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DEFENITIONS

A fashion designer creates designs that reflect consumer attitudes and needs. They give expression to artistic ideas. Their designs must be produced at a profit and within the firm’s predetermined wholesale price range. They also have to know or research the cost of materials, the image that the firm wants to maintain, production techniques, and labor costs. High-fashion designers are responsible for a full range of decisions of a fashion house. They design ready-to-wear lines as well as custom designs, and many licenses for accessories, cosmetics, fragrances, and home fashions. Stylist-designers work for manufacturers and adapt their designs of other name designers. They create these generally with less expensive materials so they can sell them at a lower price. Finally freelance designers sell their sketches of their original designers adaptations to manufacturers. They are not involved in the selection of fabrics and colors.

A Buyer is responsible for scouting trends, negotiating with suppliers, exercising teamwork. When scouting trends they research trends to predict which products will be popular. Seasoned buyers have the opportunity to travel the world researching designers and their collections. Less seasoned buyers go to clothing suppliers, trade shows and local stores. When negotiating they talk to the garment suppliers. They choose the best clothing in accordance with the consumers needs. They foresee what the customers will buy and how much they will play.

A product development manager is a problem solver who figures out the most effective way of mass-production of a number of apparel. They watch international trade activity, sighting new products and suppliers. They also manage, develop, and fulfill the necessary activities to grow sales. They must identify new apparel and follow up on suppliers

and vendors. Doing this will help with tactical records for their boss.