Fashion Merchandiser Description
A fashion merchandiser should be thoroughly familiar with textiles and fabrics, fashion history and the cultures that inspired them. Basic accounting skills are a must. Keeping on top of the latest fashions should be a constant priority.
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Knowledge of Textiles and Fabrics
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Fashion merchandisers are often called upon to pick fabrics and textiles, which could mean anything from silk, ceramics, shells, beads, sack cloth or some obscure piece of fossilized amber from a basin somewhere in France.
Knowledge of Fashion History and Cultures
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Recognizing immediately what region of the world a piece of clothing, jewelry or furniture came from is critical to fashion merchandising. Knowing what period of history the piece is from or inspired by is just as important.
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Accounting Skills and Knowledge of Market Prices
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Often it is the fashion merchandiser who begins negotiations on the purchase of textiles and fabrics. For this reason, accounting skills plus the ability to convert weights, yardage and currencies rapidly is a must.
Keeping up on Fashion Trends
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Fashion is an ever-fluctuating seemingly living organism that can morph overnight. A fashion merchandiser needs to know trends and where they fall on the bell curve.
Love What You Do and Do What You Love
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Fashion merchandising is a great outlet for creative people who like to learn new things everyday. It's ever changing, and if it's your passion, go to school, take that first grunt job and climb your way to the top.
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References
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
