Meet Your Feet
This project was completed for the 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund Case Study in Merchandising. Students were asked to act as Chief Merchant for a major fashion brand and curate a new product assortment informed by big data and emerging digital technologies. My goal was to build an assortment that delivered the right product, in the right place, at the right time—using tools such as predictive AI, machine learning, digital forecasting platforms, and performance data to support decision-making.
In addition to creating the assortment itself, the project required demonstrating how technology would improve the brand’s merchandising strategy, outlining a 6-month financial plan, developing a launch and distribution strategy, and establishing visual merchandising guidelines.
I began by selecting my brand and researching key challenges in the fashion industry, with a focus on inclusivity. I looked at where customers were being underserved and how an updated assortment could better reflect their needs, which helped define the core problem I wanted to solve.
Next, I explored how digital tools and data are used in merchandising, including AI trend forecasting, fit and sizing technologies, and platforms that connect internal data with market insights. This helped me identify which resources would meaningfully support the brand’s assortment strategy.
From there, I analyzed the brand’s existing product mix, pricing, and category gaps and used those insights to develop a concept that felt true to the brand while introducing more inclusive, data-informed opportunities. I built out the assortment and SKU plan with clear logic around pricing, COGS, and product roles.
I then refined the assortment using technology-supported insights on sizing, color, and inventory levels to make the product mix more accurate and intentional. Finally, I created a 6-month financial plan, channel strategy, and visual merchandising guidelines to show how the assortment would launch, perform, and show up consistently across touchpoints.
Merchandising strategy & SKU planning
Consumer and trend research
Data-supported decision-making
Brand Analysis & Competitive Positioning
Assortment architecture
Pricing and forecasting
Microsoft Excel for financial modeling
Adobe Creative Cloud for visual design
Visual merchandising direction
Strategic communication
Being awarded the Fashion Scholarship Fund scholarship recognized my work at a national level and highlighted my potential as an emerging professional in the industry. The scholarship opened doors to exclusive career development opportunities, including access to FSF’s network of mentors, alumni, and brand partners. It also provided entry into the Summer Scholar Series, where I received training from leaders across merchandising, design, strategy, and innovation. Beyond financial support, winning FSF offered national recognition, expanded my professional network, and created pathways toward internships and full-time roles with major fashion companies.
View The Full Case Study Here