BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising (Full Time)

This dynamic course combines creative flair, business acumen and management skills for the fast paced, developing fashion industry. The modules are taught by current and ex-industry experts with an emphasis on future career development and real-world fashion industry knowledge.

The important skills of the fashion buyer and/or merchandiser play a key role in the success of retail and multi-channel fashion businesses. We place emphasis on developing key areas of knowledge required by the fashion industry.

Students learn to understand and develop the skills required for operating in response to the fashion buying cycle; reviewing past performance and utilising creative skills for product development. They will understand garment sourcing, brand development, supply chain management and trading figures, and develop the ability to understand different fashion business formats and consumer groups. Underpinning fashion communication skills also encourage an understanding of how to successfully sell fashion products.

Industrial focus

The Solent Fashion School works closely with industry, inviting guest speakers on a regular basis to discuss their own experiences and to provide advice and guidance on how students can develop their own career pathways.

Past speakers have included Caryn Franklyn, WGSN, Next, All Saints and Hobbs. The Fashion School also has formal partnerships with Fat Face, T. M. Lewin, Mudpie, MRA Architects and IBM Innovation Centre.

Course content

Year 1

• Introduction to Fashion Buying
• Supply Chain and Project Management
• Multi-Channel Commerce for the Fashion Industry
• Visual Merchandising for Fashion and the Retail Environment.

Year 2

• Product Development
• International Fashion Communications
• HR in Fashion and Buying and the Law
• International Buying Strategies
• Ethical Issues.

Year 3

• Innovation and Technology and International Strategic Business Practice
• Sustainability for the Fashion Industry
• Final Major Project.

Assessment

Individual projects, presentations, group projects, final-year project and live projects.

Key skills

Passion for product, trend awareness, creativity, dynamism, flexibility, organisation skills, analytical, communication and presentation skills, project management.

Projects/work experience

Past work experience placements have included All Saints, River Island, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Sweaty Betty, and Burberry.

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Why Solent is special

• Focus on employability
• Live projects in conjunction with industry partners
• Development of first-hand commercial awareness
• Exciting learning environment
• Excellent facilities.