Visual Merchandising / Window Dressing / Display

[frenchjam]

I understand there's a look, but I find their display's so uninspiring-they've never actually made me stop and think yeah I want that now. I find it so hard having to resist the urge to rip the clothes off of the mannequin and throow something else onto it.

I agree. The only thing I've ever stopped and looked at at H&M were the shoes on the mannequins, and those were not even on sale 90% of the time. lol

 

[vita]

I agree with Bette, there is a team at the Top and that is where I will eventually want to get too... I do some visual merchandising now.. in terms of product placement, but what really gives me a buzz is mannequin stryling and window dressing... as i live in london i have applied to 2 colleges London college of communication for a diploma in 3d design , for window dressing, and retail fashion academy for 1yr program in visual merchandising...

I think i prefer to get the place at rfa, as this has closer links to the industry and the arrange alot of head office placements.. and an opportunity to mke really good contacts i think.. has anyone had experience of either of these schools or courses? how helpful did u find it...

Has anyone got any other advise about how i could get into mannequin styling, for an exciting brand?..on the uk highst... i think topshop would be one of the best to start with there training n developement is excellent! ...does anyone work for the creative team at selfridges..what junior positions do u have there? and what do they look for as a mimum requirement?. what other stores do you know of that have spedcific teams for windows and mannequin dressing...

 

[olivermorgan]

I agree with Bette, there is a team at the Top and that is where I will eventually want to get too... I do some visual merchandising now.. in terms of product placement, but what really gives me a buzz is mannequin stryling and window dressing... as i live in london i have applied to 2 colleges London college of communication for a diploma in 3d design , for window dressing, and retail fashion academy for 1yr program in visual merchandising...

I think i prefer to get the place at rfa, as this has closer links to the industry and the arrange alot of head office placements.. and an opportunity to mke really good contacts i think.. has anyone had experience of either of these schools or courses? how helpful did u find it...

Has anyone got any other advise about how i could get into mannequin styling, for an exciting brand?..on the uk highst... i think topshop would be one of the best to start with there training n developement is excellent! ...does anyone work for the creative team at selfridges..what junior positions do u have there? and what do they look for as a mimum requirement?. what other stores do you know of that have spedcific teams for windows and mannequin dressing...

I am a VM in Topman at Westfield, and we do both VM (product placement/merchandising/commercial work) as well as creative (displays/windows/mannequins), but the Topshop VMs have 2 teams, VM and Creative, so my store for certain has a team that purely specialises in Creative. My gf is a VM at the Oxford Circus store, and they too have 2 teams. I think we're the only 2 London stores to have specific Creative teams... Where I work, most of the Creative team have some form of Fashion/Art degree, but I don't think it's a must. In terms of the RFA, I would honestly say that you'd be best off trying to get a job at a high profile store (i.e. Oxford Circus/Westfield in terms of Topshop), because head office people are always in/you get a chance to go to Head Office and work with them, due to the profile of the store. You would need some form of portfolio mind you to get the job, so RFA would be good if you haven't got one.

 

[vita]

I am a VM in Topman at Westfield, and we do both VM (product placement/merchandising/commercial work) as well as creative (displays/windows/mannequins), but the Topshop VMs have 2 teams, VM and Creative, so my store for certain has a team that purely specialises in Creative. My gf is a VM at the Oxford Circus store, and they too have 2 teams. I think we're the only 2 London stores to have specific Creative teams... Where I work, most of the Creative team have some form of Fashion/Art degree, but I don't think it's a must. In terms of the RFA, I would honestly say that you'd be best off trying to get a job at a high profile store (i.e. Oxford Circus/Westfield in terms of Topshop), because head office people are always in/you get a chance to go to Head Office and work with them, due to the profile of the store. You would need some form of portfolio mind you to get the job, so RFA would be good if you haven't got one.

Thanks for your reply Oliver...I agree that getting a job with topshops vm or creative team is probably as good as the rfa course,,, i haven't got a portfolio though.

• What would they expect a portflio to contain? I
• Is it possible to go in as vm, and then work my way into creative?
• What are they requirements for vm?
• Which westfield team are you on vm or creative? or do u do both?
• What hours do u work and what is the pay like?

I'm just a lil nervous as i am on 10 p/hr and i have a feeling ts will not match that. What would be your advise in applying to vm at say oxford circus,... would you say i should go speak to the vm manager specifically, if possible and take my cv?

