Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising

Author: Elisabeth Mac Hale

This podcast "Thrive in Fashion" is your ultimate guide to navigating the dynamic world of FASHION BUYING & MERCHANDISING. Hosted by Elisabeth Mac Hale, a seasoned fashion buyer and industry consultant, this podcast is designed for aspiring buyers, fashion graduates & boutique owners, passionate about the fashion business. Each episode explores different aspects of fashion buying, from trend analysis and product development to retail strategy. Elisabeth shares her wealth of experience, offering practical insights and industry tips, to help you build a successful career in fashion buying.
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Language: en-gb

Genres: Arts, Fashion & Beauty

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From Good Eye to Business Brain: How to Build Commercial Credibility in Fashion Buying
Episode 38
Wednesday, 4 February, 2026

If you think fashion buying success is about having a "good eye"? Think again. After 25 years in the industry, managing over $120 million in annual budgets and hiring more than 100 fashion buyers, Elisabeth Mac Hale reveals why the buyers who get promoted are the ones who master commercial thinking.In this episode, you'll discover: • Why "good taste" actually holds back buying careers • The 4 critical lessons every buyer needs to learn about building credibility • How to shift from aesthetic thinking to strategic business thinking• Practical steps to prove your commercial impact (not just product selection skills) • Real examples of how to evaluate products through both creative AND commercial lensesWhether you're a buying assistant wanting promotion or a junior buyer ready to step up, this episode challenges everything you think you know about building a successful buying career.Key Takeaways: ✓ Commercial skills beat creative instincts every time ✓ Document your wins—prove impact, not just effort✓ Learn to separate useful feedback from noise ✓ Promotion-readiness = skills demonstrated consistently over time ✓ Your personal taste is the starting point, not the endpointReady to transform from someone with good taste to a strategic business contributor? Learn more about the Thrive in Fashion course https://designdirectiveme.com/online-fashion-buying-courseTake the Fashion Buyer Skills Quizhttps://learn.designdirectiveme.com/fashion-buyer-ready-quiz#fashion buying, #merchandising, #career development, #commercial skills, #fashion business, #retail buying, #fashion industry