How I Got Here: Incu’s Womenswear Buyer on merging her creative and analytical mind

“The market can be pretty competitive when it comes to buying roles, so showing that you are keen to learn really sets you apart from other candidates.”

Have you ever stalked someone on LinkedIn and wondered how on earth they managed to land that wildly impressive job? While the internet and social media might have us believe that our ideal job is a mere pipe dream, the individuals who have these jobs were, believe it or not, in the same position once, fantasising over someone else’s seemingly unattainable job.

But behind the awe-inspiring titles and the fancy work events lies a heck of a lot of hard work. So what lessons have been learnt and what skills have proved invaluable in getting them from daydreaming about success to actually being at the top of their industry?

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Welcome to How I Got Here, where we talk to women who are killing it in their respective fields about how they landed their awe-inspiring jobs, exploring the peaks and pits, the failures and the wins, and most importantly the knowledge, advice and practical tips they’ve gleaned along the way.

This week, we were lucky enough to hear from Incu’s Womenswear Buyer, Fabienne McCreary. Fabienne has been in the role for close to three years now – it’s a far cry from her days spent studying ancient history at King’s College in London. With a decade of buying experience under her stylish belt, Fabienne knows the importance of staying grounded despite working in a fast-paced environment. Here, she shares some of her best career advice for fellow fashion lovers.

What do you do and what’s your official job title?

My official job title is Womenswear Buyer. I’m responsible for sourcing new brands, selecting all the products you see in Incu stores, as well as trading the department. I work with [Incu’s] Planner to decide seasonal budgets for each brand and make sure each brand is working well during each season.

Take us back to when you were first starting out. Did you study to get into your chosen field, or did you start out with an internship/entry-level role and climb the ladder? Tell us the story.

I actually studied ancient history at university, so nothing to do with fashion! My mum was a designer though, so I was always familiar with the industry. I interned in a buying department during my final year at university and then joined a graduate scheme once I finished as a buying assistant. From there I worked my way up. Over the years I have bought most categories within womenswear, for a mix of high street and luxury brands across both product development and selection buying roles.

I have been with Incu for almost three years now. Prior to that, I was living in London (where I am from originally) buying womenswear for Fenwick, a London-based department store group. I decided to make the move over to Australia after visiting for a holiday. After having lived in London my whole life, I decided it was time for a change!

What challenges/hurdles have you faced getting to where you are now? Can you tell us about one in particular?

I wouldn’t say there has been one in particular, but there is always an element of self-doubt when you are making big decisions or putting your name to something. What if I’m totally wrong with this one?! I think no matter how much experience you have, there will always be an element of imposter syndrome; it’s learning how to overcome it and back[ing] yourself.

What do you want people to know about your industry/your role?

Gaining industry experience is so important! If you are looking to work in the industry, gaining some kind of work experience is invaluable. The market can be pretty competitive when it comes to buying roles, so showing that you are keen to learn really sets you apart from other candidates. Be willing to start from the bottom and work yourself up.

What’s the best part about your role?

The best part is definitely the travel and getting to build relationships with brands and suppliers overseas. I travel to Paris and Milan four times a year for fashion week and although it can be tiring, finding new brands and getting to catch up with existing partners is always worth it.

What would surprise people about your role?

That it’s not as glamorous as it sounds! Particularly when travelling – lots of late nights and early mornings can mean you are permanently exhausted. The good thing, though, is that the busy periods come and go – there are definitely quieter months within the year where you steal some downtime.

What skills have served you well in your industry?

Being able to combine both a creative and analytical mind! Being a buyer is not just about choosing pieces that you like – there is a lot of number crunching and a lot of Excel spreadsheets involved, so it’s important to be able to use both [skill sets] together in order to build the best brand mix and edit for the business and customer.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a role like yours one day?

Never underestimate the importance of building and maintaining relationships. The industry can be very small; you never know who you will come across again, so it’s really important to maintain strong relationships both internally and externally.

What about a practical tip?

Definitely take advantage of the quiet periods! When you are busy, you are extremely busy. It can be hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance, so it’s really important to make the most of the quieter months for some much-needed R&R!

Keep up with Incu’s womenswear latest collections here.

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