I be buying…

brittiquebuy.jpg

I placed this post under the category of ‘The Art of Shopping’ but me shopping away to my own personal fancies and desires is a completely kettle of fish from BUYING for a boutique.  This is the sort of shopping that makes or breaks designers financially, the Business of Fashion (recent commentary on LFW is heavily interesting stuff…) that I previously hadn’t a clue about and now realise, we can’t all sigh and think complimenting how pretty a dress is, is going to keep a designer in business.  Some of you may have twigged that for AW08-9, I will be the guest-buyer for Brittique.com because Nicole, the owner has just given birth to a lovely baby boy and is all the way in New York. 

So in her *ahem* good faith in my good taste, I have been given the task of picking out pieces for the upcoming season that may not necessarily be to my own whimsical fancy but have to sell.  A daunting task indeed and professional buyers will smirk at my lack of experience and immaturity for sure.  However, as much as I have a particular, niche, personal taste, I do feel that I have a rough idea of what the general public demands and in any case, Brittique isn’t for any gal but mostly gals with tastes similar to mine and a penchant for British-based labels.  So I have and will be at buying appointments for the following… and a few more if I wheedle to Nicole about it (afterall, it is she with the buying budget…).

h Chalayan, Camilla Staerk, Peter Jensen, Louise Amstrup, Hannah Marshall, Emma Cook

Brittiquebuy 

I’m trying not to treat this in  the same way I play Monopoly, which is buying up the whole streets and smacking houses and hotels down pronto, and shall keep my head firmly on my shoulders.  I shall however probably make myself sick though when the stuff I pick out goes on sales, nervous to see whether anything has been sold and whether I made the right choices.  I hear designers love logging into some sort of Net a Porter sales barometer to see whether their stuff is selling well so I might be obsessively checking too….   

20 comments

  1. do try and nab a discount code for readers! hehe. couldn’t think of a more perfect person, enjoy the experience!

  4. Hmmm…you sound loaded Susie! Wish I were too.:) Anyway, The Hannah Marshall one will look fab on you!
    Besos!

  5. Make sure you buy loads of Camilla Staerk shoes! The buckle ones I bought a few seasons ago are the best shoes ever! I cannot wait to see your choices. The credit card might come out to play too! x

  7. another project, be sure to take care of your health susie, we don’t want you burning out!
    this sounds really exciting though, and i think you’re great for the job. really happy for you! 😀

  10. Congratulations, it is an honour that you have been chosen.
    You mentioned in your post that not only does this kind of thing make or break a designer, I am sure you realise, it can also make or break the business, as I know to my cost. Good Luck darling, you deserve all your success xx

  13. Do post all about the experience – I would love to be a buyer!!!

  14. Oooooh, the envy! But it’s the good type,the “wish I could do that!” type. Definitely best of luck, don’t get too overloaded. Because while I know it’s a great opportunity, it can be nerve-wracking…reminds me of when I was a producer of events for a magazine…

  15. Sometimes I do wonder just which essential bodily function you gave up on so you can do all this (please do take care of yourself, we don’t want you getting sick again)…but I’m still excited to see what you end up getting for Brittique!

  16. Congratulations!! I hope you can bring in some hard to find labels like Miki Fukai. Good luck with everything.

  18. Susie, glad to see you support Louise Amstrup. I saw part of her F/W 08.09 collection.. I have nothing but raves for it..It’s absolutely gorgeous! So save some money for that 😉

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