Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

Taxes aren't fun but paying more taxes than you need is even worse!

Choosing the right structure can have a significant impact on your taxes and personal liability.  This episode breaks down the essentials of choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, and S Corp so you can be confident in setting up your freelance business. Discover how the right business entity can save you money on taxes and protect your personal assets, all while making the setup process as painless as possible.

If the legal stuff sounds scary and is holding you back from diving in, hit play now (and throw that excuse out the window)!

Resources:
Do I Need an LLC to Freelance Blog Post 

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How can you tell if a factory is legit?

There are easy strategies you can use to vet factories in the fashion industry.   In this strategy session clip, Deb Barraza and I share personal experiences and brainstorm ideas to make the process feel less daunting and more manageable. Learn how to use targeted, open-ended questions that reveal the true nature of a factory's operations beyond the sales pitch. Because let's be honest, a good salesman can give you smoke and mirrors all day long.

Hit play now to avoid factory nightmares for you and your freelance fashion clients!

About Deb Barraza:
Deb is a product Development Consultant helping small and growing jewelry brands bring in their collections as envisioned and on time.

Resources:
SFF156: Jay Arbetman  How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

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Get the eviction notice ready for the imposter syndrome that's moved in! 

Imposter syndrome is something so many freelance fashion designers struggle with in their careers.  Amanda Thome was one of them but figured out how to kick it to the curb and double her rates...with an existing client!  We talk about the importance of a supportive community, her struggle with imposter syndrome, and her motivation after sending her biggest invoice yet!

If you wanna increase your rates or you just need a big old confidence boost that you can do this freelancing thing, you're gonna love this episode.

Resources:
Toggl Time Tracker
143: From $100 to $3k/month...And Then I Realized I Was Permalancing...
201: You DON'T Need Another Time Management Tool: The REAL Reason You're Procrastinating
NewArc.ai - Click here for 50% off your first month (aff)

About Amanda:

Amanda Thomé is a knitwear designer based in Brooklyn, NY. She studied fashion design at FIT and specialized in knitwear during her master's in the UK. She began freelancing with small brands in Paris and is now based in NYC, working with brands like Goldie LeWinter, Fang NYC, and Ellis Littles. Her designs are influenced by her multicultural upbringing, resulting in a style that's youthful, experimental, and emotionally driven.

Connect with Amanda:

Visit her website

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram @thome_studio

Connect on Linkedin 

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Ever wondered why some fashion brands are slow to adopt 3D software?

My guest, Sylwia breaks it down, sharing real-world challenges and successes, like delivering the perfect collection to an Australian client in real-time. She also stresses the need for optimization and understanding polygons to make 3D design cost-effective and efficient. Whether you're a freelancer or part of a small team, learning these skills can set you apart in the competitive fashion landscape. Tune in and get inspired to take your fashion design game to the next level!

About Sylwia Szymczyk:

A dynamic and passionate 3D Fashion technology expert and keynote speaker from Timberland, a VF company, who simplifies and teaches complex technological concepts in fashion innovation. Her presentations share a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and build desire to create change in fashion.

Sylwia started her career in the traditional fashion value chain (pattern making and garment development) and has been working on seamlessly integrating technology into the fashion industry. She is quickly becoming a go-to source for fashion innovation.

She has 15+ years of experience working with major fashion powerhouses like Armani, Max Mara Fashion Group and VF corporation.

Sylwia is passionate about driving innovation in fashion through harnessing the power of people, collaborations and partnerships.

Connect with Sylwia:

Email at: [email protected]

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylwiaszymczyk/

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What exactly is a fashion consultant?  How is it different from a freelance fashion designer?

Find out in this episode as I break down the differences, similarities, and offer some insight into being a freelance fashion consultant.  From networking tips to the importance of industry connections, this episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to carve out a niche in the fashion consultancy realm. 

If you've been considering a shift towards consulting or want to enhance your freelance services with strategic guidance, this episode is a must-listen.

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Are unsustainable practices in the fashion industry leaving you fed up and ready to jump ship? You're not alone but leaving the industry isn't the only option! 

A talented fashion designer, Jade Wei, felt the same way in her fashion career. Feeling stuck in traditional, wasteful practices, Jade embraced new technology, starting with Adobe Illustrator and eventually mastering CLO 3D. This journey reignited her passion, showing how stepping out of your comfort zone and adopting innovative tools can lead to more sustainable and exciting opportunities in the industry.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck or resistant to the evolving technologies in fashion design. Jade’s story offers hope, practical advice, and a renewed sense of purpose that can energize your own fashion design journey.

