The fashion business is an exciting and fast-paced industry to work in.
According to Fashion United, there are just under 40,000 people employed in fashion in Ireland, both in retail sales and manufacturing.
Statista estimates that revenue generated by the online sales of apparel, footwear, and accessories in 2022 will reach over €2 billion in Ireland.
This figure could increase by 50% by 2025 according to some projections.Like many industries, fashion is booming both online and in brick-and-mortar stores after a difficult two years. As the world emerges from the pandemic, now is an exciting time as ever to progress your knowledge and career in the business of fashion.
It is a competitive industry and those wishing to succeed must be able to set themselves apart. One way to do that is to upskill with a higher qualification such as a degree or Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) in Fashion Management.
Some of the career opportunities available to you when you hold a Postgraduate Certificate (PGC) in Fashion Management include:
- Supply chain manager
- Senior fashion buyer
- Finance manager
- Strategic manager
Let’s take a look at these roles in more detail.
Supply Chain Manager
The supply chain is the backbone of the fashion industry. From ideation to production to distribution, having a healthy supply chain is a must for any fashion brand or retailer. While doing a PGC in Fashion Management, you will study exactly how a supply chain is constructed and managed from the production line to the retail and online stores where pieces are sold. You will also study the factors, both internal and external, that can have an effect on the supply chain. Upon completion of the PGC, you will be fully equipped to oversee the supply chain for top brands around the world, ensuring that it is run efficiently and effectively to deliver a portfolio of pieces to buyers both public and private.
Fashion Buyer
Fashion buyers are what keep the fashion world ticking over, keeping an eye on local and global fashion trends to make sure their company is up to date with what consumers want. During a PGC in Fashion Management, you will be taught about consumer behaviour trends, ultimately being able to spot what pieces are coming into fashion long before they do. You will not only learn about the how when it comes to fashion trends, but also the why, allowing you to spot future trends well ahead of time, ensuring your company stays one step ahead of the competition.
Finance Manager
As with any industry, much of what you are able to achieve is dependent on the finances that you have at your disposal. As such, there is an opportunity cost when it comes to decision-making in the fashion industry. Any decision made is always done so with the costs in mind and the projected value associated with the decision that’s made. A PGC in Fashion Management will foster the knowledge and understanding of financial aspects of the global fashion industry. You will learn to evaluate the financial efficacy of investing in certain trends as well as look at where a fashion business can cut costs while remaining operational in an effective manner. With this qualification, you will be qualified to make tough financial decisions for a business that will directly impact revenue generation.
Strategic Management
Central to any successful business is having effective short- and long-term strategies for success and growth. Fashion companies require sharp strategic minds that can plan ahead, taking into account a wide variety of internal and external factors that can have an impact on operations. A PGC in Fashion Management will teach you strategic management theories, frameworks, and models to develop your strategic and analytical thinking skills and promote their application to set, evaluate or adapt organisational strategies in response to external and internal factors in the context of the fashion industry. You will broaden your appreciation of current developments in fashion retailing and explore the environment and the drivers of change in the sector while being encouraged to reflect on the influence of the organisational values, culture and vision on strategic decision-making.
Learn More
If you are interested in any other areas of fashion business, check out our business of fashion department here.
You can hear from our past students’ experiences by going to the Success Stories section of our website.
Get in Contact
If you are interested in any of our Business of Fashion degrees or qualifications you can book a consultation call with our expert advisor Sarah Coyne here, email sarah.coyne@portobelloinstitute.com or call 01 892 0028.
