Alex Smith

Female

London

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

Profession / role:
Ethical fashion buying and business consultant and tutor
My primary role in relation to fashion is:
Tutor, Consultant
I am looking to discover or buy
consultancy for small and large business teaching roles , combining my experience knowledge and passions.
About me / About business or organisation:
I'm a freelance ethical fashion and business consultant and tutor, member of the EFF consultancy pool for small and large businesses, passionate about Ethical Fashion, sourcing and sustainable Retailing with 19 years experience in the Fashion Retail industry ,16 years are at Buyer Level or above accross numerous product catergories & souricing hubs within Blue Chip Retail organsations.

Most recently, my position at Oxfam Boutiques has enabled me to apply my Multiple retailing career experience & knowledge with the best practices in Ethical sourcing and Buying to enable a charity to retail sustainable clothing and accessories.

I have a passionate interest in in helping undeveloped communities through training & mentoring & experience to developing their own businesses skills and trade routes giving access market places.

I've just returned from a working break to Uganda , Africa where I trained 2 separate groups of people to learn to make Jewellery, source componenets, & carry out market research & costings . We then developed ranges together which I critiqued for design, qualitity and market positioning. 1 group has used these ideas to represent Uganda in a trade fair in Brazil.

I also worked worked with a group of weaving ladies to develop product, quality levels, market understanding and business skills for local & national tourist markets, finding potential orders for them to produce with local and national craft shops. I hope to return in November with sponsorship to continue with all 3 groups I have started working with.
Career history / Company history:
Freelance consultancy work and tutoring.

Buying Manager, Oxfam Boutiques - All New or restyled /Remade Products in store. June 2008 - April 2009.

Senior Buyer , The Walt Disney Company- August 2007- May 2008.

Senior Buyer ,Oasis Stores Ltd - June 2006- March 2007.

Buyer , River Island Clothing Company -1996-2006.

Buyers Clerk through to Buyer, Tammy Girl, Etam PLC-1990-1995.

Comment Wall:

  • David McGill

    Hi Alex thanks for your help yesterday. I think it may be uselful if you had a look at www.worldwomentradefair.com. They help craftworkers to exhibit and market worldwide.
  • Ishwari Vijay Thopte

    Hi Alex!

    Im a Fashion Designer by profession and i plan to do my Masters in "Design Management for Fashion Industries" from London College of Fashion this fall. Your work background is quite colorful and interesting!
    My research will mainly be in Ethical Fashion and Sustainable business practices. I was hoping to build contacts here. Can we be friends?
  • paul yuille

    Hey Alex - did you get the message about the teaching thing in India? Paul