Decisions.. decisions ...i really am not sure what to as im not sure if i can afford a drop in salary but i was definitely prefer vm to what i do know.. n working for topshop wud b better on my cv and more enjoyable i feel. What are the vm team like at oxford circus... does ur gf like it there?

I hope u don't mind my gazillion questions...look fwd to your reply...

 

[olivermorgan]

Thanks for your reply Oliver...I agree that getting a job with topshops vm or creative team is probably as good as the rfa course,,, i haven't got a portfolio though.

• What would they expect a portflio to contain? I
• Is it possible to go in as vm, and then work my way into creative?
• What are they requirements for vm?
• Which westfield team are you on vm or creative? or do u do both?
• What hours do u work and what is the pay like?

I'm just a lil nervous as i am on 10 p/hr and i have a feeling ts will not match that. What would be your advise in applying to vm at say oxford circus,... would you say i should go speak to the vm manager specifically, if possible and take my cv?

Decisions.. decisions ...i really am not sure what to as im not sure if i can afford a drop in salary but i was definitely prefer vm to what i do know.. n working for topshop wud b better on my cv and more enjoyable i feel. What are the vm team like at oxford circus... does ur gf like it there?

I hope u don't mind my gazillion questions...look fwd to your reply...

No worries! It is a bit of an odd job to find out information for, as its pretty specialist in terms of retail..

1-In terms of portfolio, it depends if you want VM or Creative. For VM, examples of merchandising you've done would be good, as would anything that shows off any business-type skills, as VM is not just making the clothes look good on display, but using and analysing figures/sales reports, and acting on them to further drive sales. For Creative, anything art/fashion based you may having done, whether it be styling/illustration/installation. Anything that shows some fashion/design awareness. A current trend mood board is always good too, show you know what you are on about!

2-It's actually easier to get into Creative and then work towards VM. VM is held much higher than Creative, just because as I mentioned above, it's not just making the clothes look nice instore, but it is showing business/commercial skills, looking at and being able to use sales/stock figures in order to further drive sales, as well as being creative in the way in which the clothes are displayed. If you are established in VM, you could go anywhere and do either VM or Creative, but the same cannot be said if you are established in just Creative. It's easy enough though to go between the 2.. I work for Topman, not Topshop at Westfield, and unlike Topshop, we don't split the two, so we do both VM and Creative.

3- Requirements for VM is an odd one... You have to be both creative and fashion minded, as well as having a good business and commercial mind. Good fashion knowlege is essential though when merchandising, to create the right mood/trend with the outfir builds you make. A good work ethic is a must, as are good communication skills, because you not only have to communicate with your VM Manager, but head office VM teams, as well as shop floor teams/shop floor management, and stockroom teams. In terms of qualifications, it's again an odd one, as it's a very specific skill. Most VMs (or atleast VMs for Topshop/Topman in high profile stores) have some form of fashion/arts degree, but it's really not something that is needed.

4- At Westfield, I do both, because as I explainded, Topman don't split it the same way Topshop do. Good for me though, because I enjoy doing both!

5-I work full time, which is 37.5 hours a week, and all VMs work 7am-4pm. Sounds early, but it means that you have a few hours before the store opens to get major things done.. It's so nice as well to travel to and from work when the tube is not rammed, and you get more of an evening. You get used to the earlier start, and now I would really hate to work any other hours. We have to work the odd over night shift too for major moves/set ups, but they're really not too often. In terms of pay, you'd be on about the same. As it's more of a specialist role, the pay is better than normal sales floor staff (or it is atleast for TS/TM.)

My gf LOVES circus! The team there are all really nice/very good at their job. Circus is getting a £16million refit over the summer too, so they are all doing loads of work for that at the moment, helping design the new store. I've seen some plans, and it's going to be AMAZING! Pretty good time to get onboard there in terms of VM, because after the refit, the profile of the store/the VM there is going to go through the roof. In terms of applying, it's be near-impossible to talk to the VM Manager. I've popped in to find people for work related things, and it's taken an age to get to them, because of the size, and they were expecting me! Easiest thing to do would be to call the store and press the option to be put through to HR, or apply on their website. There is a link at the bottom, and you just choose the area you're interested in, answer some questions, and submit your CV.

I was talking to my gf about the RA, and someone on her team did the year long VM course there. He had no previous VM experience, and said it was really good, because he got to learn everything from scratch, did placements in head office/met the right people, and then secured a circus job, at a slightly higher wage! Worth looking into if applying doesn't work out and you're really serious about the career change.

