Fashion buying requires a strong commercial and analytical foundation. The course is designed to provide students with and appreciation of the creative fashion drivers needed to be a successful fashion buyer, such as the ability to pick out and identify trends, as well as a solid understanding of the business acumen required for the products they buy to be a commercial success. The strong textile science underpinning of the programme will offer students a unique understanding as to the technical performance and construction of the garments. The programme also provides an emphasis on the numerical and data analysis, skills and knowledge essential to fashion buying. The role of the fashion buyer in a multi-functional team within the business is also emphasised, for example the way in which the buyer interacts with marketers to understand consumer demand, as well as merchandisers to facilitate the flow of stock in the most profitable way. The changing nature of the supply chain, in terms of the speed to market and continual buying cycles is introduced, including fast fashion and seasonal buying strategies. Students who graduate from this programme would be ideally equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for a fashion buying or mechanising role.

Department of Materials