When you think of fashion, you probably think of runways in cities like Paris, New York, in Tokyo. But in truth, fashion shows are only the most conspicuous manifestation of this huge industry. The true fashion world comprises so much more than occasional shows here and there. Aspects like distribution, inventory, marketing, public relations, shipping, manufacturing, and a host of other areas are the cogs that allow the whole industry to stay afloat.
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When you think of fashion, you probably think of runways in cities like Paris, New York, in Tokyo. But in truth, fashion shows are only the most conspicuous manifestation of this huge industry. The true fashion world comprises so much more than occasional shows here and there. Aspects like distribution, inventory, marketing, public relations, shipping, manufacturing, and a host of other areas are the cogs that allow the whole industry to stay afloat.
Fashion Merchandising Defined
Quite possibly the most important aspect of the fashion industry is the merchandising portion. Without a steady stream of buyers, no fashion designer would be able to stay in business for very long. So it's imperative that fashion merchandisers manage to get new ideas to retail as quickly and as efficiently as possible. This is basically what fashion merchandising is.
Sounds Easy Enough Right?
Although fashion merchandising might sound easy on the surface, it is an extremely complicated and risky business that requires tremendous business acumen, a strong fashion sense, outstanding organizational skills, and terrific networking skills. After all, you're trying to move a product that has been tested (kind of) and convince consumers around the world to purchase it. You have to coordinate with distribution, various markets around the world, inventory and factories, retailers, wholesalers, local governments, and many other parties.
What type or pricing should you have for your product? Should that pricing be the same for all locations? Is a particular region already saturated with a similar design? These are the types of questions you face as a fashion merchandiser. If you cannot answer them right now, then you probably need to go to fashion merchandising school.
What Will Fashion Merchandising School Teach Me?
Fashion merchandising school exposes you to all of the above areas plus so much more. In essence, you'll learn the business side of the fashion industry in and out. You'll master everything from accounting to marketing to inventory to distribution to manufacturing to retail to wholesale.
2007-01-29
