As students are choosing their classes for the Spring Semester, State College clothing and shoe buyers are deciding which fashions to display in stores for the spring collection.

Six to 12 months before each season, buyers head to major fashion meccas such as New York City to view the latest styles and search for the trends of tomorrow.

"A fashion customer is always looking for something new," said Geri Jordan, manager of Bare Foot shoe store, 212 E. Calder Way.

Fashions originate on the runways of Europe with the haute couture, or high-fashion styles, which then travel to New York City. Jordan said buyers "get the flavor and feel of the New York styles" and then translate them to fit the image of the store they represent.

Manufacturers display their new merchandise in a variety of settings, including showrooms, wholesale stores and large national shows held two times a year in the nation's major cities.

Bob Neiderer, owner and buyer of Kelly's Shoes, 126 E. College Ave., said buyers and their customers are equally influenced by each other.

Before traveling to various national and regional fashion shows across the country, Neiderer spends time in the store watching the shoes customers pick up and look at and listening to what they say about particular styles. Often, he said, buyers can influence their clientele by introducing new styles that are popular in the fashion world.

But many times people in smaller communities, such as State College, are not ready for new styles. Neiderer said it takes about a year for the New York fashions to filter down to the mainstream.

Many different factors contribute to the decision-making process buyers face every season.

Buyers' personal preferences sometimes have an impact on the styles they choose, Jordan said, adding that buyers must use an open mind, think who they are representing and put the store's customers' taste above their own.

Gary Filkins, owner and buyer of New World, 118 S. Pugh St., and Rude Boyz, 200 W. College Ave., said he choses styles according to the value of the clothing, what he likes and what he thinks his customers will like and be able to afford.

When Bob Steinbach, partner and buyer of Towne Gentlemen, Towne Ladies and 110 Down Towne, all located at 110 E. College Ave, is previewing a line of clothing, he asks himself, "Is it 'saleable?' Is it affordable? Is it beautiful? Is it to die for?"

But fashion is fickle, and so are customers.

A major disappointment for buyers comes when they are confident and excited about a new look they have created and the public does not respond with the same enthusiasm, Jordan said.

The buying market used to be more glamorous, said Charlene Rosen, partner and buyer for Mr. Charles Shops Inc., 228 E. College Ave. But the country's economic situation leaves only a few companies able to afford to create ornate showrooms, hold fashion shows and employ models to display their merchandise, she said.

In the world of fashion, as in everything else in life, change is inevitable. Rosen said she is always on the lookout for new styles and color combinations.

"You can't stand still," she said. "If you stay still, you are nothing. You can never stop growing and changing."