Category: Science and Cosmetics

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Buying, Merchandising and Supply Chain Science and Cosmetics

Trend Forecasting

Trend forecasting in fashion involves predicting future styles, colours, fabrics, and consumer preferences by analysing current and past trends, market data, and cultural influences. Forecasters study customer behaviour, attend fashion shows, explore street style, and examine online search patterns to spot emerging trends. Their insights help fashion brands, designers, and retailers plan ahead, ensuring products stay relevant and appeal to what consumers will want next. Creating detailed reports is a key part of the role, as these help companies make informed decisions about design, marketing, and stock planning.

Early career roles in this field often support research, reporting, and collaboration with designers, media teams, and marketing professionals. Strong observational skills, creativity, and an understanding of cultural and industry shifts are important. Digital skills, such as managing databases and staying active on social media, are also valuable for spotting and sharing trends. Although trend forecasting is a niche area, students can enter the field from backgrounds like fashion design, marketing, or merchandising.

These roles can be in-house with a larger brand, working for a dedicated trend forecasting company or even part time contracts and freelancing consultancy roles.

Examples of roles within Trend Forecasting:
  • Trend Forecaster
  • Trend Researcher
  • Junior/Assistant/Senior Trend Analyst
  • Junior/Assistant/Senior Product Analyst
  • Consumer Insights Analyst
Tanikha (Renzo) Allen showing her portfolio UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in trend forecasting:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Ziqi Ga, 2022 MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photograph: Ben Turner
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Science and Cosmetics

Regulatory Affairs

Regulatory is responsible for ensuring the compliance of new and existing products. Regulatory affairs play a crucial role in navigating compliance frameworks and ensuring that products meet legal, safety, and quality standards.

They check quality control issues and safety, implementing current legislation to products. This can include making sure packaging is compliant globally. They work with Procurement, Marketing and Technical Departments. These roles have direct progression from Graduate Level to Senior Regulators.

Examples of roles within Regulatory Affairs:
  • Regulatory Assistant
  • Technical Assistant
  • Regulatory Technologist
  • Product Safety Assistant
  • Quality Control/Assurance
Tahiya Hossain in the studio | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson,
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Regulatory Affairs:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Tahiya Hossain in the studio | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
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Science and Cosmetics

Research and Formulation

Research and formulation is a lab-based department, working with raw materials. They prepare samples, keep accurate records of batch trials and make formulas to specification. This department also handles colour matching, sensory testing and stability of products.

Different labs may look at different types of products, e.g. powder, skincare or lipstick. Careers in research and formulation can lead to Senior Development Chemist roles.

Examples of roles within Research and Formulation:
  • Formulation Development Assistant
  • Chemist
  • Lab Technician
  • Research and Development Technician
Alchemical Mycology, Jesse Adler, 2022 MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, UAL | Photograph: Tom Manion and Chris Ould
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Research and Formulation:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Cosmetic Science equipment, London College of Fashion, UAL | Photograph: Ana Blumenkron
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Culture, Community and Heritage Science and Cosmetics

Identity, Health and Wellbeing

The identity and wellbeing field in the creative industries focuses on improving mental, emotional, and physical health through arts and cultural activities. This area promotes collaboration between health services and creative practitioners, supporting community wellbeing through workshops, creative events, and social engagement projects. Organisations in this field aim to reconnect individuals with creativity, nature, and each other, often working with vulnerable or isolated groups to enhance their quality of life.

Entry-level roles in this area can begin in social media, content creation, community support, and even HR, all of which use creative skills to promote positive health messages and build supportive communities. These roles often involve creating digital content, managing engagement campaigns, and planning events to raise awareness and encourage participation. A passion for creativity and helping others is essential for a career in this rewarding and growing sector.

