What do they do?

These managers can work in retail where the role includes inventory control, deciding on what to buy, identifying store locations or in an export house where they decide on production, manufacturing, sourcing, etc. They have to manage products, many of which become obsolete after one season. They can work in brands such as Benetton, Levi’s, Pantaloons; retail chains; export houses or sourcing companies (where they manage the supply chain) and outsourcing firms which are links between foreign clients and Indian manufacturers. Apparel managers (in India) may be busy working on a US order for shirts which require cotton bought from Australia, woven in Pakistan, dyed and finished in Sri Lanka, and manufactured in Bangladesh.

Skills Needed

•  Commercial acumen
•  Ability to multi-task, manage change in a fast-changing market and perform under tight deadlines
•  Strong interpersonal skills and team spirit
•  Quantitative aptitude
•  Be detail-oriented
•  Be creative
•  Be able to handle a crisis calmly
•  Good communication skills

How do I get there?

There are no pre-requisites for you to get into the profession. You may come from any background provided you have talent for this kind of work. After completing your Class 12 in any stream, you can look at institutes offering programmes in apparel management and related fields. Some institutes do offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in apparel merchandising, fashion marketing and fashion management. Admission to most institutes is through an all-India entrance exam.

Related Colleges

Istituto Marangoni (London)

Istituto Marangoni (Paris)

Istituto Marangoni (Milano)

Typical day in the life of a Apparel Manager

9.00am: Meet buyers; do sample follow-ups

11.00am: Flip through various fashion magazines

1.00pm: Lunch

2.00pm: Coordinate with vendors, and track the movement of unshipped orders

3.00pm: Meeting with commercial team

4.00pm: Search the web for new trends, cuts and colours in apparel design

6.30pm: Check arrangements for upcoming trip to Milan

7.00pm: Leave for home

Pros & Cons about this career