Research fashion, lifestyle and design to provide input to the seasonal trend documents providing direction and support to the merchant buying decisions
Role:
Post Mortem and Current Trade Insight
- Build a clear understanding of merchant post mortem results for previous season and provide input to Trend Post Mortem presentation
- Maintain understanding of current trade and retail assortment and assess all seasonal trend information from all key resources within timelines.
- Engage with Buying Teams to analyse seasonal department history.
Seasonal Trend Reporting and Briefing
- Document and file all trend service information both physically and digitally (on server).
- Research & collate seasonal trend documents for a specific area e.g.: Ladies-wear.
- Collect and collate images for seasonal themes that are relevant and commercial for the business, ensure clarity on interpretation is provided
- Prepare trend AV presentations e.g: trend themes, print and fabric direction
- Compile seasonal trend documents, starting point to work from is the seasonal top line document done by Trend Exec as well as additional trend research.
- Analyse the complete season (runways and trade shows) to determine which items, categories, colours, print and fabrics are relevant for the season
- Collate brand seasonal trend documents , reflecting relevant themes, colours, key items, categories and test item suggestions
- Ensure final trend presentation includes print and fabric direction that is brand relevant
- Provide theme & colour direction per season, and collaborate with buyers to establish these within a season.
- Collaborate with buying and resource teams on seasonal test colours which should be lab dipped, tested and sampled in advance.
- Provide print trend forecasting and a seasonal print catalogue to buyers.
- Create short trend updates continuously for the buying department on current season research that would be beneficial knowledge for reacting to in season trade and product updates, e.g catwalk round up reports, street fashion, retailer confirmations of trends / items called
Research and Travel
- Travel locally & internationally providing trend input on current seasonal buy & looking for directional items to test for upcoming seasons.
- Prepare & present overseas feedback reports which encompass product feedback, trend / product newness based on research, feedback to marketing and VM teams any relevant newness seen overseas that the business should consider
- Ensure samples purchased on overseas trips are aligned with product and trend strategy.
- Maintain up to date understanding of current trade, local & international competitors.
- Prepare and present overseas feedback samples and reports which encompass key colours, categories and uniforms and complete Sample Registers.
- On international trips with buying teams ensure sample buying, range building and research done collaboratively
Assorting and Sub Categories
- Develop seasonal colour palettes and create visual colour map mood boards
- Analyse previous season’s performance by subcategory, with buying team and samples, gaining clear understanding of past season’s performance
- Prepare recommendations, substantiating shifts in sub cats in relation to seasonal trends, and present to Buying Mangers and Retail Executives
The key requirements:
- An eye for ladies fashion
- A degree or diploma in fashion design / clothing management
- 2-4 years of experience within the fashion industry ideally in trend forecasting or clothing design
Who we are
Mr Price Group is a high growth, omnichannel, fashion-value retailer with 6 trading divisions, namely: mrp ; mrphome; mrpsport; MILADYS; sheet street and mrpmoney.
We’re movers and shakers.
We pride ourselves on our fast-moving, fast-working and collaborative culture. Our extensive market-leading retail knowledge means that our environment fosters creativity, curiosity, and a need for exploration.
We employ over 16000 incredible people, and retail in over 1000 South African based stores, almost 100 international stores, and through our online channels offering our full product assortments.
Mr Price Group is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to Employment Equity.