Course
The Master in Fashion Merchandising & Buying is an operative program that aims to prepare a passionate professional to work in the elusive art of buying and selling.
Know what customers want even before they do and be well-educated in fashion trends, total awareness of current industry developments and superior forecasting ability. From production processes to buying techniques and with eyes on various markets (including Chinese, Russian and American), this technical Master is one of the most trusted by professionals.
Focusing on different categories such as apparel and accessories, it integrates two main areas: Fashion Panorama; trends, brands, trade fairs and calendars, fashion shows, online and offline shops and e-commerce as well as Operative Tools; merchandising and buying techniques, retail management, fashion marketing, visual merchandising, operations, fashion styling, advertising and marketing strategy.
This intensive specialization program is run by teachers from the industry, includes international guest lecturers and features two main projects: the first focuses on a re-merchandising plan while the second concentrates on a buying plan for a multi-brand store. The final result of each assignment can be included and presented in a personal portfolio. The program is completed with field trips to first-tier production sites and cutting-edge points of sale.
Lessons amount to a total of 700 contact hours and the overall obtainment of 80 credits.
This course is completed with the possibility of an internship in a fashion company.
Mentorship
Mentors share tools, guidance, motivation and resources with students throughout their program. They play an important role in the professional lives of young students.
Bruce Pask
Men’s Fashion Director of Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus
In his current tenure since 2014, Bruce Pask has served as a fashion editor and stylist at notable fashion publications for two decades, holding fashion directorial posts at T: The New York Times Style Magazine, GQ Magazine and Cargo Magazine. His extensive styling and costume work with Annie Leibovitz has included numerous covers and celebrity features in Vanity Fair, as well as campaigns for The Sopranos and American Express. He has styled campaigns and runway shows for top clients over the years and has been a stylist/creative consultant for magazines from Fantastic Man to Hercules and Wonderland. He was also costume designer for the Broadway revivals of Design for Living and Promises, Promises.
Bruce Pask received Emmy honors for his designs for the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors television broadcast and co-costume design, along with Oscar-nominated designer Julie Weiss, the 85th and 86th Annual Academy Awards.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the course includes a range of subjects that will help students develop their skills and knowledge in the field. Some of the key topics covered include:
- Fashion Culture
- Fashion Buying
- Fashion Merchandising
- Fashion Retail
- Product & Production
Requirements
In order to be eligible for this course, you will need to be selected after the admission process.
Basic requirements are:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with motivation letter
- English language proficiency
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or professional work experience in a related field
Careers
A career as a Merchandiser or Buyer can evolve from intermediate steps and roles in E-commerce, Multi-brand and Fashion Brand environments into Retail Management. Depending on past experience and academic achievement during the program, employment placement can include contracting firms, brands, buying offices and major retailers.
