Profession / role:

Fashion Buyer

Company / organisation:

M&Co

My primary role in relation to fashion is:

Buyer

I am looking to discover or buy

Ethical fashion buying job

About me / About business or organisation:

I would like to introduce myself, my name is Louise Phipps age 26 from Ireland , living in London and I am a great admire of your website. I have been looking for a website similar to this for some time, a station which is a hub of information on ethical fashion. I have always had such a big interest in vintage fashion and have come to realise that all the clothes I love are either vintage or very well made. Fast fashion is just so pointless, even though it may seem cheaper it cost so much in the long run and the price is paid in so many different ways. This has really come apparent to me working in my current job.


I am working for a company that does try to be ethical but is really not puting enough effort into it like so many other places. It is really interesting learning all the companies operational strategies but it really does make me realise how much working for an ethical fashion company is important to me.

I love fashion and so does so many people but there is ways to make ethical fashion more accessible and that is why your website is so interesting. The mas consumerism of our society can not last so people are going to have to look to more ethical ways of producing in order to keep the industry going

I see this industry as exciting and dynamic and I really want to be apart of it in any way I can. I have started my career as a buyer and I would love to develop myself as an ethical fashion buyer if possible. I would love to be part of a company whom is passionate about this.

I think the best way to explore this industry is to ask as many people as possible for advise so any knowledge you have would be much appreciated.

Career history / Company history:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2011- Present M&Co, 20 Conduit Place, Paddington
Buyers administrative assistant – Girlswear Dept.

The company oversees the entire lifecycle of all of their products, from concept to design to the finished product.

• Responsible for the organisation of all clothing samples, ensuring that a good line of communication remains open with colleagues regarding these samples and building a reputable relationship with suppliers
• Critical path management: involves coordinating the complete production schedule of approximetely 20 suppliers and ensuring information is translated through the correct channels
• Coordinate fitting sessions with buyers and being aware of all safety aspects.
• Support assistant buyer with fitting every single garment at least two times before we can approve it for production
• Manage samples for photoshoots, press shots and for meetings
• Take record of orders and update on the system before they get sent to the suppliers
• Assist buyer source prices for samples and build up a number of competing prices and analysing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends
• Approve all samples, ( colour samples, print samples, fabric qualities) be commercial and make some decisions which will save time but also include her enough so that she knows what is being approved so that end garment will be how she has envisioned it







May 2011- July 2011 Chica, Westbury mall Dublin.
Sales Associate in Chica Dublin

• Responsible for the running of the shop and the organisation of stock
• Responsible for customer sales and organising the shipment of online sales
• Ensuring a high level of customer service is maintained
• Assisting in the organisation of special in-store events
• Taking an active part in the visual merchandising of the store
• Retaining a professional and open relationship with fellow staff members


Jan 2011- Mar 2011 Gadabout Vintage, Toronto, O.N., Canada
Sales Associate

• Assisted in the overseeing and running of a busy shop
• Responsible for, customer sales and the organisation of stock
• Provided a high level of customer service
• Assisting in the organisation of specialist Vintage markets
• Responsible for the location of stock and making sure it was recorded correctly
• Ensuring a high standard of cleanliness is maintained in store


Nov 2010 -Dec 2010 Joanne Hynes, Dublin.
Internship

• Photographed apparel and accessories for the Joanne Hynes website

Oct 2010 – Nov 2010 The Dublin Festival Of Fashion, Dublin.
Site Volunteer

• Assisted with the selection of items for the fashion show and general organisation
• Maintaining a high level of coordination and communication


June 2010 - Aug 2010 Base London Ltd, Essex
Buying Internship

• Buying Administrative duties
• Allocation of stock using the Base London in house system
• Develop the weekly bulletin highlighting the best and worst sellers
• Updating the Base London website with merchandising and pricing
• Preparing products for meetings
• Preparing samples for shipping, photographing stock for the website
• Provided Buyers and Buyers assistants with help when needed