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Fashion Buying Internship: Emma Duflot at Galeries Lafayette

A Strategic Immersion in Retail

From her very first days at Galeries Lafayette, Emma joined a team working closely with brands and market managers. She contributes to preparing performance reports ahead of buying meetings and conducts trend and market studies to support strategic decision-making.

She also supports the private label product manager in developing collections and managing supplier relationships, gaining insight into the entire product development cycle, from selection to in-store launch.

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Q: Can you tell us about your role as a Buying Assistant at Galeries Lafayette?

Emma Duflot: My role consists of supporting the buying team and market managers in developing buying plans. I prepare performance results ahead of meetings with brands and conduct trend and market research.

I also assist the private label product manager in collection development and supplier relations.


Q: What motivated you to pursue this path in fashion?

Emma Duflot: Within the fashion industry, the role of buyer has always attracted me. It combines fashion, creativity, and human interaction, while also integrating a strong strategic dimension.


Q: How has this internship helped you strengthen your skills?

Emma Duflot: This internship allows me to confront the realities of the profession and learn from a very inspiring team.

I have developed a more strategic perspective on product selection by learning how to analyze results and place them in the context of market trends. At the same time, I continue to rely on my intuition when selecting products, which allows me to maintain a strong fashion sensibility while incorporating a more analytical approach.


Q: Which aspects of the job do you find the most stimulating?

Emma Duflot: The constant evolution of trends is very stimulating. You have to continuously monitor the market, analyze movements, understand customer expectations, and stay ahead of the curve. This ongoing monitoring requires curiosity and strong anticipation skills.

The human dimension is also essential, whether internally within the team or in exchanges with brands.


Q: How did your education at IFA Paris prepare you for this internship?

Emma Duflot: Trend analysis, marketing, and the fashion culture I developed during my Bachelor are essential in my current missions.

These foundations allow me to analyze collections with greater perspective, understand brand positioning, and identify the strategic stakes behind each product decision.

Q: What advice would you give to a student who would like to pursue a career in fashion buying?

Emma Duflot: I would advise following trends closely, practicing data analysis, and developing genuine curiosity about the market.

It is also important to direct early experiences toward this field, particularly through 2- to 3-month internships, in order to gain a concrete understanding of how buying works and confirm your interest in the profession.

 

Training for Careers in Buying and Retail

Fashion buying careers require a dual skill set: product sensitivity and analytical ability. Understanding trends, anticipating commercial performance, and collaborating with brands are key competencies in an industry that is constantly evolving.

At IFA Paris, the Fashion Business & Marketing pathway prepares students for these challenges by combining fashion culture, marketing strategy, and professional immersion.

Discover our programs and get ready to join the strategic professions of the fashion industry.