THE INSIDE SCOPE – HOW I BECAME A FASHION BUYER

I know I have taken a major step back on my blog and as most you may know I work full time as a Fashion Buyer at Penneys Head Office.

That’s why I have taken it upon myself to give you all the inside scope on my job role.

I get lots of emails & texts from my fellow followers and friends asking me  ‘’How I got into buying‘’ and ‘’What course or college did I go to?’’.

So I will let you all in on my journey to becoming a Fashion Buyer.

It all started when I wanted to be a Fashion Designer. I got this passion from my Grand Mother as she was a Dress Designer for over 60 years. I used to help her when i was younger and knew this was the career path I wanted to go down. After my leaving cert exams I applied for a course in Colaiste Ide to do Fashion & Design. This was a 1 year course which gave me great exposure to pattern drafting, design, communication and life drawing etc. I loved the course but I knew there was something else I wanted from it and it also  changed my thoughts on being a designer and how competitive the current Irish fashion designer industry is so I started to think of different career paths for fashion. I did my work experience with Irish Fashion Design Aideen Bodkin and landed a job  with her. In the meantime I did another part-time course in Portobello College which was Fashion Buying, Merchandising and Visual Display. This course opened me up to the world of Buying and I knew this  was the route I wanted to go down.

I applied for a job as Trainee Buyer for Penneys back in 2008 and they were looking for more experience, so I parked the thought of it . Then an Admin role came up so I decided to go for it. I went for the interview and came out with mixed views whether I wanted the job but didn’t stress over it and then I got called back for another interview. After a few days I got a call to say that I got the job, I was so excited. I started in Ladies  Accessories and worked on for 4 years. I bought the ranges for makeup bags, belts, purses and luggage. This started with me going in as Admin then I got promoted to Trainee Buyer and then Assistant Buyer.

Being 4 years with the company I decided that I needed to travel and get it out of my system as I went straight from college into full-time employment.  I knew it was something I had to do but wanted to come back to Penneys in the future. After 2 years in Australia I decided I wanted to come back to Ireland and applied for my position again.  Within the first week of me being home I had my interview and got my job back. I started the following week in Ladies wear and couldn’t have been happier as this is the department where I had always wanted to be.

Now I am back settled over 2 years and working away on the Jersey Team and couldn’t be happier. Not a lot of girls can say they love their job and it’s not a task getting up for me in the mornings cause I actually landed my DREAM JOB!

So to all your Guys & Girls out there who want to make it as a Fashion Buyer here are a few top tips for you:

•  Do go to college for something retail related or have an aspect of this.
•  Don’t just think you have to go to college for 3 years to land a job. I did a 1 year course and a part –time course. There is always a loop hole.
•  Do have some retail experience whether is a part – time job or weekends as buying is all about the Customer.
•  Do window shop on college courses as there is so much more out there now to when I did it with DIT, Crumlin College and Colaiste Ide in Dublin.
•  Don’t just think since you like buying clothes or styling new trends this is what Buying is, as this is just the icing on the cake. There is a lot more to do role. 
• Do your research on what the actual job spec is on a Fashion Buyer and the levels of Fashion Buyer ranks within each company.
• Do an internship in the company you would like to land yourself a job whether is Penneys, Dunnes Stores, Heatons or Brown Thomas.
• Do try to keep in contact with your line manager in the company after your internship as they can inform you on upcoming roles.
  

Sneak peak at Primark SS16

Working in Primark head office does have its perks, not only being surrounded by the latest fashions but being able to attend the amazing Press Day's.

So to take that chill out of your bones this winter take a look at the hottest trends which will be hitting down next year! 

How fab are these embroidered Morrocan style jackets? You will be sure to be rught on trend with this key piece in your wardrobe

Lace ups shoes are certainly not  going anywhere this season . Venturing from sandals, heels and ballerinas you won't be able to steer clear of these.

Fifty shades of Sunglasses with these amazing mirror shades.

Watch out for this gorgeous ribbed stripe maxi, cute pinstripe pinny paired with these espadrille flatforms and stylish chevron stripe mini skirt.

Stay tuned for these amazing pieces to be dropping down into a store near you next spring. And you will be sure to turn some heads with the usual "" where did you get your top it's gorgeous ?"" ................. """ Penneys Hun, €10""

Social media like it or lump it?

