The Successful Fashion Designer

Break free from the endless tweaking of social media and portfolio and start landing paid projects.  Discover how to prioritize your efforts, create an impactful Instagram profile, and leverage in-person connections to gain clients. Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and make real progress in your fashion design business.In this episode, we approach the common problem of being stuck in the "productive comfort zone" that many freelance fashion designers face.  Just like today's guest, Zoh Hollinger, you'll learn the solution lies in creating a visually clear Instagram profile, focusing on pitching, and leveraging in-person connections and trade show listings to land clients. Get ready for actionable tips to propel your fashion design career forward and leave behind unproductive habits. Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Want to know the ups and downs of building a fashion agency, navigating freelance work in fashion, and the incredible journey of transforming an inexperienced designer into a Clo 3D whiz?  Then this episode is just for you!In this episode, you'll hear how Kristen Anderson, a freelance fashion designer turned agency founder, took on a mammoth project that left her feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break. With pressure to go at lightning speed and a desire for control, Kristen shares her experience of building her team, switching up her pricing model, and even jetting off to Sri Lanka to bring her lingerie brand to life. And if that's not intriguing enough, she spills the details on a remarkable success story of a newbie designer who left and came back transformed. Plus, Kristen dishes out invaluable tips on optimizing LinkedIn, managing client expectations, and the power of putting yourself out there. Trust us, this episode is a fashion-forward journey you don't want to miss!Kristen Anderson has been design

Are you tired of the rat race and longing for more control over your schedule? In this inspiring episode, textile designer Masha Khoruzhik shares her journey as a freelancer and how it transformed her life for the better.Masha's freelance career has brought her more than just financial success - it has allowed her to prioritize her mental and physical health, earn more money working fewer hours, and collaborate with renowned brands like Anthropologie. From setting boundaries with her clients to realizing the power of raising her rates, Masha's story is a testament to the freedom and fulfillment that comes with freelancing. Join us as she dives into the challenges she's faced, the surprising transformations in her life, and how taking control of your schedule can lead to a happier, more fulfilling career. Get ready to be inspired and reconsider the endless possibilities of freelance work!About Masha:With a background in illustration and painting, Masha specializes in bespoke textile design and prints for the h

Dreaming of working in the fashion industry and making money? Well, hold on tight because in this episode, we're diving deep into whether starting your own clothing line or freelancing as a fashion designer is more profitable. With personal experiences and insights from industry experts, you'll discover the surprising truth about which path will fill your pockets faster. Get ready to unlock the secrets of the fashion world and find out if your dream lies in launching a clothing brand or taking charge as a freelance fashion designer.Resources Mentioned in this episode:Sofia's Story: https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-brand-vs-freelancing/

Ever wondered how freelance technical designers review garment samples remotely? Look no further! In this episode, we join Heidi and guest Sarah Wattley as they discuss the ins and outs of this fascinating process. From deciding who receives the sample first, to marking up tech packs and coordinating Zoom sessions, Heidi lays out multiple options to navigate the sample review process efficiently. Discover the benefits of having two samples sent to different parties, and explore the role of pattern makers in the grand scheme of things. Whether you're a freelancer or a fashion enthusiast, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation on making remote sample reviews a breeze!Sara is a single mom of two trying to find that flexible balance between work and home life. Throughout her career, she has explored many areas within the fashion industry of her country and often faces logistical challenges when it comes to reviewing samples.  Sarah's dedication to her work and passion for the industry shine through h

Get ready to unlock your potential as a fashion design freelancer with expert tips on getting clients on autopilot, offering valuable solutions, and becoming a trusted partner in your clients' journey toward success!Working remotely in the fashion industry can have its challenges.  Like confusing language barriers, knowledge gaps, and even plackets! You're not alone and our guest today, Ted Griffith, tells all about his journey as a self-proclaimed accidental fashion entrepreneur. From starting his own athletic wear brand, Sexy Ted, to navigating the intricacies of working with freelancers and factories, Ted shares valuable insights and practical tips that will leave you itching to hear more! Dive into the world of fashion design with us and discover how to turn your passion into profit, all while embracing the joys and pitfalls of remote collaboration. Connect with Ted:Ted is an entrepreneur who loves to play squash and other racquet sports. He decided to start a clothing line because he didn’t like the fit,