Examples of roles within identity, health and wellbeing:
  • Wellbeing Lead/Coordinator/Practitioner
  • Employee Health and Wellbeing Advisor
  • Coaches
  • Artist Supervisor
  • Public Relations and Communications Assistant
  • Artist
  • Bid Writer
  • Theatre Practitioner
  • Participation Producer
  • Creative Producer/Facilitator
  • Experience Officer
  • Researcher
  • Exhibitions Assistant
  • Community and Outreach Coordinator
  • Communities Fund Programme Assistant
Colourful letters by Mo Zhou, Graduate showcase
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in identity, health and wellbeing:
  • All LCF Courses could lead to a career in identity, health and wellbeing.

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Pride in London 2024, UAL | Photograph: Orlando Callegaro
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Business and Management Communications and Marketing Science and Cosmetics

Data and Analytics

Data and analytics roles in the fashion and creative industries focus on collecting and interpreting information to help brands make smarter decisions. Data analysts examine everything from customer feedback and sales to social media trends and website traffic, using this insight to spot patterns, forecast demand, and support areas like marketing, design, and operations. Their work helps businesses better understand their audiences and stay ahead of changing trends.

To succeed in this field, analysts need strong skills in data handling, statistical analysis, and communication. They turn raw data into clear reports and visualizations that guide product development, improve customer experience, and enhance efficiency. As brands increasingly rely on data-driven strategies, careers in data and analytics offer exciting opportunities for those interested in technology, business, and creativity.

Examples of roles within Data and Analytics:
  • Data Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Retail Analyst
  • Sales and Insights Manager
  • Web/Digital Analyst
  • Junior/Senior Pricing Analyst
  • E-Commerce Strategy Analyst
Giampaolo Zirone, 2022 MA Data Visualisation, London College of Communication, UAL
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Data and Analytics:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Clarice (Tze Ching) Lam, 2022 MA Data Visualisation, London College of Communication, UAL
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Product Development

Product development in the cosmetics and science industries involves creating, formulating, and testing new beauty and personal care products that are safe, effective, and meet consumer needs. This area combines creativity with scientific knowledge, especially in chemistry and biology, to turn ideas into real products. Professionals in this field research new ingredients and technologies, track trends, and ensure products align with market demand and regulations.

Product developers work closely with teams across marketing, packaging, and manufacturing to bring a product from concept to launch. They translate ideas into formulas, run tests, and evaluate performance to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry. This career path offers the opportunity to grow into leadership roles like Head of Department, or branch into related fields like marketing or consultancy. It’s ideal for those interested in innovation, problem-solving, and making an impact on what ends up on store shelves.

Examples of roles within Product Development:
  • Product Technologist
  • Product Lifecycle Specialist
  • Product Development Assistant/Manager
  • Cosmetic Scientist
  • Cosmetic Chemist
  • Skincare Specialist
MSc Cosmetic Science facilities and workshops | London College of Fashion | UAL
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Product Development:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Tahiya Hossain in the studio | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
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Communications and Marketing Science and Cosmetics

Psychology and Insights

The Psychology and Insights field in the fashion and creative industries focuses on understanding human behaviour to improve how people experience, interact with, and are impacted by fashion. Roles in this area explore how psychological principles can inform design, marketing, and consumption habits, aiming to make the industry more mindful, ethical, and people-centred. Fashion psychologists, for example, help brands understand consumer behaviour and support individuals in making choices aligned with personal identity and wellbeing.

This field is growing quickly as people become more conscious of the emotional and social reasons behind their fashion choices. Careers in psychology and insights combine research, ethics, and creativity, ideal for students interested in both people and culture. It requires skills in research design, data analysis, communication, and critical thinking, which can lead to roles in consumer insight, trend forecasting, behavioural research, or wellbeing strategy within fashion and creative businesses.

Examples of roles within Psychology and Insights:
  • Market Researcher
  • Consumer Insights Specialist
  • Consumer Behaviour Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Fashion Psychologist
  • Chartered Psychologist
  • Fashion Writer
  • Lecturer
  • Trends/Fashion Consultant
Marianne Majluf in the studio | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
London College of Fashion courses relevant to careers in Psychology and Insights:

This list is not exhaustive. It is only an indication of directly connected LCF Courses.

Illustration and collage by Kaya Belmont, 2023 Design Pathway, London College of Fashion, UAL | Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
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