We all have a guilty pleasure and weakness and we're all victims of the Social Media Frenzy taking over our lives. First thing in the morning when the alarm goes off we can't wait to check our Instagram, Facebook ,Twitter, Snapchat the list goes on. But are we real about our lives to the outside world? How does a person perceive one through just photos and status? We are coming from a generation of illusion, which is more exciting than the reality of it all. 

Speaking from experience going back to when I lived in Australia for 2 years, I loved sharing photos of  my travels and anytime I would be talking to people from home I would get "" Your living the dream"" and I did but did I publicise when I was having a bad day or take a photo of me crying while I was missing home or when I had a put on weight?? No, afraid not !!

Not only are we filtering our photos on Instagram, we are filtering our lives through Social Media, from what places we drink and eat in, to what high streets  we shop in and to what city we are currently checking into.

After the immense response from the well known blogger Essena O"Neill who had 500k followers on her Instagram and decided to inactivate her account as she didn't think it was real anymore, she went into detail how she got the perfect photo and what story was behind it. But there was also backlash involved in this as people were saying it was a hoax to get more followers etc. When having such a large audience and following as Essena not only are you beautiful, influential and aspiring we always think "How amazing does she have it ?"", ""The body on her"", ""I wish I was her!""  But the real question is do you ??

You can't always judge a book by its cover or as we do judge a Facebook profile or Insta page! But you don't really know that person ?? But in today's society we actually think we do as we are getting more of an in site  into people's 

every day lives. Those were the days when we were younger and we would wear the same outfit on a Saturday night out twice over and then your friend would ask for a lend, but those days are a distant memory. The effort us girls have to go through to sabotage a good outfit is "" don't take any photos me and upload them "".

As Beyonce's song goes " I woke up like this"" we actually didn't all wake up ""Flawless"" we woke up normal and having flaws and took us 20 selfies to get the perfect one. The immense pressure we are under to show society how perfect we are or our lives are but we are all human and aren't all perfect but are beautiful in our own way so don't be afraid to take that non make up selfie or put up a inspirational quote when you are feeling down cause it ok 😘

Keep it Poolside?

Well it's officially summertime this weekend so those toes can officially go on show.

Since sandals aren't going anywhere they are not only getting chunkier and fuglier. But I just can't resist the newest trend Birkenstocks & Pool sliders. 

Now I know they are not everyone's cup of tea but for the fashion girl or the girl who is daring enough they are a definite summer purchase. With such an array of  amazing styles out on the high street and whether you want to go for a sporty sandal or something with a bit of bling they have it covered.

Birkenstocks - by Senso

Zara 

Zara

Topshop unique, Asos, Isabel Marrant

River island 

Zara, Topshop Unique and Asos

Nike

And since Celine to Zara and even Primark/Penneys have covered this trend for as little as €5 so you can be sure not to resist :)

Penneys

Put a bit of spring in your step...

So the spring time weather has officially begun. The sun is out which means fake tan, legs on show and sunglasses galore. 

But for some of us fashionistas even though the sun is finally here there is still a nip in the air which causes for a spring coat. And with all the amazing pastel colours on trend it's so hard not to give into temptation with adding a new addition to your wardrobe.

Some new styles which are trending our high street include the collarless coat which has a 60's twist to it, the mac/trench coat and the notorious Asos duster coat as seen on Kylie Jenner herself and yes, of course I had to buy it aswell.

Asos - Duster Coat

Asos

Asos 

Never fully dressed

Warehouse - Draped trench coat 

Zara

Zara

Zara

Zara

Zara

Asos

Who said track suits were just a chav thing?

Well I'm finally back to the blogging grindstone and soon as I set my eyes on the Adidas and Topshop collaboration it was a definite blog must!

Topshop and Adidas Originals' first capsule collection launches next Thursday, March 20.  That means don't go too, too crazy stacking up your wardrobe with all the summer and holiday essentials because if your anything of a fashionista you will know the sports luxe trend ain't going anywhere it's only getting bigger and better. 

While it's not to pricey and so on trend you will be sure to get your money's worth for the season since Chanel kept the sporty standards soaring with those amazing trainers .

And finally see whats on my wish list....