Learn The Skills That Set Great Buyers Apart

Real world tools to help you grow faster and lead with confidence

Whether you’re starting your career in fashion or looking to advance from merchandising to buying, the right fashion training makes all the difference. My online fashion courses combine fashion management principles with practical buying skills.

Test Your Fashion Buyer Skills Quiz

Thrive in fashion

Every buyer’s path looks a little different, but one thing is true:

the right skills open the door to bigger opportunities. Here, you’ll find the tools to learn those skills, apply them on the job, and take your next step forward faster.

See Where You Stand as a Buyer

Junior Buyer _ Take the Quiz

The “Are You Buyer-Ready” Quiz gives you a clear answer in minutes. You’ll see exactly where your strengths are, where the gaps lie, and when to focus on first so you can grow faster without second guessing yourself.hether you are looking to make a transition from another role or have graduated from fashion college this course will make you feel like you have a starting point of learning how to work in a business setting and fill  the gaps  in your fashion buying knowledge.

Take Your First Step Toward Buyer-Level Confidence

learn the key commercial skills most people are never taught & that will make a huge difference

The Buyers Toolkit Masterclass

The Buyer’s Toolkit Masterclass is a focused, one-hour on-demand training that shows you exactly what separates “helpful” from “ready.” You’ll learn the commercial skills most people are never taught — the kind that make the difference between staying stuck in support mode and being trusted to lead. This training is clear, practical, and built for buyers who want to move up, without the guesswork.

Learn The Complete Skillset of an Exceptional Buyer

From concept to customer and everything in between. what to do , how to do it and why it is required

Thrive in Fashion Buying Course

I created  the Thrive in Fashion Buying Course because too many buyers are left to “figure it out” on the job. This course brings together everything I wish I’d had starting out. Thrive in Fashion Buying  is a comprehensive online fashion course covering the complete buying cycle from concept to consumer. You’ll master both fashion buying and fashion merchandising skills, learning the fashion management principles that senior buyers rely on. This isn’t just fashion training, it’s career transformation, explained clearly and applied to the real work you’re doing every day.

Inside this self-paced course, I’ll walk you through how to plan, trade, and lead with commercial confidence, using the same tools and decision-making frameworks senior buyers rely on. You’ll get structured on-demand lessons, real-world examples, and resources you can use right away — so you can stop guessing and start growing faster.

Keep Growing with Ongoing Support

Because bigger roles bring bigger challenges — and you shouldn't face them alone

As you grow, the challenges don’t stop, they just change. From managing bigger categories to leading a team, mentoring others, and handling tough conversations, each step brings new skills to master. That’s what the Membership is for. It gives you ongoing mentorship, practical tools, and a network of peers who get what you’re navigating. So you don’t have to figure it out alone — you’ll have the guidance and support to keep growing with confidence. 

here's what others are saying...

" The course contents are easy to understand and the way Elisabeth delivers the lessons it’s like having a live session rather than a recorded study, as everything has been made pretty easy to visualise while listening and reading "

Rishi T
5IG_squares

Meet Elisabeth

Elisabeth Mac Hale_ Fashion Buying Consultant_CEO The Design Directive

hello!

I’m Elisabeth

I’ve spent over 25 years in fashion, hiring, training, and mentoring buyers at every level. I know the challenges because I’ve been there myself, and I’ve made it my mission to give buyers the clarity and skills they often don’t get on the job. So, I created these resources to give you what I wish I’d had earlier in my career—clear, practical training that helps you grow with confidence.

Elisabeth

Fashion Buyer Range Planning

Not Sure What's Right For You ?

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Fashion Buying Office

Ready to see where you can grow as a Fashion Buyer?

Take the short 12-question “Are You Buyer-Ready?” quiz to see a snapshot of your skills

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Are You Buyer-Ready?

Don't miss this chance to discover what's really holding back your promotion.
This free 3-minute quiz reveals:
• Your buyer readiness level
• Where you're strongest (and where to grow)
• What trusted buyers do differently