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PODCAST

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising

Elisabeth Mac Hale

This podcast "Thrive in Fashion" is your ultimate guide to navigating the dynamic world of FASHION BUYING & MERCHANDISING. Hosted by Elisabeth Mac Hale, a seasoned fashion buyer and industry consultant, this podcast is designed for aspiring buyers, fashion graduates & boutique owners, passionate about the fashion business. Each episode explores different aspects of fashion buying, from trend analysis and product development to retail strategy. Elisabeth shares her wealth of experience,

arts fashion & beauty

All Episodes

00:08:36

What Being ‘Commercial’ Really Means and Why It...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/10/27

Every buyer has heard it — “Be more commercial.”But what does that actually mean?In this episode, Elisabeth breaks down one of the most misunderstood phrases in fashion buying.She explains how being commercial isn’t about losing creativity — it’s about understanding the why behind what sells, and using that insight to make your creativity more powerful.Drawing on her 25+ years in buying and her experience training global fashion teams, Elisabeth shares:Why commercial thinking starts with curiosity,

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00:16:13

You’re Not Behind — You Were Just Never Trained for...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/10/21

Do you feel like you got the buying job but not the training? You’re not alone.In this episode, Elisabeth explains why so many early-career fashion buyers struggle — and what the industry forgot to teach them.You’ll learn:The three missing lessons every buyer should know.Why confidence is built, not born.How to connect creativity with commercial thinking.🎯 Take the free Fashion Buyer Skills Assessment → [Quiz Link ]For more info and courses available visit The Design Directive website

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00:14:35

"Are You Buyer-Ready? Unlocking Your Fashion Buying...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/10/15

Ever wonder why some buyers get promoted while others stay stuck—despite working just as hard? In this episode, Elisabeth introduces her new "Are You Buyer-Ready?" quiz—a free 3-minute career assessment that reveals exactly where you stand in your buying journey.Discover the four core skill areas every successful buyer must master, learn why hard work alone isn't enough for promotion, and hear real stories of buyers who transformed their careers by focusing on the right skills at the

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00:15:28

Building Confidence in Your Buying Decisions (#032)

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/09/06

Feeling paralyzed when placing orders? Second-guessing every buying decision? You're not alone. In this episode, Elisabeth breaks down why talented buyers get stuck in "execution mode with anxiety" and shares her 5-pillar framework for building unshakeable confidence in your buying decisions.You'll learn:Why confidence isn't something you're born with - it's built through understandingThe difference between reactive buying and strategic decision-makingHow to read the

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00:17:16

What Happens When Fashion Buyers Go Too Far (#031)

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/07/23

Toxic buyer behavior has become normalized in our industry. Stories of unpaid invoices, disrespectful communication, and suppliers being set up to fail reveal how far some buyer-supplier relationships have deteriorated.In this episode, I share examples from payment delays used as leverage to junior buyers learning that bullying suppliers is "just business." I explore why this behavior developed, the real costs to our industry, and most importantly, how we can build respectful partnerships that

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00:13:26

How Fashion Buyers Use Instinct and Strategy to Spot...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/06/28

Gut instinct isn’t fairy-dust; it’s experience plus data. Its is powerful when it’s backed by data. In this episode, Elisabeth Mac Hale dissects the buyer’s phrase “I’ll know it when I see it,” True intuition is built on commercial frameworks, customer insight and relentless pattern spotting. She shares some real life examples and you’ll learn three practical ways to train your eye, trust your gut and buy with confidence.Perfect listening for junior and mid-level buyers who want to level up from

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00:13:10

It’s Not the Title That Makes You a Great Buyer (#029)

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/05/12

Episode Summary: "It’s not the title that makes you a great buyer— it’s your ability to make the right decisions when no one’s watching."Make your company need you because you are so good at your job, because you have such a good understanding, because you know how to pull all the pieces together because you really understand the strategy and the why behind what you're doing both now and in the future.. You must understand that it's beyond just spread spreadsheet knowledge. You're not just an

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00:07:16

Ep 28 Making the Leap: How to Transition Into Fashion...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/02/12

In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, I’m answering some of the most common questions I get from professionals looking to transition into a buying role. We’ll cover:How to translate your existing skills into buyingWays to gain relevant experience—even if you’re starting from scratchThe mindset shift you need to succeed as a fashion buyerHow retail experience can give you a competitive edgeIf you’re working in retail, marketing, or merchandising and want to break into buying, this episode is for

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00:15:04

Ep 27 Common Buying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2025/02/03

In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, I dive into the most common mistakes fashion buyers make—and how to avoid them. From overbuying and misjudging trends to indecision and poor negotiation, these pitfalls can have a huge impact on your bottom line.I share real-world stories from my experience, including how hesitation and lack of confidence can derail a buying season, why ignoring customer feedback is a costly mistake, and how balancing gut instinct with data leads to smarter buying

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00:13:59

How to Set Your Fashion Buying Career Goals for 2025

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/12/15

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to look ahead and start setting your career goals for 2025! In this week’s episode of the Fashion Forward podcast, I’m sharing tips on how to set goals that will set you up for success next year.Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, mastering new skills, or exploring new career opportunities, this episode covers everything you need to stay on track and motivated throughout 2025.✨ Reflect on this year's wins and lessons✨ Define clear, achievable goals ✨ Align

