Zara Clark Flat 45, Brae Court,

Kingston Hill, KT2 7QHEmail: zclark@bouxavenue.com

Mobile: 07896637742

Education and Qualifications

July 2015: Won the ‘Best Overall Student for Buying and Merchandising Award’ from University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion.

September 2012 – July 2015: Completed my BA Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and graduated with a Merit Plus (2:1) Grade

Completed my dissertation on stock distribution methods for multi-channel retailers. Skilled in creating and analysing key Merchandising Excel Spreadsheets such as the OTB, WSSI, Weekly Sales Plan, Line Sheet and

BTA. Skilled in areas of Buying, such as creating Visual Range Plans, Trend Boards and managing the Critical Path.

July 2014: Completed my Foundation Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and graduated with a Merit Plus (2:1) Grade

March 2014: Completed EDCL Advanced Excel Course and Passed EDCL Advanced Excel Exam

April – June 2013: Fourth Place in the ‘The John Lewis Project’ As part of a University Competition, I was required to design, create and plan a Menswear Capsule Collection for John Lewis. I

worked with a Designers, Visual Merchandisers, Marketers and I was part of the Buying and Merchandising Team. I found that collaborating together provided experience of working in a Head Office Team, similarly working alongside John Lewis’ Head Office Team gave me invaluable experience in the professional retail world.

September 2006 – June 2012: Sullivan Upper School 4 A-levels: Mathematics (A) English Literature (A) Art and Design (B) Chemistry (D) 4 AS-levels: Art (B), English (B), Chemistry (B), Mathematics (A) 11 GCSEs: (4 A*’s, 5 A’s, 2 B’s) including Additional Mathematics, Mathematics, English Language, English Literature & Triple

Award Science. Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (Bronze and Silver)

Employment

March 2016 – Current: Senior Allocator for Boux Avenue I am responsible for the Lingerie section of the business. I analyse sales, manage markdowns, allocate to stores, and manage the intake

going into the warehouse. I also assist franchise with their stock orders and the wholesale division with orders for third-party brands that stock Boux product. I am heavily involved with all channels across the business, working with Ecommerce in particular to ensure stock levels and therefore sales are maximized.

March 2015 – March 2016: Allocator for Viyella (part of the Austin Reed Group) I monitor the performance of the Knitwear section, Outerwear and Accessories sections, ensuring that stock is managed efficiently to

maximize sales, that there is ample replenishment of the bestsellers and that stock is allocated to the best stores for the product. I look after all bookings and intake orders for Viyella. I am skilled at raising Purchase Orders, creating size ratios for orders and performing tasks to assist the Assistant Merchandiser such as analyzing sales, suggesting markdowns, helping with trade meetings and training new allocators.

March 2009 – November 2011: Part-time Co-operative Employee I worked as a Customer Sales Assistant within the store, dealing with customers and managing finances daily at the till. It was also my

responsibility to replenish stock and keep the store presentable.

Work Experience

August 2014 – 2 Weeks: Merchandising Internship in ‘House of Fraser’ I interned with the Branded Handbags Team assisting them with numerous Spreadsheets like creating Buyer’s Bibles for example.

They showed me how they complete their WSSI’s, how to analyse line sheets and I organized meetings at designated House of Fraser stores for the Product Manager.

July 2014 – 2 Weeks: Buying Internship in ‘House of Fraser’ I interned with the Linea Formal Women’s Wear Team and they allowed me to list Products online, complete store visits, assist at fit

meetings, talk to suppliers, organize samples to be sent back to suppliers and I helped them to clear out their catalogue of past season samples.

February 2014 – 1 Month Block: Merchandising Internship in ‘ASOS’ I interned with the Menswear Own-Brand Jersey Team who introduced me to their systems such as Merret, BackOffice, Lima and

AgileZen. It was my responsibility to maintain strong bonds with Suppilers, update PO’s, amend styles, put styles live on ASOS.com and aid in the completion of numerous Spread Sheets to track sales, analyse data and work out size ratios.

July 2013 – 1 Month Block: Summer Buying Internship in ‘Belfast Vintage’ Whilst interning at one of Belfast City’s biggest vintage stores over the summer, I was shown how to manage daily operations

including client communication, customer service, garment sales within the store and staff management. I was also able to work closely with their Head Office, who taught me about purchasing and maintaining stock throughout the Spring/Summer Season.

November 2010 – 1 Week Block: Buying Work Experience in ‘Best Vintage’ I was shown the reigns of a working retail shop environment, was given responsibility of looking after the quality of the garments,

making sales with use of the till, helping with store set up and making creative and inviting window displays.

October 2009 – 1 Week Block: Runner at Belfast Fashion Week My duties as a runner at Belfast Fashion Week included organizing seats, guests and goodie bags for those attending.

Relevant Skills

Planning and Organisation

I had to organise myself and my cross-course team during 'The John Lewis Project’ to ensure work was to schedule. I had to maintain my organization as a Customer Sales Assistant to ensure the tasks I had been set were achieved according to

schedule. I have to effectively organise my time in order to meet University deadlines. I understand the importance of maintaining accurate and detailed plans in order to more effectively manage my time and value both

short-term and long-term planning.

Reliability and Responsibility

It was my sole responsibility to complete the vast number of Spread Sheets during 'The John Lewis Project' which called on my wide mathematical and computing knowledge.

I was given the responsibility to replenish areas of stock during my internship at Belfast Vintage. During my retail experience, I have been responsible for dealing with angry customers, transactions at the till and the general

appearance and cleanliness of the till area. I have maintained excellent attendance records throughout my work and education. Any role I have undertaken has required a high-standard of time-keeping, appearance and meticulousness.

Communication

In my part time job, I had to maintain strong links and communication with the rest of the staff on site. During University projects, I have to keep others informed of progress so that work is distributed and efficiently managed. In the case of the ‘John Lewis Project’, I regularly held meetings to let team members pitch ideas and have an input into the final

collection to be presented to the Heads of the John Lewis Department. This proved particularly effective, as it allowed our pitch to be perfected and professional which earned us high praise from the judges.

Teamwork

At University I am regularly put into groups for projects, such as the ‘John Lewis Project’ which saw me working smoothly with a large number of my peers in other cross-course teams of all backgrounds and ages.

I had to work as part of a network during my part-time job to ensure tasks set by Senior Management were achieved and targets were met.

Creative Skills

I have a wide range of creative skills under my belt such as drawing, painting, clay work, felting, dry point printing but particularly in textile work.

These transferable skills have supported me in my University work where I have created many Photoshop Mood/Trend Boards, PowerPoint Presentations, well presented Spread Sheets and organized reports.

My creative skills have also aided me greatly in retail as my knowledge of textiles and fabric allows me to communicate ideas effectively with others such as Designers, Visual Merchandisers and Marketers, which I had to do during ‘The John Lewis Project’.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

Sewing and Pattern MakingPlaying BadmintonJu-JitsuLearning GuitarFollowing Fashion and attending ShowsPhotographyReading Blogs such as FashionVibe and StyleBubbleMaintaining and editing my own Fashion Blog

References can be made available on request