About Jade Wei:
Jade is a freelance designer based in London, specializing in 3D pattern-making, garment and product development for brands with similar creative ethos. Born in Taiwan, she moved to the UK at 18 to pursue a career in fashion. With 17+ years of experience in the industry, she has worked for luxury brands including Alexander McQueen, Theory, and ClothSurgeon.

She also designs for independent designers and launched her own brand, ATELIER WCMF. Recently, she has been merging the digital and physical fashion worlds using emerging technology to create advanced technical services for fashion brands.

Connect with Jade:

Visit their website

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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When life gives you lemons you make lemonade...but what about when life gives you a job loss?  Or even a pandemic?

Is it even possible to turn a job loss (especially during the pandemic) into a thriving startup in the fashion industry?  Yep!  My guest, Krystal Lewis, shares exactly how she turned her personal and professional challenges into launching her own fashion business. It's a raw look at the ups and downs of becoming your own boss in a tough industry.

As a fashion designer, there's always going to be curveballs thrown your way.  Listen to this episode to learn key lessons for taking what life throws at you and creating a successful and thriving fashion business!

About Krystal:

Black Unicorn Merchandising is a boutique apparel design company specializing in custom design, ethical sourcing and low minimum manufacturing. We are a highly dynamic team of fashion connoisseurs, steadfastly committed to delivering top-tier garments that epitomize your brand's visionary essence. Our comprehensive approach spans the entire design process, from conceptualization and artistic sketching to intricate pattern making, meticulous prototyping, and seamless production. 

Whether you represent a startup brand in need of a lot of guidance or an esteemed label seeking to ease the workload, rest assured that our unwavering dedication and unrivaled passion will bring your apparel ideas to life.

Connect with Krystal:

Visit their website

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Subscribe on Youtube

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Need More Clients? Learn how to use LinkedIn to create endless opportunities and grow your freelance fashion design business!

We're not just talking theory; my guest, Emily Court, is living proof that the right strategies on LinkedIn can lead to tangible success. Learn how she transformed her online interactions into a thriving career, tripling her income in less than a year.

Plus, get a peek into how regular yet thoughtful engagements and high-quality content can draw the right crowd to your profile. It can be a magnet for fashion design clients!

If you've ever wondered how to turn LinkedIn connections into lucrative opportunities, or how to use your online presence to reflect your professional brand, this episode’s got you covered!

About Emily:
Emily is a senior copywriter based in Vancouver, BC. When she's not working with mammoth brands to refine their digital content, she spends her time helping freelancers flourish, and empowering coaches and thought leaders to rock LinkedIn.

Connect with Emily:
Visit their website: www.emilycourt.ca
Email at: [email protected]
Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-court-422b2ba4/

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Don't waste your time on freelancing platforms that are known for cheap pay and demanding clients.  But how do you know which freelancing platforms to look out for?

After surveying over 500 fashion designers who are students in my Freelance Accelerator program, I've compiled real data so you can feel confident. Even though many of these students have found success, you still have to be wary of bad job postings.

I break down why this platform stands out despite any pitfalls, what to watch out for with cheap and demanding clients, and how to tailor your profile to attract serious fashion brands. Whether you're brand new to freelancing or looking to improve your current game, hit play so you know how to navigate the freelance job postings, create a standout profile, and write proposals that get you hired.

Resources:
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/upwork-proposal-for-fashion-designers/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/sff172-how-this-freelance-fashion-designer-landed-a-10k-project-on-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-freelancer-first-project-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-fashion-textile-designer-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/how-to-get-freelance-fashion-design-jobs-on-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-patternmaker-upwork-profile/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-portfolio/

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Saying 'Yes' to be a more desirable fashion freelancer is the quickest path to getting caught in a scope creep nightmare.

There's an important balance of being available but also having boundaries.  Andressa, my guest in this episode, and I talk about constructing firm proposals and how to handle the awkward dance of revising costs mid-project. By the end of this strategy-packed session, you'll be armed with actionable advice on how to avoid scope creep and feeling obligated to take on too many revisions.

Stop leaving money on the table and listen to these valuable strategies.