Let me know how it all goes, and just ask if you have any furher questions!

 

[vita]

No worries! It is a bit of an odd job to find out information for, as its pretty specialist in terms of retail..

1-In terms of portfolio, it depends if you want VM or Creative. For VM, examples of merchandising you've done would be good, as would anything that shows off any business-type skills, as VM is not just making the clothes look good on display, but using and analysing figures/sales reports, and acting on them to further drive sales. For Creative, anything art/fashion based you may having done, whether it be styling/illustration/installation. Anything that shows some fashion/design awareness. A current trend mood board is always good too, show you know what you are on about!

2-It's actually easier to get into Creative and then work towards VM. VM is held much higher than Creative, just because as I mentioned above, it's not just making the clothes look nice instore, but it is showing business/commercial skills, looking at and being able to use sales/stock figures in order to further drive sales, as well as being creative in the way in which the clothes are displayed. If you are established in VM, you could go anywhere and do either VM or Creative, but the same cannot be said if you are established in just Creative. It's easy enough though to go between the 2.. I work for Topman, not Topshop at Westfield, and unlike Topshop, we don't split the two, so we do both VM and Creative.

3- Requirements for VM is an odd one... You have to be both creative and fashion minded, as well as having a good business and commercial mind. Good fashion knowlege is essential though when merchandising, to create the right mood/trend with the outfir builds you make. A good work ethic is a must, as are good communication skills, because you not only have to communicate with your VM Manager, but head office VM teams, as well as shop floor teams/shop floor management, and stockroom teams. In terms of qualifications, it's again an odd one, as it's a very specific skill. Most VMs (or atleast VMs for Topshop/Topman in high profile stores) have some form of fashion/arts degree, but it's really not something that is needed.

4- At Westfield, I do both, because as I explainded, Topman don't split it the same way Topshop do. Good for me though, because I enjoy doing both!

5-I work full time, which is 37.5 hours a week, and all VMs work 7am-4pm. Sounds early, but it means that you have a few hours before the store opens to get major things done.. It's so nice as well to travel to and from work when the tube is not rammed, and you get more of an evening. You get used to the earlier start, and now I would really hate to work any other hours. We have to work the odd over night shift too for major moves/set ups, but they're really not too often. In terms of pay, you'd be on about the same. As it's more of a specialist role, the pay is better than normal sales floor staff (or it is atleast for TS/TM.)

My gf LOVES circus! The team there are all really nice/very good at their job. Circus is getting a £16million refit over the summer too, so they are all doing loads of work for that at the moment, helping design the new store. I've seen some plans, and it's going to be AMAZING! Pretty good time to get onboard there in terms of VM, because after the refit, the profile of the store/the VM there is going to go through the roof. In terms of applying, it's be near-impossible to talk to the VM Manager. I've popped in to find people for work related things, and it's taken an age to get to them, because of the size, and they were expecting me! Easiest thing to do would be to call the store and press the option to be put through to HR, or apply on their website. There is a link at the bottom, and you just choose the area you're interested in, answer some questions, and submit your CV.

I was talking to my gf about the RA, and someone on her team did the year long VM course there. He had no previous VM experience, and said it was really good, because he got to learn everything from scratch, did placements in head office/met the right people, and then secured a circus job, at a slightly higher wage! Worth looking into if applying doesn't work out and you're really serious about the career change.

Let me know how it all goes, and just ask if you have any furher questions!

Thanks oliver for taking the time to answer my questions and share such good advice !!!

Ok, i think i am better placed to go into VM, i see your point about vm being more all-rounded. i do like analysing data to bring about improved performance, being able to do that that and combining my interst and knowledge in clothes... i think would make this idea for me..

So I think I would stand a better chance going for the VM, now the question is whether topshop or topman? Well over the past few years I have really being loving the topman brand, with the topman design collaborations, and lens boutique...plus tm has got some of the most exciting windows on the high street compared to other other high st, menswear stores.. so yeah, maybe i shud coinsider vm at tm... I wonder if they have any girls on their team?..or is it a predominantly male team...

The refit at circus sounds really exciting for sure... and i agree now would be a good time to get in on the action.. god, i would be soo happy to get in there now..

I also love ts, ofcourse! i have worked for them before in the midlands and did a short stint with ts vm's...i enjoyed it alot... the early starts i found a bit rough but early finish was always great..i would get accustomed, i think...

