How to Become a Personal Shopper in London

London is an ideal place to become a personal shopper.

From the designer label department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge to the trendy boutiques of Notting Hill to the chain outlets on Oxford Street, London is a renowned shopping haven. London's definite emphasis on fashion means it is teeming with possibilities for anyone with an interest in helping clients select a chic wardrobe, making it the ideal city to become a personal shopper. With necessary experience and some style savvy, becoming a personal shopper in London is an achievable goal for anyone with fashion ambitions.

Instructions

1. Work in retail sales at one of London's department stores, chain stores or boutiques. Starting out as a sales associate allows you to hone your customer relations skills and keep an eye on evolving trends. It also teaches you the basics of dealing with fashion merchandise, from sorting through racks of clothes to displaying accessories on a wall.

2. Attend workshops and seminars if they are offered by your employer. Networking with employees from different departments will help you become known within the company. During these events you may meet staff from the personal shopper service that most London department stores and some chain stores maintain, which may be helpful when you eventually apply for such a position.

3. Take a personal shopper course at one of London's fashion academies. Short courses, ranging from a day to two weeks, are available in the city. The courses cover color and body shape analysis, wardrobe consultations, practical shopping exercises and the importance of accessories. Attending a course shows prospective employers that you are serious about your choice to become a personal shopper.

4. Set up a fashion blog to demonstrate your styling passion and eye for trends. Help friends to shop at a variety of stores in London and document the results on your blog. Link London-based retail websites that you like and use to your blog, from large companies to smaller, niche businesses.

5. Apply to become a personal shopper after updating your resume to reflect your sales experience and interest in fashion. If the store you work for has a personal shopper service you can pick up an application form from the human resources department. If not, check the websites of retailers with a personal shopper service and download an application form or fill one out online.

References

• "The Independent": I Want Your Job: Personal Shopper
• Fashion Retail Academy: Short Courses
• StyleAware: Personal Shopping, Image Consulting and Colour
• Talking Image: Training Courses