About Andressa:
Andressa is a fashion and textile designer with over a decade of experience in kidswear! She's an expert in developing seasonal collections, from initial concepts to final products. Whether you're a startup or a mid-sized brand, she can assist you with various aspects of product development, including creating mood concepts, sourcing materials, creating flat drawings, and preparing accurate tech packs suitable for manufacturing. Let her take care of the nitty-gritty, so you can focus on what you do best!

Connect with Andressa:
Email her at [email protected]
Follow in Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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Success can be temporary.  It can dry up if you're not prepared. There one day and *POOF* gone the next.

That's exactly what happened to my guest in today's episode, Louise Ryan, a freelance footwear trend consultant.  She had a stable freelance income for a while but eventually, it dried up leaving her looking for answers.  She turned to my flagship program FAST and shares how she redesigned her freelance fashion career and essentially tripled her income.  Even with all the strategies at her fingertips though, there's still room for disappointment and rejection. 

If you've ever felt like your success is drying up or you feel like throwing in the towel because of the rejection you get, you'll want to listen to this episode as Louise and I talk about the high highs and low lows of freelancing in fashion and how not giving up pays off.  Learn how having the right strategies in your arsenal can protect you from withering away from an unstable income and a dried-up network.

About Louise:

She is an exceptional creative thinker, designer, and trend forecaster who is passionate about the footwear industry. Her drive to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and fully comprehend the entire process of footwear design and development is truly inspiring. By collaborating with global trend agencies, brands, and factories, she can provide valuable insights that will shape the future of this dynamic industry. future of this dynamic industry.

Connect with Louise:

Visit their website: www.larcreative.com

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram LAR_CREATIVE

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseryanfashion/

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Is freelancing in fashion actually as good as it sounds?  From the promises of freedom to the ideas of total flexibility, it can be easy to get swept up in the "dream".

There's a lot of positives when it comes to freelancing, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to put in hard work to achieve your freelancing dreams.  In this episode, Kate Knight opens up to share some amazing wins but also gives a realistic perspective of the ups and downs in freelancing.  We also talk about pricing which is always a hot topic that I get tons of questions about.

Tune in to find out what the REAL truth about being a freelance fashion designer is like.  You won't want to miss a big win that Kate shares at the end because she started charging for something that she used to give away for free. 

About Kate:

Kate Knight is a knitwear designer who specializes in creating recycled and sustainable cashmere and cashmere blends. She has previously lived and worked in New York City, London, and the Swiss Alps, but currently resides just outside of Bordeaux, France. Throughout her career, Kate has designed knitwear for well-known brands such as Nordstrom, The White Company, Lands' End, Barney's, and Whistles. She has also taught knitting to individuals across all age groups, including 7-year-olds, PhD students, and industry professionals. Kate is passionate about building connections with factories, yarn agents, brands, fellow freelancers, and designers.

Connect with Kate:

Visit her website: http://www.thecashmeredesigner.com/

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram @thecashmeredesigner

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-knight-7a05174/

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
SFD096 Q&A: How to Become a Fashion freelancer with Heidi & Marissa
197 How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

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Are you struggling to figure out your fashion design freelance rate? Do you find it challenging to determine how much to charge for your fashion design services?

That's because no one openly wants to talk about rates or money.  In this episode, I break that silence in the industry by sharing real-life strategies that I've used in my own career and examples from real successful fashion freelancers for setting rates.  If charging hourly, by day, or per project has you scratching your head, push play now to find out how to charge your worth and avoid common pitfalls in pricing.  

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Sourcing in your freelance fashion career is a lot like matchmaking!  You want to make good connections that align well with your client's brand. You can build a great career by thinking strategically and approaching sourcing with care.

Once you identify that sourcing isn't just about finding products or services; it's about creating valuable connections and delivering exceptional results, you can strategically start setting your clients up for success.

Get ready for insights and practical tips on navigating the sourcing process, set transparent expectations with clients, and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure the best possible outcomes.  You'll gain a deep understanding of the strategic and relational elements involved in successful sourcing, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the fashion world.

Resources:
SFF156: Jay Arbetman How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

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If you're new to the fashion industry or unsure of your skills but want to start as a freelancer, you may consider being a fashion virtual assistant (VA) and earning while you learn.  Find out how you can transform your soft skills into hard cash.