Ok..so i'm gonna apply... put together a trend board... update my cv and see what happens.. i am at circus now .not sure if i said i work for a concession brand.. but want to go back to ts..i found ts very good indeveloping staff..and alot of the team are passionate about the brand, and very good at coming up with new and fresh ideas. i like that sort of working environment alot.. and i really am keen to learn as much as poss in this area...

Question about trend board/mens fashion.. if im applying to tm..i obviously have to but together a board on mens fashion..im totally up to date on womenswear but menswear i have a bit to learn i think...

what are the best resources to swot up on mens fashion?.. about where tm design/designers get their inspiration?..what are the latest trends for aw 09 and who are the up and coming designers in mens fashion?

Thanks again, I will definitely keep you informed and let you know how things progress.. but i think i'm ready to make that move... fingers crossed,...

Have a great week!!
V

 

[zagadka]

Has anyone worked with Urban Outfitters (any of the brands: Free People, Anthropologie, Urban) doing visuals or styling? I'm curious to see what kind of company they are to work for, pay, benefits, etc.

There is a Free People store opening near me and I want nothing more than to be the visual + display gal.

 

[olivermorgan]

Thanks oliver for taking the time to answer my questions and share such good advice !!!

Ok, i think i am better placed to go into VM, i see your point about vm being more all-rounded. i do like analysing data to bring about improved performance, being able to do that that and combining my interst and knowledge in clothes... i think would make this idea for me..

So I think I would stand a better chance going for the VM, now the question is whether topshop or topman? Well over the past few years I have really being loving the topman brand, with the topman design collaborations, and lens boutique...plus tm has got some of the most exciting windows on the high street compared to other other high st, menswear stores.. so yeah, maybe i shud coinsider vm at tm... I wonder if they have any girls on their team?..or is it a predominantly male team...

The refit at circus sounds really exciting for sure... and i agree now would be a good time to get in on the action.. god, i would be soo happy to get in there now..

I also love ts, ofcourse! i have worked for them before in the midlands and did a short stint with ts vm's...i enjoyed it alot... the early starts i found a bit rough but early finish was always great..i would get accustomed, i think...

Ok..so i'm gonna apply... put together a trend board... update my cv and see what happens.. i am at circus now .not sure if i said i work for a concession brand.. but want to go back to ts..i found ts very good indeveloping staff..and alot of the team are passionate about the brand, and very good at coming up with new and fresh ideas. i like that sort of working environment alot.. and i really am keen to learn as much as poss in this area...

Question about trend board/mens fashion.. if im applying to tm..i obviously have to but together a board on mens fashion..im totally up to date on womenswear but menswear i have a bit to learn i think...

what are the best resources to swot up on mens fashion?.. about where tm design/designers get their inspiration?..what are the latest trends for aw 09 and who are the up and coming designers in mens fashion?

Thanks again, I will definitely keep you informed and let you know how things progress.. but i think i'm ready to make that move... fingers crossed,...

Have a great week!!
V

Ohh, where in the midlands did you work for ts?! I am from Warwickshire originally, so have worked in most of the midlands stores at some point.. Topman is the best, but I'm clearly going to say that B)
In terms of inspiration, TM tends to have pretty wide inspiration for the trend. Some are music-based, others are more directly catwalk based, but
recent trends have been more catwalk-based, and the trends over the summer are too. This site is pretty much the best souce for menswear trends, have a look in the 'Mens SS 09 Catwalk Trends' threads. I like looking in the street style threads too, as TM trends are more streetstyle inspired, compared to the more catwalk-inspired TS trends.

Autumn trends for TM are in development, so I don't know anything about them, but over summer we've got Chelsea Arts Club (English eccentric gent style) then Motel Arizona (trashy 80s American, Fear and Loathing in Las Vagas inspired), then Deejarling (travel-inspired smart trend).

Did you apply for TM?! There was a VM job going last week... Let me know how it goes etc.

 

[vita]

hi oliver... i worked at nottingham ( victoria centre) and leicester ts... notts was the best of the 2...lol@ tm is the best,... well.. at notts, the tm team always seem to b happy there, the vms i knew were mostly girls, tho.. but i think at tm oxford circus it might b the other way around ie, the team is all male, or so i heard..... im not sure how that may impact on my chances there.. do u hve any girls on ur team at whitecity?

but i did apply to tm... will see what happens now... i am getting frustrated with my current employers pretty quikly... i have an interview at rfa on monday too.. so should b putting together a portfolio and i am really struggling... to maintain focus... in the meantime trying to plan a back up strategy on how to get into an independent contemporary boutique...which i think can also provide sum very interestg experiences..

