Live4Fashion: Fabulous Friday Fashionistas: Ackermans Buyers

Friday, February 18, 2011

Fabulous Friday Fashionistas: Ackermans Buyers

Kim Oldfield Tango Ladieswear Buyer,

Jackie Hawtrey Tango Lingerie Buyer &

Lezell Peter Homeware Buyer

I recently had lunch at Cafe Neo in Mouille Point with 3 very interesting and ridiculously fun Buyers from Ackermans. We covered just about every topic under the sun in the first 2 hours and then it was time to chat about what they do.

Kim, Jackie and Lezell are exceptionally passionate about their careers and you realise this when you start discussing the fashion industry. Passion, patience and persistence are definitely MUST HAVE traits when you decide on becoming a Buyer and these ladies certainly have what it takes!

SO here are the questions I asked them......

1. What do you enjoy most about your job?

K: Travel

J:Travel

L: Dealing with people from various cultures

2.What is the most painful thing that you have to do on a daily basis?

(This was a group answer!!)

Buyers are naturally very creative people and your creativity is often neglected because of all the admin that has to be dealt with.

3. Favourite Local Designers?

K: Malcolm Kluk

J: Errol Arendz

L: Amanda Laird Cherry

4. Favourite Internation Designers?

K: Roberto Cavalli

J: Elie Saab

L: Monique Lhuillier

(They both studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA)

5. Favourite City in the World?

K: Hong Kong

J:Hong Kong

L: Italy ( because everything is bigger and better!!)

6: There are huge budgets involved and mistakes are costly. How do you decide what to buy for your ranges?

(Group answer)

It's a combination of local competitors (you don't want to have the same items), what the target markets are wearing and trends set by international retailers.

7. Ackermans has more than 450 store in Southern Africa including Botswana and Namibia. Are you responsible for all the stores?

No, it depends on the department. The stores are divided into grids which are determined by the various target markets.

8. What advice do you have for aspiring Buyers?

Don't make the mistake of thinking that it is glamorous all the time! We work long hours and it is a lot of pressure. You have to immerse yourself (it has to be your life). You deal with various cultures and there are often language barriers, so you to be tolerant.

9. Ackermans is constantly evolving. We have seen unbelievable improvements in the children's departments over the years. What could we expect over the next couple of months?

The key is to remember that the main focus of Ackermans has always been the children's wear department. The focus has now shifted to the other departments. New buyers have been recruited and this will bring fresh ideas.

10.Last comment?

The Ackermans Team aspire to be trendsetters and never followers.

Thank - you once again for an amazing day! You guys are an inspiration to all FASHIONISTAS. xx