You don't need to be a super tech genius to work as a virtual assistant in the fashion industry; basic tech skills and a willingness to learn as you go are enough to get started. Tons of business owners are bogged down with tasks they can do, but do not have the time for.  The VA industry isn't just about ticking off tasks. It *thrives* on soft skills like organization, a knack for creativity, and, oh yes, being a little tech-savvy!

So if you have what it takes, you can thrive as a fashion virtual assistant and start earning while you develop your fashion design skills.

About Aubree:
Aubree Malick is a boy mom, former teacher, virtual assistant coach, and host of the Freelancer to CEO podcast. Through her podcast and programs, she helps overworked and underpaid moms and (soon-to-be former) teachers experience the freedom and joy that comes from designing a freelancing business with the skills they already have. After taking her own leap of faith four years ago and replacing her teaching income within two months, she became passionate about helping other women start and grow their own businesses to 5K+ months from home and has been featured in Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance.

Connect with Aubree:
Visit their website: aubreemalick.com

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram 

Listen to Aubree's Podcast Freelancer to the CEO

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Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers learn on their freelancing journey.  It's all too easy to listen to self-doubt and let imposter syndrome creep in which ultimately will lead to resentment, burnout, or missing out on huge opportunities. So how can you land freelance gigs from big names while overcoming challenges such as low self-esteem and even geographical constraints?

It's easier than you may think! Our guest, Harshini, is a fashion designer who landed a job with WGSN despite their minimal presence in India and lack of a head office in her home country. She has also faced familiar mindset issues that can hold us back, which led her to low-paying clients and work she grew to hate. In this podcast episode, you can listen to the strategies she implemented to change the trajectory of her career which enabled her to outsource work, increase her rates, and secure higher-paying projects. You will also learn about the challenges and triumphs Harshini faced as she navigated motherhood, low self-esteem, and learning her worth in a competitive industry.

About Harshini:
Harshini is a womenswear designer and trend consultant with 7 years of industry experience. She's worked with big names like Zara, French Connection UK, Yamaha, and WGSN. With a postgraduate degree from the London College of Fashion, she enjoys creating cool casual wear for women, especially in the resort wear niche.

Offering everything from initial concepts to pre-production, Harshini's helping small to mid-sized women's resort wear brands thrive. With her sharp eye for style and a knack for understanding what people want, she's making brands stand out and connect with their audiences effortlessly.

Connect with Harshini:

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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Let's talk about two easy but often overlooked strategies to avoid the freelancing roller coaster of making $3,000 1 month and a $100 the next, and you're left wondering where your next fashion design is project coming from.

By implementing these practical strategies in this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid, you'll position yourself as the kind of freelancer that brands want to hire again and again, ultimately leading to more referrals and ongoing projects.

So, if you're ready to start earning consistent income as a freelance fashion designer, hit play and start putting these strategies into action today.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast Episode with Hillary Glenn - How to Build Your Career as a Contract Fashion Designer (and work from home)

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Want to kickstart your freelance career while learning a new industry skill, like Clo3D?

In this Fashion Designers Get Paid episode, we hear a clip from a strategy session with fashion designer Sharon Hay, who's breaking into fashion from the tech industry and learning Clo3D. So, how can you build your network and line up clients while still learning?

It's not about waiting until you're an expert before putting yourself out there. Instead, it's about engaging and sharing what you're working on, starting authentic conversations, and connecting with brands who may need your services down the line.

Tune in as we talk about specific strategies to pull this off (and it works for any fashion design niche).  By building a strong network, sharing your learning process, and engaging with others in your industry, you can confidently secure trial projects to refine your skills. So, go ahead and put yourself out there and make meaningful connections!

Mentioned in this Episode:
If you're going to do LinkedIn, I literally think you'd be CRAZY not to take this course. Full disclaimer, it's an affiliate link, but I would recommend it 100000% either way: https://learn.justinwelsh.me/a/2147505019/Vq8CxAWV

About Sharon Hay:
Sharon has been working as a professional digital design and UX project manager for 15 years, and has worked with some of the top tech firms and retailers in Silicon Valley! However, she's always been passionate about both technology and fashion. That's why she decided to follow her heart and redirect her career to a path that truly fuels her passion while promoting sustainability. She became a Clo3D master, specializing in providing virtual fashion design solutions, utilizing her past fashion experience. 

