From Boston
Tim Lemp contributes to Boston’s fashion scene via Visual Merchandising.
By Alison Harris
Boston used to be the kind of city where fashion wasn’t quite as popular as intellect or sports, but today’s Boston offers everything from global chic to lesser known cutting-edge designers. One person on the Boston fashion scene, Tim Lemp, contributes to the industry’s vibrancy through the art of Visual Merchandising. Tim has held many positions at popular fashion destinations: “My experience in retail and fashion has taken many forms over the years. From fast fashion to luxury department stores to companies that are brand new to the US, I've seen my fair share of the various facets of the industry. Having seen that much gave me the ability to be selective when I was interviewing, and the job I do now is easily the one at which I've been the happiest.”
Tim enjoys the business and artistry of his role: “Visual Merchandisers do a bit of everything, really. The main purpose is to drive sales by making sure the store looks fantastic. There are the obvious aspects of that (window displays, painting, clothing placement, flower arrangements, inspirational mannequin outfits and table displays), but I also analyze numbers every week and react to that by shifting product, pushing for more of what's selling the best, and sending feedback to my manager. There's more operational work to it than most people guess.”
“Other than word of mouth and advertising, window displays are the main thing that gets people to come into a store,” shared Tim. He is not impressed by the cost of an item: “I don't think that price has very much at all to do with looking stylish. I never pay exorbitant amounts for my clothing, and yet here I am in an article about fashion. Follow your sense of style, and be confident in your brand.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Lemp, Boston-based Visual Merchandiser, on a business man's holiday!
Alison Harris, is a communications professional in Greater Boston. She served in Governor Patrick’s administration, held three rising PR positions at Harvard, wrote for the Boston Herald, and worked for Liz Claiborne and Tommy Hilfiger.