Imagine freelancing for one of the biggest names in the fashion industry while still in fashion school!If you're thinking that's impossible, then listen to today's episode to hear how our guest, Jade Wei, a freelance pattern cutter, did just that - landing a freelance gig with Alexander McQueen!From interning to launching her own brand, Jade opens up about the unique path she took in the fashion industry. Discover how she consistently attracts clients, raises her prices, and maintains her creative freedom. With an uplifting and inspiring perspective on life, Jade shares her insights into both the fashion world and the journey of finding your own passion. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or simply someone looking for a boost of motivation, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your own unique path and create a brand that makes a meaningful impact.About Our GuestJade is a freelance designer based in London, specializing in 3D pattern-making, garment, and product development for brands with

Before accepting your next fashion design "freelance" gig, make sure it's not illegal.  I'm exposing the exploitative nature of these so-called "freelance" jobs in the fashion industry so you know the exact red flags to look for. Step away from that temp job in disguise and start looking for real remote freelance fashion design opportunities (or technical design, patternmaking, etc!).When you think of freelance fashion design, you *hopefully* imagine the freedom to work on your terms, choosing the projects that excite you. However, the reality can be far from that. Brands often label temp jobs as freelancing, but they expect you to work as an employee without offering any of the benefits. This imbalance allows brands to save money while taking advantage of your talent and dedication. Shockingly, in some places, this working arrangement is actually illegal. These exploitative practices in the industry put true freelance fashion jobs in a bad light.But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! In this episode,

If you've ever found yourself stuck in your comfort zone and in need of a little push to take your fashion design career to the next level, you're not alone and that's the exact strategies we'll be talking about in today's episode.We'll explore common struggles with seeking permission and the fear of hitting send on important pitches through the lens of our guest, Jacqueline Schumann's, career. But fear not, because this strategy session will provide the guidance and mindset strategies Jacqueline (and you!) needs to break free from her traditional education and employee mindset. Get ready for an empowering and insightful conversation on how to give yourself permission for success. You got this!About Jacqueline:Jacqueline and a freelance denim designer who works with small to midsize-conscious brands. She studied at FIDM where she learned how the industry works traditionally but after taking a break to have a family, as well as working in various industries, she lost her passion for it. Thankfully, she found i

Uncover this fashion designer's secrets to attracting clients and growing a successful agency, while also shedding light on the challenges and frustrations she faces when working with freelancers (and what you should do instead.)In this episode, Rachel Batterbee spills the secrets to growing your freelance fashion career, ways to expand your network, and insights on what frustrations she commonly runs into when working with freelancers. We dive into her experience starting Guided Makers and how she landed her first clients. Rachel shares her valuable insights on using LinkedIn as a powerful tool for networking and getting noticed by potential clients. And hey, for all you freelancers out there, Rachel also provides some eye-opening tips on working effectively with freelancers and avoiding common struggles. So whether you're just starting out or looking to amp up your fashion freelancing game, this episode has got you covered with expert advice from the one and only Rachel Batterbee! Our Industry Expert in thi

Welcome back to another episode of "Fashion Designers Get Paid"! Today we have a fantastic guest joining us - the talented Mari Medina, a freelance knitwear designer. In this episode, Mari will be sharing her journey of building and growing her fashion career as a fashion designer, navigating the world of freelancing, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. From the importance of hands-on experience to seeking feedback and constantly evolving, Mari's insights are sure to inspire and educate. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and get ready to dive into the world of freelance fashion design with Mari Medina. Let's get started! Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Welcome back, fashion friends! It's Heidi here, and I am beyond excited to announce that we're back with some BIG changes on the podcast!  Our break was far from idle - we've been reflecting, brainstorming, and working on some exciting things behind the scenes. But let's dive right into what you can expect from our revamped show!First off, we are zoning in on our ideal listeners. We want to reach fashion professionals who are feeling burnt out and looking for more opportunities in their careers. Maybe you're considering a couple of options but aren't sure if it's the right move or maybe you're unaware of the freelancing option. No matter where you are in your fashion journey, this podcast is here to support and inspire you.We recently conducted a survey, unrelated to our podcast name, and were blown away by the responses. Many of you expressed feeling undervalued and underpaid in the fashion industry. That's why we've come up with a brilliant idea to tackle this issue head-on - finding a simple solution for f

