in processing textile materials and in the field of production, quality control, delivery and management of working. This may not be as rewarding as working close to popular designers, but nevertheless, it’s worth it if you’re really into fashion and want to be connected to that part of the world.

• Where does a fashion merchandiser work?

There are also fashion merchandisers who work in department stores or outlets, as less popular designers, catalogue production managers, fashion buyers and fashion display artists. The fashion buyers have to buy items that can be sold in outlets. They have to keep in touch with market demands and in the same time with the latest fashion trends. Those in charge of merchandise display and store decoration must present latest apparels and display the most interesting items together with the store’s image and name.

• Job requirements

In order to work in the fashion industry, regardless of the field, you must have certain type of training, as in this business, like in any other, there are strict educational requirements. There are many schools and universities that offer the bachelor or master’s degree you may later on need. The subjects offered by these institutions are varied, from economics of the fashion industry, history of textile or textile design and production to fashion marketing, fashion buying, retail marketing or retail management. Moreover, there also are fashion design schools that offer internship programs where interested students get to spend a limited amount of time in fashion outlets or with fashion designers in order to gain experience that is often vital in the field.

• Salaries of a fashion merchandiser

In what concerns salaries, like in all fields, they increase according to qualifications and professions. Those who earn most of the money are those who have come to executive or management levels, but who evolved from being simple assistants, designers or display artists. While the income of fashion merchandising jobs is approximately $75,000 per year, one who occupies an executive position in the fashion business could have a profit of about $140,000 annually.