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00:12:00

Ep 25 The Top 5 Trends to Watch out for in 2025

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/12/06

In this week’s episode, we're looking ahead to the biggest trends shaping the fashion industry in 2025! From Neo-Minimalism’s “less is more” ethos to groundbreaking tech-infused textiles, we’re covering it all. Whether you’re in buying, merchandising, or just curious about where fashion is headed, this episode breaks down five key trends: Neo-Minimalism, Tech-Infused Textiles, Playful Colors and Prints, Gender-Fluid Fashion, and Circular Fashion. Tune in to hear details and examples on how to

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00:19:07

EP 24 What They Don’t Teach You in Fashion School

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/11/24

In this episode of Thrive in Fashion, Elisabeth Mac Hale reveals the realities of fashion buying that aren’t taught in classrooms. Elisabeth breaks down common misconceptions, from the allure of glamour to the heavy focus on sales data and spreadsheets. She shares her insights and experiences as a buyer, highlighting the balance between creativity and commercial strategy, and how market knowledge and customer insights are essential for success. Packed with real-world examples, this episode is a

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00:12:44

Ep 23 How to Accelerate Career Growth in Buying &...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/11/18

In this episode of the Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale answers some of the most frequently asked questions about career growth in the fashion industry. Whether you’re a junior buyer looking to advance or a seasoned professional seeking a fresh perspective, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Elisabeth discusses essential skills for advancement, strategies for transitioning into mid-level and senior roles, and ways to foster growth outside of

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00:14:31

Ep 22 Essential Buyer Metrics for Smarter Decisions

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/11/11

In this week's Thrive in Fashion Buying podcast episode, Elisabeth Mac Hale breaks down some key metrics every fashion buyer must understand to optimize inventory, make data-driven decisions, and maximize profitability. Discover how to use metrics like Sell-Through Rate, Weeks of Supply, Inventory Turnover Rate, and Markdown Rate to fine-tune your buying strategy. Elisabeth provides examples of these metrics in action, helping you grasp their impact on sales performance and profitability. Whether

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00:18:42

Ep 21 How To Prepare Your New Season's Buying Strategy

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/11/05

Episode 21 of the THRIVE IN FASHION podcast dives into the preparation and strategy of seasonal planning for fashion buyers. As we transition from AW24, Elisabeth Mac Hale shares actionable steps to ensure you are prepared and strategically set for the upcoming buying season.In this episode, Elisabeth discusses: Reviewing Current Season Performance: Learn how to evaluate your best and worst products, spot trends, and gather critical insights to inform your next buying decisions. Setting Clear

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00:13:07

Ep 20 Learn the key components of costs and pricing

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/10/31

In this episode of the Thrive in Fashion podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale explores essential pricing strategies and costing fundamentals for fashion buyers, whether you’re managing a large retail business or running an independent boutique. Elisabeth breaks down the key components of pricing, from cost of goods to landed costs, and explains critical differences between gross and net profit margins. Tune in to learn how mastering the pricing process drives profitability and brand success. If you

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00:12:18

Ep 19 Understanding Markup and Profit Margins in...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/10/20

In this episode, host Elisabeth Mac Hale tackles a key concern for many branded buyers: maintaining healthy profit margins when designer brands come in with lower markup multipliers. Elisabeth explains what a "good" markup is and what to do when you’re faced with designer brands offering much lower multipliers.Learn how to balance profitability with brand appeal, strategies for negotiating better terms, curating your assortment strategically, and how to compensate for lower margins by driving value

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00:14:07

Ep 18 Why Accurate Technical Packs and Specifications...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/10/16

In this episode, Elisabeth talks about the essential role of technical packs in fashion buying and design. Discover why providing accurate technical specifications is vital for the success of any fashion product. Learn the key components of a comprehensive tech pack, including design sketches, bill of materials, measurements, construction details, colorways, and quality standards. Understand the consequences of inaccurate or incomplete tech packs, such as production delays, increased costs, and

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00:14:00

Ep 17 How to prepare for your range sign off...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/09/16

In this episode of the Thrive in Fashion Podcast, host Elisabeth Mac Hale shares the critical steps necessary for a successful range sign off presentation. A well-planned, balanced, and commercial range plan can make or break a sales season. Whether you're an experienced buyer or new to the role, mastering these points will help you navigate your next product line review with confidence and precision.Key takeaways from this episode include: Do Your Homework: Understand your category,

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00:17:45

Ep 16 How fashion buyers and merchandisers forecast...

Thrive in Fashion Buying and Merchandising ·

2024/09/06

This episode explores the topic of forecasting demand and predicting future trends in fashion buying. Discover how fashion buyers and merchandisers blend art and science, intuition and data, to ensure the right products are available at the right time. We'll delve into market research, sales data analysis, trend spotting, and the role of fashion forecasting agencies. Learn how collaboration with designers and suppliers, monitoring competitors, and leveraging technology play a crucial role in

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35 results

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