I'm also going to keep an eye out for vacancies on the ts vm team @ 214.....

I'll keep u informed on progress...

By the way, if you could work for any other company who would it be? And do u intend to build a ft career in vm.... ?

 

[olivermorgan]

hi oliver... i worked at nottingham ( victoria centre) and leicester ts... notts was the best of the 2...lol@ tm is the best,... well.. at notts, the tm team always seem to b happy there, the vms i knew were mostly girls, tho.. but i think at tm oxford circus it might b the other way around ie, the team is all male, or so i heard..... im not sure how that may impact on my chances there.. do u hve any girls on ur team at whitecity?

but i did apply to tm... will see what happens now... i am getting frustrated with my current employers pretty quikly... i have an interview at rfa on monday too.. so should b putting together a portfolio and i am really struggling... to maintain focus... in the meantime trying to plan a back up strategy on how to get into an independent contemporary boutique...which i think can also provide sum very interestg experiences..

I'm also going to keep an eye out for vacancies on the ts vm team @ 214.....

I'll keep u informed on progress...

By the way, if you could work for any other company who would it be? And do u intend to build a ft career in vm.... ?

Ohhh, I didn't ever do any of the more northern Midlands stores. Notts Victoria is nice though, have worked with people from there at store set ups etc.. There are actually 2 female VMs at TM Oxford Circus, and I have some on my team too. I do intend to carry on with a VM career. Want to become an area VM manager, and progress from there. Think I'll be able to do it too, I'm 20, and already a really senior VM within the company, so we shall have to see how it goes..

 

[vita]

hey oliver.. i didnt get an interview from topman, topshop are now recruiting too..but guessing if i didnt get in for one no point on the other i may call today for sum feedback... but on the positive side ive been offered a job to assist our vm manager at head office p/t.. details not yet confirmed but sounds like it will b good...

 

[Wow!]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any VM internships during the summer? I'm at university studying spatial design and really want to window dressing when I leave. If anyone could help that would be great!

 

[ellastica]

could somebody give a rundown of retail clothing stores etc that hire visual merchandisers?
these are some stores to my knowledge that utilize VMs: Forever 21, J Crew, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Bebe, Benetton/Sisley, Abercrombie, Macy's....

also i talked to a former VM Manager from Macy's recently and she was saying that the VM team at Macy's is getting phased out! I hope this is just a rumor. while not my dream company, Macy's set schedule (esp for VM associates) and weekly paychecks just can't be beat.

 

[LoveKatFashion]

Sorry if a thread like this has already been made, if so feel free to remove or merge my thread with a previous one.


Color Story: Pink, Taupe, Brown, Tan, Yellow, Green, Black & White

Color Story: Pink, Green, Electric Blue, Navy Blue, Red, Yellow, Grey & Orange

Color Story: White, Eggplant, Red, Yellow, Teal & Orange

Photo's taken by me.

Comments are more than welcome!

^Wow, that looks great!! I was interested in fashion merchandising. Do you do this work for a specific company, or was the work you did with the gloves just a one time deal??

I've always wanted to hear sucess stories for those in fashion merchandising

 

[GERGIN]

I'm definetely allowed to freely do things my own way to some extent. The company doesnt have any visual guidelines...but it's not as established as a company like Gucci that do follow guidelines.

 

[TheeMigs]

^Do you freelance GERGIN? Ive thought about doing more freelance work to get my name out there, but currently my position as a visual stylist keeps me pretty busy...

 

[GERGIN]

But in terms of my job, no it's not freelance, I mean the windows that are styled are for that boutique I manage. But prior to that I had been given some opportunities with other stores to do visual work.

 

[LoveKatFashion]

^So how sucessful are you? (if you don't mind me asking)

I was interesting in it, then I heard things about the job offers, and that I may just be setting up clothes in a JC penny and not get paid squat :/

 

[GERGIN]

^
I'm in management, since the boutique is very small (it's the first location they have put in Canada) I can pretty much do any of the visual work I please with the store. I can only base my success on the amount I traffic I get in from the customers who are interested

Would this position you have at JCP be an internship...I'm not sure I quite understand..?

 

[LoveKatFashion]

^Oh okay, thanks for the information.

And I was just using the JCP thing as an example. Like I hear that a majority of the jobs in fashion merchandising, are low paying, not very reuputible, and hard to get into. True, or not true?