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From the design showroom to the store, the fashion buyer decides what will be on sale next season. They plan the purchasing of seasonal items, identify upcoming trends and choose the right product and brand mix. Providing current and future business models, encapsulating innovation, new media and technology in the global buying process, this master’s course covers contemporary issues in product selection and purchasing methods.
Application Requirements
Completed online application
Signed personal statement
Curriculum vitae/resume
2 reference letters
Copy of university diploma
Academic transcripts
Portfolio (where requested)
Passport scan (photo page)
2 digital photos (passport-style)
Italian privacy consent form
Degree Length
9 months; October & February intake
Application Deadline
October intake: June 1, 2019
February intake: October 1, 2019
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits
Program Dates
Oct intake: September 15 2019 – June 05 2020
Feb intake: Early Feb 2020 – Late Sept 2020
Age: 18+
Academic: Completed Bachelor’s degree
*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Undergraduate GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must demonstrate CEFR B2 level, and submit IELTS 6.5+ (no elements below 5.5).
Certification attained: Istituto Marangoni Certificate
At the postgraduate level, all participants will have previous undergraduate level study in the fields of economics, marketing, fashion design with marketing or similar, or proven work experience completing the Contemporary Fashion Buying course with highly specialized skills in fashion buying.
Buyers need to be business-minded with strong analytical skills and the ability to negotiate and work alongside many departments including marketing and sales, ensuring new collections and items are commercially viable either in store, or via online retailing and e-commerce platforms. Participants learn the technical and theoretical aspects of a buying campaign analyzing different retail formats and key macro trends. By studying the organization of the buying team they fully understand the role and responsibility of buyers and merchandisers in the global market. Key buying processes include stock mix and import-export techniques as well as pricing strategies and the ability to forecast the profitability of a fashion product.
Participants of this fashion course analyze the buying calendar and correctly plan the purchase of a seasonal collection using a balanced combination of products and brands responding to current trends and influences. By understanding how the consumer perceives a collection they are able to put together an appealing, desirable and winning fashion collection.
The relationship of visual merchandising and sales, negotiation techniques, and soft skills in communication, decision making, time management, leadership, and team working enable participants to successfully perform on real commercial projects developing effective buying strategies for a benchmark company.
Participants apply the experience acquired on industry projects to prepare their own professional buying strategy for business, as well as potential industry start-ups.
Educational Aims
Program Aims
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of their course of study students will be able to:
The Master’s course will focus on the following areas:
Course teaching methods are mainly based around formal lectures, workshops, seminars and self-directed study and within this structure a range of approaches to learning and teaching is employed as appropriate to the situation. Industry experienced specialists and visiting specialist Lecturers (industry professionals) make valuable contributions and facilitate important links to professional practice.
Self-Directed Study plays a major role in this program, where students are expected to spend time researching and analyzing subject matter independently to support and substantiate taught material.
Formal Lectures form an integral part of the program and with formal delivery of key information to the whole cohort. At this level it is expected that students will use the lectures as a stimulus for further study/reading.
Seminars are used to build on themes taken from the lecture program. Students are encouraged to make an active contribution by sharing in the argument and debate.
Visiting Lecturers are invited to deliver specialist lectures to enhance the delivery of the units.
Individual Tutorials are used when individual student work is being discussed or the guidance required is specific to one particular student. It is especially important in the dissertation phase and may be face to face, over the telephone, via e-mail or Skype.
Small Group Tutorials enable students to discuss and plan their work in greater detail than is possible with larger groups. It encourages quieter students to develop their interpersonal and communication skills and helps consolidate leadership skills in others.
Video Presentations are used to give a more in-depth understanding of a specific issue.
Case Studies are used for detailed discussion of real-life situations.
Demonstrations are normally of a technical nature and are necessary in certain subject areas. Studio / Workshop / Laboratory / Practical Sessions > may be used to enable the creative and practical skill development of the student in an environment which simulates that of industry.
Group and Team Work requires students to operate as a member of a group or team and they usually have clearly identified roles. The emphasis is on collective responsibility, individual responsibility to the group and joint decision-making.
Study Trips give students the opportunity to go outside the institute’s environment to enhance their understanding of specific subject material. If assessment is dependent on information collected whilst undertaking the study trip, the trip would be considered mandatory. The cost of study trips can be either the responsibility of the student or on occasion included in the annual study fee. If the visit is within the city students pay for public transport. This will be outlined at the beginning of any unit where such a trip is foreseen.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
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June 1 2019 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposit Due $1,500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) |
July 1 2019 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
July 15 2019 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
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September 15 2019 |
Program Check-in & SAI Orientation Students arrive in Milan independently prior to this date and must check in with on-site staff by this day. Check-in includes a brief program orientation. |
October 01 2019 |
Academic Program Begins |
June 05 2020 |
Graduation & Program End |
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
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October 1 2019 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposit Due $1,500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) |
Coming soon |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
Coming soon |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
Coming soon |
Program Check-in & SAI Orientation Students arrive in Milan independently prior to this date and must check in with on-site staff by this day. Check-in includes a brief program orientation. |
Coming soon |
Academic Orientation |
Coming soon |
Lectures Begin |
Coming soon |
Exams |
Coming soon |
Final Projects End |
Coming soon |
Final Presentations |
Coming soon |
Graduation & Program End |
SAI Program Fees* | USD |
---|---|
Application Fee | $125 |
Program Fee Includes tuition, Master’s certificate and SAI Select Services, no housing (see What’s Included). |
$40,300 |
Program Fee: EU Citizens Students who are EU citizens can receive a discount on their program fee. |
Contact SAI |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
International Mailing Supplement Students residing outside the U.S. are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$85 |
*prices are subject to change
Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
---|---|---|
Airfare to/from Milan |
$900 | $1,500 |
Visa Visa and Permit to Stay fees. |
$300 | $300 |
Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$200 / course | $300 / course |
Housing SAI can provide recommendations. |
$900 / month | $1,750 / month |
Meals Combination of cooking at home and eating out. |
$600 / month | $1,000 / month |
Personal Expenses | $250 / month | $350 / month |
Transportation within Milan area Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $250 / month |
Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is an SAI Select Services Program; it includes the important on-site services!
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
Housing is not included in SAI Select Services Programs. However, your SAI Admissions Counselor will be happy to provide you with information and recommendations for local housing agencies, as well as school-provided apartments. Students who do not have prior housing arrangements should begin speaking with their Admissions Counselor as soon as possible.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law students studying in Italy for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at the Italian Consulate to present their student visa application. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for the appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.
SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development and social responsibility. We concentrate our programs in Europe, with a focus on in-depth learning of individual European countries and their unique global role in the geopolitical economy, humanities, and in the arts.