Overview
The fashion buyer selects the products (clothing, accessories, footwear) that will make up the commercial offering of a brand, a store or an online platform. They are responsible for the coherence of the range and for keeping to the allocated budget, without ever compromising on quality.
What is a fashion buyer?
A true globetrotter, they source suppliers all over the world, select fabrics and products, and negotiate the best purchasing terms, taking cost, quality and lead times into account.
What does a fashion buyer do?
Analysing the company's needs and defining a purchasing strategy in line with the brand's positioning.
Keeping a constant watch on trends, innovative materials and new designers in order to anticipate consumer expectations.
Sourcing suppliers, selecting products and negotiating prices, quality and delivery times.
Travelling to trade shows and factories to meet manufacturers and check the quality of samples.
Following up orders and managing supplier relationships through to delivery of the products.
What skills do you need to become a fashion buyer?
Several skills are essential to succeed in this profession:
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Curiosity and constant monitoring of textile trends and innovations
- An international view of market supply and demand
- Confidence in dealing with people from many different cultures
- Fluency in English and ideally in another foreign language
- Rigour in monitoring budgets and deadlines
- Analytical skills to make the most of sales and market data
- Availability for frequent travel abroad
- Knowledge of materials, manufacturing techniques and quality standards
What career prospects are there for a fashion buyer?
The fashion and luxury sector offers excellent career prospects for buyers, particularly within the major fashion houses and international retail groups.
With experience, you can move up to a purchasing manager role, specialise in a product category or take charge of international purchasing.
In the longer term, this career can lead to positions as purchasing director or collection director. In terms of pay, a junior fashion buyer earns between €2,200 and €2,800 gross per month, a salary that can reach €4,000 to €6,000 with experience, particularly in the luxury sector and internationally.
How do you become a fashion buyer?
The role of fashion buyer is open to graduates with a Bachelor's to Master's level qualification in international trade or purchasing, or from a school specialising in fashion and luxury.
A dual skill set in products and negotiation is essential: a command of materials and trends on the one hand, purchasing techniques and budget management on the other.
Initial experience on a work-study programme or an internship, particularly as a purchasing assistant or on international assignments, is often the way into this role.