This episode is a little bit different than our normal episodes. In this episode, I’m going to talk about some of the amazing benefits of being your own boss while sharing some announcements about the podcast.  You’ll also get to hear some very exciting news about an upcoming event that we are pumped about!    For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Referrals are one of the best ways to grow your freelance fashion design business but they don’t just fall in your lap!  If you’ve ever struggled with the confidence to ask for a referral or have trouble finding the right time or words to say, then this episode is for you!  Meghan is joining me as we dig into her referral strategy to discover what’s working, what’s not, and what could be improved. You’ll also hear Meghan share her challenges of asking for more work and being afraid of taking on anything outside of her comfort zone.  Between being a mom and working on her freelance career, Meghan has some legit questions about how to overcome the fears of asking for referrals and overcoming her comfort zone.  Listen in to learn effective strategies for being confident and taking the right steps to ask for referrals to get consistent income. For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

We love all of the great things being a freelance fashion designer has to offer, but what about the tasks that seem really intimidating? In this episode, Stayce and I are jumping into these intimidating tasks head first (literally…we’re going to be tackling mindset!)     Find out how Stayce wraps her mind around tackling some of these intimidating tasks and landed a $10k project on Upwork!  Join us as she talks us through the very strategies that she used to pitch to that client, get them on a phone call, and put the proposal together to land the project and how you can, too! For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

We’ve all been there – struggling to figure out what in the world to include in your tech pack portfolio as a freelance technical designer, what NOT to include, what’s relevant and irrelevant… That’s why Christina and I work through exactly what her goals are and how to create the optimal portfolio to attract the right brands while doing the work that Christina loves! You’ll also hear about Christina’s struggles figuring out what aesthetic to pursue, since she was told she wouldn’t find work in the industry that she loves. Listen in on why I think this could actually be a really amazing opportunity for Christina to find clients and brands while not compromising on the work she’s passionate about.  For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, we bring on Darci, who took an interest to sewing at a young age and followed her interests to fashion school. But, after moving to Florida, USA she quickly found that the only market for her skillset was in factories as a seamstress. This didn’t stop her from continuing her education, since along the way, she picked up crucial skills in software for patternmaking, started listening to the SFF podcast, and took a few of Heidi’s courses. Then? She took the leap and QUIT her job to pursue fashion freelancing. Listen in to hear about Darci’s journey in more detail including her struggles in confidence with business skills, English as a second language, navigating projects, and how she started getting clients as a freelance patternmaker. Plus, she did all of this with NO formal portfolio! For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Have you ever wondered how much is too much when reaching out to brands? You want to be a proactive freelance fashion designer and let it be known that you’re available for projects, but the clients keep giving you the old “not now, maybe later” and you don’t want to be overbearing…What do you do?  This episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast is a clip from a Strategy Session I have with FAST: Freelance Accelerator student Renée, and we work on verbiage and strategies for keeping in touch with brands in a sustainable way, while not turning them off from over-outreach.  For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Can you imagine having the flexibility and resources to just simply… take 2 months off from work? Well, in this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, I bring back a former FAST: Freelance Accelerator student and we discuss how she did just that. And get this: she funded it by quadrupling her income as a freelance patternmaker in the first half of this year alone! Definitely take a listen with Alexandra as we discuss how she accomplished this as well as the personal and philosophical growth she experienced as a freelancer in the fashion industry. (Spoiler alert: she lives her life on her own terms!)  For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

One of the most common topics students ask about freelancing in fashion is pricing. Do you charge hourly or by project? How do you know you’re getting paid enough? What do you tell clients when you end up working more than expected? If you can relate to any of these questions, this episode is for you. In this strategy session with Laetitia, a lingerie fashion designer from France, we discuss these issues and work through strategies that help you make sure your project prices are up to par, and that you don’t undercharge when you end up doing more work on the project than expected. For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!