The Merchandising case study prompt involved creating a product assortment, and determining the channels of distribution and the proper assortment across all channels. Our goal was to deliver the brands customers the product they desire, when they want it and to maximize sales. Financial, creative display concepts, marketing, and expansion ideas needed to be included in this project. This project seemed very daunting to me at first, but with the encouragement of my teachers, friends, and family I ended up completing something I am incredibly proud of!

This project was deeply based in research with additional creative elements, but I began by finding as much information as I could on social commerce trends, and the future of retail. I used platforms like Statista, Business Source Complete, WWD, and WGSN. All of these platforms helped me understand the market better, which then allowed me to be creative and see which direction I could help E.l.f. Cosmetics.

I organized all my research into a slide deck that creatively displayed everything I had found and introduced my product line, E.l.f. Body, and marketing ideas. Putting together the slide deck was my favorite aspect of the project because I got to use all the skills I had learned over college, and I got to work with a lot of Adobe platforms like Photoshop. There were a lot of trials and errors when it came to the actual layout of the slide deck, and what I ended up with is completely different than what I began with. I think that goes to show that the process of producing something of this size can take you in many different paths.

The end result of this case study is not only a professional slide deck that show cases my creative and analytical abilities, but also the opportunity to become a FSF Scholar. Seeing my ideas come to life in front of me because of my hard and diligent work was so fulfilling, and I am really proud of the content I created. I was able to develop my research skills, creative thought skills, writing skills, and Adobe skills because of this project. Hand placing all of the products inside the beauty vending machine in Photoshop is something I won’t forget.

Aside from the stress I got from this project not leaving my mind for 6 months, I really enjoyed creating this case study. It helped me understand which parts of the fashion industry I really enjoy, and dislike. I now know I don’t want to work in finance, which I probably could’ve told you from the start, and that I actually do have an interest in marketing as well as connecting with consumers.

I did not realize the scale of the Fashion Scholarship Fund when I began this case study. It turns out that is it a massive, and prestigious organization that has connections to major people and companies in the fashion industry. I plan on utilizing as many resources as I can from becoming an FSF Scholar, and I can’t wait to be part of this community for life.

I was invited to go to New York to share my case study at a gala that was also honoring Anna Wintour. Myself, and other scholars, were also invited to go to numerous panels at company headquarters such as Conde Nast and Nordstrom to hear from professionals about their careers. If I told 10 year old Ela now that she would be attending a gala in New York for a Research Award I won, one which honored Anna Wintour, she would never believe it. The FSF community has opened so many doors for me already, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had.