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:

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  • CLOUDIA

    Hi Alex. I had to dash off, I was exhibiting at New Designers at the business design center and was up for a design award and they called me, so I had to leave, didn't make
    it to the Brazil event last night as it wasn't relevant to me,but looking forward to the Africa one,was it good the event? ah yes am still sourcing...

    Jul 22, 2009

  • Mia Nisbet

    Hi Alex.. yeah it was a great day.. hopefully see you tomor at some point x

    Aug 2, 2009

  • Nicola Thornley

    Hi Alex. I'm planning a trip around Africa later this year to meet and work with ethical suppliers/projects as a sort of fact-finding mission before I eventually set-up my own business. I can see you've worked for a few development projects over there - do you know of anyone who would appreciate some help while I am out there, and/or any great projects/suppliers that are worth dropping into? Thanks! nicola.

    Apr 5, 2010