This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to research local and international fashion themes and styles, and purchase fashion products for use in the development of fashion designs. It involves identifying sources for purchasing products to help develop designs and fashion directions.

The unit applies to purchases that can inspire new designs or assist in demonstrating ideas to meet a stakeholder design brief or the design needs of a product range or label. Work may be conducted in small to large scale workplaces in the textiles, clothing and footwear industry, and may involve individual and team activities.