If you’ve ever wondered who is responsible for creating those amazing displays in the stores you love, and buying in that must have coat/bag/pair of shoes… look no further than the buyers and visual merchandisers. If you’ve ever wondered how one goes about getting such a job, we can help.

Aifric Dunne wondered the same thing, and then she found out about the course in Fashion Buying and Merchandising available at Portobello Institute.

Aifric spent one year in Portobello learning about how buying and merchandising works, and since then she’s gone and landed her dream gig.

She says:

I am currently working with Arnotts, and I have to say I love my job! There is so much to learn and every day throws a new challenge your way, which I absolutely love. No two days are ever the same and there is never a dull moment. Planning ahead in years to come, I would love to be a head buyer for a department store. I think department store buying is where I want to be. I am in a very fortunate position as Arnotts are a great company to work for and they really want to train you in everything they know.

Originally I started off as an Intern working with the lingerie and hosiery buyer and the concessions buyer. Working alongside them and hearing and seeing their daily roles and responsibilities really made me fall even more in love with the idea of being a buyer. When a job opportunity came my way for a position with the buying team I jumped at the chance and was successful in securing the role as buying and merchandising assistant. I could not be happier with my new role at Arnotts.

I owe a huge "Thank You" to the course programmer at Portobello Institute, Nicola Kilkenny. She put me forward for the internship at Arnotts. I am also so grateful to the tutors on the course who were a great support network throughout the year. They taught me so much in just a year and really made me fall in love with the industry.

For more information on fashion and beauty courses available at Portobello Institute, click here.