How to Start a Career in Fashion Merchandising

Fashion merchandising is a fun career that keeps you on the pulse of the latest styles. As a fashion merchandiser, you decide how to display clothes in a store in a compelling way. You will be helping to increase the store’s profit margin while showing consumers the best way to wear and accessorize clothes, shoes and purses.

Instructions

1. Learn how to merchandise effectively by going to a school with Fashion Merchandising degree opportunities. There are many art schools that offer fashion merchandising programs. The Art Institutes is a nationwide system of schools that offer courses. Sometimes these schools also offer job placement. You can expect to learn many facets of the fashion industry including sales, inventory and design (see Resources below).

2. Learn how to merchandise effectively through apprenticeship/ work experience. You don’t have to go to school to learn about fashion merchandising. Instead, you can get a job in a clothing store and ask to help out with the displays. Learn from others who do it more often. You may also be able to find an established fashion merchandiser who allows you to take on an apprenticeship.

3. Read fashion magazines. Photographers are also fashion merchandisers, so learn from them. Look at the photos in high-end fashion magazines and think about how to utilize that approach in store displays.

4. Whether in school or working in a retail establishment that allows you to practice your craft, make sure you take pictures of your displays. Building a portfolio with images of displays you’ve done will be invaluable when trying to get a job.

5. Once you have built a resume and portfolio of samples, career and job placement agencies can help get you in the door with large retail companies in need of fashion merchandisers. You can also check the employment boards on large retailers' websites to find jobs.

6. Before meeting for an interview, become familiar with the various designers and clothing lines that the store you interview with carries. Make sure you are knowledgeable enough about the designer, line and style that store carries. Knowing which of those lines have been featured in recent magazine spreads will help tremendously.

Tips & Warnings

• Trade in unused frequent flier miles for fashion magazine subscriptions. It will save you a ton of money and keep you informed.

• You may be severely underpaid for a long while in the beginning of your career.

Resources

• The Art Institutes