during her 4-year long career. She said that she “monitors the market” waiting for shifts in styles so she can “react quickly”. Loren went on to discuss the drawbacks of working within the old department store model, especially in the north. She explained that “it is very difficult to stand out in the current environment. As mentioned before, the price matching activity is something that needs to be constantly observed, to make sure we are in line with our competitors in the market, but that isn’t always easy. Competitors may have a bigger buying power (such as John Lewis) as they are buying more volume so can negotiate better prices, meaning if they offer a discount, it will not affect their margin so much”. If you are someone who looks for job certainty, fashion retail (in particular within department stores) may not be for you. The recent decline of the likes of Debenhams and House of Fraser show how volatile the market is, and how many household names are not managing to stay afloat. Emma refers to this too, stating the importance of ecommerce experience to survive the volatile retail environment.
BY
Do you have what it takes to work in the fashion industry?
I finished both interviews by asking for advice to share and asked both what they would like to do next in their careers. Emma spoke
passionately about her inspirations, explaining “my children give me the drive to succeed. My yoga keeps me grounded and calm. My love for all things beautiful keeps me going and my team give me the motivation to do a great job. Finally, and most importantly my Father taught me I could do anything and to have no fear, be brave and never give up”. Emma then enlightened me about her plans to open a holistic retreat by the seaside in around 10 years’ time. Loren’s answer was different, her advice was buying rooted, saying that you should “always listen to your gut feeling when looking at product! It is important to think about the commerciality of a product or range but listen to your intuition as well!”. Both women made it very clear, working within fashion especially at such uncertain times isn’t easy, but it is hugely rewarding. If you are willing to put your heart and soul into your work, be kind and make positive connections, you should be just fine. Negotiation and commercial awareness are vital to succeed, and you must have power in your own convictions. If you have a strong eye for trends or an analytical mindset, fashion may be the career for you. Commit wholeheartedly and enjoy, it sounds like it’ll be an incredible journey.
INTERVIEWEES:
Many of us are expected to decide what career we would like to pursue at the age of 18, but how can we possibly know the answer to that question at such a young age? Choosing the right role and sector isn’t a simple decision, there are often numerous factors to consider.
bravely then made the decision to pursue a buying role to focus on a love for garments and textiles. Being a buyer for a smaller retailer in the north gives a unique insight into the world of fashion, and how it varies between the big players and smaller department stores.
The fashion industry is notorious for office politics, comparisons and rivalries, so what is it actually like to work in fashion? I interviewed two successful women who experience the industry on a day to day basis. Let me introduce the interviewees, firstly there is Emma Alexander who has been in the industry since graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1997. Emma is a successful director, managing a wealth of staff and making very high-risk decisions daily. Emma works for one of the largest online fashion and lifestyle retailers in the UK. She has climbed the career ladder over a 20-year period from a buyer’s admin assistant to director, meaning there is no better person to give an insight into life within fashion, regardless of role.
Both women are unarguably impressive in their own right, with both oozing confidence and self-belief. When asked who she owes her successes to, Emma simply said “Me... I worked hard and showed massive drive and ambition from an incredibly young age”. Loren discussed how her personal skills are vital to her role, explaining that “communication and negotiation” are vital to gaining a “symbiotic relationship”. When I asked them both about their experiences working for different companies, they both said that networking is important as “you never know when you might need a favour!”.
By contrast, I also interviewed Loren Maclean, a buyer of women’s accessories, jewellery, footwear and intimates for Oldrids & Co Ltd. Loren is in the infancy of her career, having graduated with a marketing degree from Leeds Beckett University 4 years ago. Loren Spoiled Nation 2019-2020
“Always listen to your gut feeling when looking at product!”
Loren Maclean - Fashion Buyer
I went on to ask Emma what advice she would give her 20-year-old self, and I was shocked by her response. She declared “To be a lawyer (maybe)! Fashion is a tough industry and it’s evolving fast. I would suggest focusing on digital experience every time”. This proves that to survive life in fashion, you need to react quickly and be thick skinned. Loren hints at this, describing how the role of the buyer has changed
PHOTO CREDITS: ALEXANDRA MARIA AND ARTEM BELIAIKIN FOR PEXELS
Emma Alexander - Fashion Director
Spoiled Nation 2019-2020