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Interview: Net-A-Porter Buyer

RanRan Li
Jun 13, 2016
3 min read

To all beautiful and lovely girls, it is my great pleasure to introduce that MONAVI has launched its initial event based on Great London. We are targeting people who are big fans of fashion and art. Fashion is a broad topic; for some people, it means a lot. We acre color trends as well as textile trends, and care about how people work at fashion-related departments and how these people deal with social media, big data and so on. In addition, MONAVI also involves people who love life, just like Tong. As one of our interviewees, Tong is from the procurement department of the biggest online luxury shopping site—NET-A-PORTER. Our conversation with Tong covers NET-A-PORTER’s brand image, management of customer relationship, internship, as well as some gossips about the former president of NET-A-PORTER.

Hi, how are you? What have you been up to?

Great! I was so busy last week, lots of meeting. The discount season has begun in the UK.

What did you read?

Well, I have no time to read a book, when I go home, just want to laying on the sofa and think nothingempty my mind. but I do watch some Korea TV series which names

I know that NAT-A-PORTER is expending to China, share with us your perspective on being Chinese and how that affects your work?

There no different, because we are doing a online luxury platform, everyone is a peace of the giant. Around 2012, I started communication with NET-A-PORTER Hong Kong department, all this city NET-A-PORTER going to is all cosmopolitan city.

What are the different (some of the biggest differences) between selling your products locally in CHINA compared to international market sales?

I think there are not much vital differences to many counties, especially we are doing luxury stuffs. One of a few special is the size in Asia (around 4 to 5 average) is smaller then western.

How did you get into this area? What is beauty to you?

Because my major is fashion, the fashion/fresh ambience in London it better then my hometown, when I graduated from my university and looking for a job that I like and could give me a work visa. I have sent two companies that I dreaming working for, but did got any reply. Then I got a chance from NET-A-PORTER, so I came and stayed. I like this working ambience and London, if I don’t accept this job maybe I will be working at other companies that not related to fashion. That is not I want.

What did you do at “NAT-A-PORTER “internship?

Actually, it is a long story. When I was a undergraduate student, my major is fashion communication. NET-A-PORTER is doing promotion in our school at that time, I wrote a CV, going to theme’s internship. Then at my master pried I also has internship in this company, although it is no salary. And then, I become a Formal employee.

Which story in your portfolio are you most proud of?

I don’t know. Making a lots of money? Earning money by myself make me feel confidence, I really heat the feeling that all the money I spending is from my family support.

What do you think about 2017/2018 women wear’s selling trend? Which brand will be the hottest sale brand?

Defiantly GUCCI, since they changed the designer, everything changed. Also ADDIDAS cooperation between brands and top stars; and a one brand that I very like, Vetements (http://vetementswebsite.com ). Anyway, innovation and cooperation is importance.

Which brand goanna decrease the selling?

In my personal opinion, I think is KENZO, they are doing the same design all the time, lack of innovation and they don’t have hottest famous product, as Givenchy as well. But Givenchy is much famous then KENZO, those brand might maintain or decrease the seals at the recent future. Also Thom brown, they probably can not maintain the Product life cycle well.

What have you learned from mistakes on the fashion job?

I was so depressed about going to the wrong way at my job. At this time, especially at the UK, fast fashion and designer brand is the most fascinating way to target customer. You know our job is a mount of analysis so much data, brand reports and companies reports. We need should know which product is the trend, then decide the quantity of this goods. Sometimes if I did not do it well, it will loss lots of money.

What challenges are you looking for in your job area?

I know you are making a magazine; NAT-A-PORTER also has our own magazine. That’s not my job duty, but I think as a fashion industry worker, I could give you some help at targeting customer or business model.