What do fashion buyers do? How do they think? What does forecasting trends or planning a range actually entail? How can they shape the future of fashion?

Featuring new interviews and analysis of the most up-to-date industry figures and trends, this 3rd edition has all you need to get up-to-speed on the people, processes and practicalities of buying in the fashion industry today.

Illustrated with colour diagrams and fashion photographs, five to-the-point chapters break down the key areas of fashion buying: the role of the buyer; buying inspiration; suppliers and sourcing; range and merchandise planning; and current industry trends. Tips, summaries, questions and activities help you apply your knowledge throughout the book.

All-new case studies and interviews put each chapter into professional context, giving an insight into the leaders in the global fashion trade. You’ll also find new coverage of the changing retail landscape, as well as additional coverage of pricing and costing supported with in-depth exercises. The book concludes by looking to future trends, including sustainability, social media and AI, fashion technology and digital fashion.

Bringing together the authors’ more than 40 years’ combined industry experience, this introduction is ideal for students of fashion design, marketing, buying and management ready to shape the future of fashion.