My job: Kiwi with a passion for fashion

Gabi's favourite fashion destination is New York. Photo / Supplied

Name: Gabi Fredericks
Age: 40
Occupation: Fashion Buyer, Farmers Trading Company
Working hours: Workloads are driven by seasonal launches so hours vary.
Salary: Competitive in NZ buying terms.
Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing.

Describe your job.

I travel to fashion destinations around the world to bring the latest and greatest overseas fashion to New Zealand. Sounds like a tough job, huh? I then interpret what will work for our climate and what Farmers' customers like.

Do you work on your own or as part of a team?

I work as part of a team. There are five womenswear buyers, and I look after our youth market - the Switch and Living Doll brands. We also have a bunch of people helping us behind the scenes - such as our quality assurance department, stock planners and buyers' assistants. The womenswear team works to ensure the looks we have found for the season are translated throughout the business.

What is your background?

Almost my entire career has been in retailing, bar a brief and boring stint in banking. I started as a sales assistant when I was going through university.

What skills and qualities are needed in this role?

An eye for fashion and what translates well for Farmers, financial nous to assist in meeting sales budgets, good communication skills to ensure the requirements can be met by our suppliers and our stores across the country.

How far do you travel?

From Shanghai to Paris, New York to Mumbai; anywhere that offers world-class fashion.

Is your job as glamorous as it sounds?

Yes and no. There is pressure to meet sales and profit budgets and that can be harder than it sounds, especially in difficult economic times.

Although being paid to shop is difficult to beat, and I love bringing world-class fashion to everyday New Zealanders.

Do you have a favourite "fashion destination"?

I love shopping in New York. The stores are so eclectic, from upmarket designer down to Soho and the hand-crafted individual pieces. And the food is great, too.

How do you describe your own fashion style?

That depends on my mood. It can be dressy or casual, girly to rock chick.

How do Kiwi tastes and dress styles differ from other countries you visit?

New Zealand women have traditionally been more conservative than many countries we visit, although this is changing and women are more likely to try new shapes and styles. It's exciting being part of that change. We are continually bringing on new brands or different garments for more fashion-forward New Zealanders.

How do you ensure you cater for all ages, shapes, sizes and colourings?

Farmers has been the major fashion retailer in New Zealand for 100 years, so we have a thorough grasp on what fashion New Zealanders like to buy. We have 57 stores nationwide which showcase a range of clothes.

We also do quality assurance testing, and a lot of that is ensuring our garments are well-fitted to the average New Zealand size and shape.

Why is your job important?

Well, compared with brain surgery, protecting the community and finding a cure for cancer, it isn't.

However, for some women, dressing does not come easily, so the challenge for me and the rest of the buying team is to provide tasteful, affordable fashion.

It gives me a big thrill to see an everyday Kiwi walking down the street in something I put into store.

What are the challenges of your work?

Balancing my personal tastes with worldwide fashion trends, juggling prices and exchange rates and ensuring we deliver value for money.

Best part of your job?

I get to play with new colours, trends and styles on a daily basis. Carrie Bradshaw, eat your heart out.

And the worst part?

Sticking to my budgets. I want to buy all the fabulous things I see.

What are your strengths?

A thick skin.

Any fashion flops that just didn't take off in this country?

My biggest disaster has to be a terry-towelling boob-tube jumpsuit. It might be okay for this summer, but it was a little progressive for five years ago!

You must have some interesting stories?

I've been detained in Paris because of bomb scares, held up in LA for a week during 9/11, lost my luggage in Hong Kong and been forced to change destinations because of rioting Tamil Tigers in Chennai.

What do you want to be doing in five years?

Still playing with frocks. Farmers offers great career paths and opportunities, so there will be plenty of challenges coming my way.

Advice to those interested in doing something similar?

The fashion industry provides many employment opportunities, whether you're buying, working for a supplier, wholesaling fabric, designing your own ranges or writing about others.

If you're passionate about fashion, there are many ways to get into the industry.