– Attend the best fashion-related school that you can, and get your BA. A BA is the entry level requirement for most buyer training programs, like the ones with Macy’s and Bloomies.

– Or attend a decent four year school and get a bachelor’s in fashion business, regular business, or something related, and do a co-op or two, then apply to the buyer training programs at Macy’s or Bloomies.

For the best fashion program in the US, look to the Fashion Institute of Technology, in NYC. If that isn’t right for you, consider a reputable four year school instead, such as your local flagship state university (ala U Maryland College Park, or UMass Amherst, etc.) These places may not scream “fashion”, but they are solid and reputable, and that’s what you need.

No matter what you do, try to do a co-op or internship in retail management, or fashion buying, or what have you, with a large department store’s corporate. Get some experience before you leave school.

When you do graduate with your BA, apply to one of their management training programs. I’ll link to the two biggies, below.