Visual Merchandising is an integral part to the function of any store. Think of how a store would look if you walked in and nothing was organized; it was just racks and racks and racks of clothing. Visual Merchandisers help us make sense of shopping, they guide us subtly through the latest trends and colour palettes, all while making the garments look ultimately appealing. It’s a job that requires a creative eye, but a strong sense of the fashion business, too. I had the chance to chat with Van Hoang, a fantastic visual merchandiser from Toronto, about what exactly this sought after job entails.

Style Nine to Five: How did you get your start in the fashion industry?

Van: I got my start in fashion at Pull as a sales associate. They made a lot of cool, Japanese inspired clothing that was really trendy at the time. After that, I moved on to Style Exchange as a manager, where I learned how to merchandise and found my passion!

SNTF: What’s the best part of your job?

V: Interacting with customers, the space to be creative and creating wall compositions! I love knowing that my merchandising has helped to lead customers in the right direction.

SNTF: What advice would you give to those looking to make a career in visual merchandising?

V: Learn the trends! If you love a company and want to work for them, really learn their style. Have a passion for what you do and have respect for the garment, so you can present it in the best fashion.

SNTF: What does your job entail on a day to day basis?

V: I wear many hats! No day is exactly the same when you’re working in retail. My days consist of a healthy mix of operational and visual duties.

SNTF: What qualities are most important for visual merchandising?

V: Eye for style, confidence and a willingness to get your hands dirty!

SNTF: How do you see the industry changing in the next five years?

V: Fashion is constantly merging past and present. I believe social media is going to become an increasingly important part of our job in terms of inspiration and creativity but also as a barometer for our own success. I think this is a growing field, and with e-commerce, we have additional opportunities in web styling.

All images courtesy of Van Hoang.

By Zoe Alexandra Torell, Toronto

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