QQI Level 5 Fashion Buying – one module

Portobello Institute’s QQI Level 5 Minor award in Fashion Buying and Merchandising is a popular foundation programme for those interested in the business world of fashion. This module is run over ten weeks, and once completed, you can choose to progress onto one of our many other courses in the business of fashion.

Why should I study this course?

This course is ideal if you have an interest in entering the diverse area of Fashion Buying and Merchandising. The Irish fashion retail sector has a turnover annually of 35 billion and the need for fashion buyers, merchandisers, retail managers, trend analysts and fashion planners is growing annually.

The award you will achieve upon completing this course, can form the academic basis for continuing your learning journey to a degree or if you already hold a degree, to a postgraduate certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising. This course is also an excellent choice if you are interested in adding new skills to your existing role. It is also suited to you if or you are interested in exploring a possible career change and would like to gain more insight before committing to a longer programme of study.

In this module you will learn the skills essential to understand Fashion as a business and recognise the roles and responsibilities of the people working within the fashion industry. You will learn to identify  and understand the different markets.

During this course you will learn the skills essential that underpin becoming a fashion buyer and merchandiser. This module examines the roles and relationships between retailers, buyers, manufacturers and customers.

You will learn the key characteristics, processes and terms involved in fashion merchandising including the role and impact of customer profiling. You will explore a broad range of current factors and influences which affect the fashion cycle. You will learn how to develop seasonal calendars, range plans, and financial range plans and create boards which illustrate customer profiles and/or factors which are influencing the cycle of fashion.

This module also investigates the purpose and activities of promotion in the fashion industry and you will develop a market analysis and promotional plan for a fashion retailer.

During this course you will cover the following topics;

• Examine the roles and relationships between retailers, buyers, manufacturers and customers.
• Interpret the key characteristics, processes and terms involved in fashion merchandising.
• Examine the role and impact of customer profiling.
• Explore a broad range of current factors and influences which affect the fashion cycle.
• Examine different types of retailing organisations.
• Develop organisation charts which illustrate roles and staffing within a retail store.
• Develop seasonal calendars, range plans, and financial range plans.
• Create boards which illustrate customer profiles and/or factors which are influencing the cycle of
  fashion.
• Investigate the purpose and activities of promotion in the fashion industry.
• Develop a market analysis and promotional plan for a fashion retailer.
• Analyse the importance of visual, technical and aesthetic qualities when presenting work.