This book explains the responsibilities of the fashion buyer. It is based partly on my own experience and on interviews undertaken during 2006 with buyers working for six different fashion companies, from assistant to managerial level, thereby offering a broad and current perspective on the buying function. Buying can be a lucrative career at all levels of the fashion market, as a wide range of skills is required to fulfil this demanding role. Buying fashion merchandise differs significantly from buying for other product types, owing to the relatively short life cycle of fashion items, the majority of which become obsolete within six months. It is this planned obsolescence which simultaneously boosts sales within the clothing industry through the constant introduction of new products, and constantly challenges buyers and designers to develop innovative and profitable clothing ranges.