What's life like at Harvey Nichols..

Vikki started as a Department Assistant at House of Fraser 12 years ago where she worked her way up through the levels to Assistant Buyer. After traveling for a year Vikki returned to Buying and continued her career progression.

Vikki has held buying positions at Fenwicks, (Bentalls), House of Fraser and now Harvey Nichols and has always been in Womenswear, from fast fashion High Street to Contemporary collections.
Vikki is currently working on Leisurewear which is the denim, young contemporary and casual collections, and which (and I quote) “I love the assortment!”

With such a great career progression I was interested to ask Vikki more:

How and why did you first start in the fashion industry?

VK - I joined House of Fraser as a Department Assistant after working on the shop floor in a Wallis concession. I instantly loved the pace and excitement of working within a buying office and knew that that was what I wanted to do.

Can you tell us about the role of the Harvey Nichols Buyer of Leisurewear?

VK - We have a wide assortment of product within Leisurewear including the denim category and fashion collections. We are buying right through the year! Seasonality is becoming less of a focus versus the delivery month.  

We are launching the newly refurbished 4th floor in Knightsbridge (25th January) that will showcase Contemporary Collections. We wanted 3rd floor (Leisurewear) to retain its own identity and so have developed a new slightly faster/younger offer, in addition to our core deconstructed/casual assortment, for Spring. Customers will be pleasantly surprised to see our new assortment in terms of pace and price point. It’s been exciting to buy for.

What is your favourite part of your job?

VK - Product! I still get so excited by a great collection, or finding something new and niche. Harvey Nichols is an edited interpretation of fashion so it’s a pleasure selecting for a directional and intelligent customer.

Do you have a hot tip or brand (BKS – best kept secret) you can share with us for the S/S 2010 season?

VK - I’m really excited about having worked with collections to create ‘Exclusive to Harvey Nichols’ pieces. We have a great leather biker coming from 2812, and really edgy denim options from Current Elliott, J Brand, C.R.A.F.T and other houses.

My personal favourite collection for Spring was Inside Out (contemporary monochrome printed pieces, all designed and manufactured here in England). And my favourite jeans currently are from Nobody. The fit is fantastic and it’s still niche enough to be interesting.

If we banned you from shopping in Harvey Nichols where would you go to shop and why?

VK - Relik (vintage shop).. They are the Harvey Nichols of vintage!

What would you like for Christmas (if money was no object!)?

VK - A rose gold vintage Rolex from Watch Guru please…..