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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fashion Coordinator

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

FashionCoordinationStylingCreativeMerchandising

🎯 Role Definition

The Fashion Coordinator is a crucial support role at the intersection of creativity and logistics. You will be the central hub for sample management, photoshoot production, and administrative support for the fashion and styling teams. Your primary objective is to ensure the seamless execution of creative projects, from initial concept to final asset delivery. This position requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who can anticipate needs, manage multiple priorities, and maintain clear communication across various departments, including design, merchandising, marketing, and PR.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fashion Intern
  • Showroom Assistant
  • Retail Stylist or Visual Merchandiser

Advancement To:

  • Senior Fashion Coordinator
  • Associate Stylist
  • Photoshoot Producer
  • Assistant Merchandiser

Lateral Moves:

  • PR Coordinator
  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Assistant Buyer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously manage the entire lifecycle of fashion samples, including receiving, cataloging, tagging, and organizing all incoming and outgoing merchandise.
  • Maintain a highly organized physical and digital sample closet, ensuring all items are accounted for and in pristine, shoot-ready condition.
  • Coordinate the logistics of sample trafficking between internal departments (Design, Merchandising, PR) and external partners (photo studios, PR agencies, influencers).
  • Act as the primary on-set assistant during photoshoots, helping with model dressing, look preparation, and maintaining product organization to ensure a smooth workflow.
  • Prepare and organize merchandise for all photoshoots, including steaming, pinning, and creating detailed look lists in collaboration with the Head Stylist.
  • Support the creation of comprehensive style guides and visual mood boards for upcoming seasons, campaigns, and creative projects.
  • Conduct ongoing market and trend research to identify emerging styles, key competitor activities, and new creative talent (photographers, models, etc.).
  • Liaise with external vendors, including photography studios, modeling agencies, and freelance artists, to coordinate bookings, schedules, and deliverables.
  • Manage the procurement of props, accessories, and other necessary items for photoshoots, ensuring all elements align with the creative direction.
  • Assist in styling and look-building sessions, pulling relevant products and providing administrative support to the styling team.
  • Document and track all products shot on-set, ensuring accurate information is captured for post-production and e-commerce teams.
  • Oversee the post-shoot sample return process, ensuring all merchandise is returned to the appropriate vendors or departments in a timely manner.
  • Prepare and maintain the fashion showroom for market appointments, press days, and internal presentations, ensuring it is visually appealing and on-brand.
  • Create and manage purchase orders, process invoices, and track departmental expenses to ensure projects stay within budget.
  • Facilitate clear and consistent communication between the creative, marketing, and merchandising teams to ensure alignment on all projects.
  • Maintain and update all departmental calendars, including shoot schedules, project deadlines, and key market dates.
  • Assist in casting for models and talent for e-commerce, editorial, and campaign photoshoots, organizing casting calls and maintaining a talent database.
  • Pack and unpack trunks for on-location shoots, creating detailed carnets and packing lists to ensure no items are lost.
  • Support the organization and execution of special projects and events, such as fashion shows, press previews, and influencer events.
    or look-books.
  • Take ownership of the digital asset library for styled imagery, ensuring files are correctly named, organized, and accessible to relevant teams.
  • Provide general administrative support to the senior fashion and creative leadership, including scheduling meetings and preparing presentation materials.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with the preparation and breakdown of market appointments and industry trade shows.
  • Support the PR team by coordinating sample loans for editorial placements and influencer collaborations.
  • Manage and update contact lists for models, photographers, stylists, and other external creative partners.
  • Handle expense reporting, invoice processing, and budget tracking for the styling and creative departments.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Google Workspace for creating spreadsheets, presentations, and documents.
  • Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) for creating mood boards and basic image edits.
  • Experience with or ability to quickly learn sample tracking or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.
  • Strong knowledge of fashion terminology, garment construction, and fabric types.
  • Basic understanding of photoshoot production processes and on-set etiquette.
  • Competence in digital file management and organization.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all tasks, from sample tagging to scheduling.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
  • A proactive, problem-solving mindset with the ability to anticipate needs and take initiative without direct supervision.
  • High level of adaptability and composure when working under pressure and with tight deadlines.
  • A collaborative, team-player attitude with a positive and resourceful approach to challenges.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain professional relationships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Merchandising or Management
  • Fashion Design
  • Marketing or Communications
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3 years of relevant experience in a fashion-related role (e.g., internship, assistant, coordinator).

Preferred:

  • Previous experience in a corporate fashion environment, styling studio, PR agency, or e-commerce setting is highly preferred.
  • Direct experience with sample management and photoshoot coordination is a significant plus.