Connect with Sharon:

Visit their website: www.retailbrandlab.com

Email at: [email protected]

Connect on Linkedin

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Ever feel like one of the biggest roadblocks in your fashion design career is procrastination?

If you find yourself reaching for the newest or trendy technology hoping to finally find your holy grail for staying on task (spoiler alert: it wasn't it), then this episode has your name written all over it!  I talk with Grace Brodeur who specializes in helping entrepreneurs overcome procrastination so they can increase their time, financial, and mental freedom.  She shares her insights on setting goals, navigating emotional blocks, and giving procrastination the well-deserved boot.

Mentioned in this Episode:
EFT Tapping with Brad Yates

About Grace Brodeur:
While getting her Master of Science and working in consulting, Grace experienced ongoing procrastination, deadline crunches, fear, overwhelm, and overthinking that kept her stuck. She could not find comprehensive training that achieved permanent solutions, so she decided to create it herself.

Grace is a trauma-informed performance coach who has built a community of over 250,000 individuals. She has blended her mastery of 5 modalities with her unique experience of working with 500+ procrastinators to deliver efficient programs that address the root cause of self-sabotaging patterns.

Connect with Grace:
Visit her website
Email her at: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram
Follow on TikTok

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What if you had to completely restart your fashion career?  And what if you were also faced with a lot of barriers?

That's exactly what this fashion designer, mom of two, and my guest, Andressa Iop, faced when she moved from Brazil to the U.S.  Between learning a new language, juggling the hectic schedule of motherhood, and everything else, she found time in the cracks of her day to fit in time to rebuild her fashion career.

Andressa shares more about her success and the amazing way she finds time for fashion design.  If you ever wished you could buy a new MAC or make $3k working part-time, then you'll love this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid.  Hear how she did it and how you can too!

About Andressa Iop:
Andressa is an exceptional fashion and textile designer with over ten years of experience in the kidswear industry. She specializes in bringing seasonal collections to life, from the initial concept to the final product. Her passion for her work is evident in every detail of her designs, and she offers her expertise to startups and mid-sized brands in need of guidance in various areas of product development. With Andressa's help, brands can create beautiful, high-quality clothing that will inspire and delight parents and children alike.

Connect with Andressa:

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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Is freelancing in fashion worth it?

If you've ever wondered about being a freelance fashion designer (or PD, TD, patternmaker, etc!) then this episode will shine some light on the pros and cons of freelancing in fashion.  Let's get super clear on what true remote freelancing means so then we can pull back the curtain to reveal all the good and bad that comes with it.  Is freelancing really worth it?  Tune in to find out!

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Rejection doesn't have to be synonymous with failure.

The truth is, there will always be rejection in your fashion design career and that can be scary (and totally normal!).  But whether you hear a yes or no shouldn't be what determines your success.  In this episode, I talk with Anne Benschop about the fear of rejection and the impact that can have as a freelance fashion designer.  We work on reframing her mindset to measure her success based on her actions, not others'.

Don't let the fear of rejection hold you back.  Listen to this episode to learn how you can also reframe your mindset to let go of some of that fear and start making progress in your freelance business.

About Anne:
Anne is a womenswear designer who is focused on inclusive and sustainable fashion. She is experienced in the whole design process from brainstorming a new collection to product development.  She has worked part-time in customer service and previously experienced the challenges of the fashion industry job market, finding it to be toxic and undervaluing. Despite her fears and hesitations, Anne is determined to break free from this mold and elevate her freelance career.

Connect with Anne:
Email at:  [email protected]
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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Woah...did we just crack the code of sales conversations to land more freelance fashion design clients?!

If you've ever felt sales conversations were scary or just need to elevate your sales game, then our guest, Nikki Rausch, is here to share her best tips and tricks to help you feel confident in your sales calls.  We talk about navigating the sales staircase framework, using the power of smart questions, and leading the conversation with finesse.

Learn how to make your potential clients feel understood, tailor your offers to their needs, and even snag a free gift training on mastering the sales conversation. Get ready to level up your sales game and leave your clients saying "yes" in style!

About Nikki Rausch:
CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”.
With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform.

Nikki is a sales professional who believes in teaching others to be strategic and genuine in their own unique ways. She provides structure and guidance for sales conversations, while also emphasizing the importance of authenticity and organic communication. Nikki's approach is about giving people the tools to be successful in sales, rather than imposing her own style on them. She believes in the power of individuality and finding a balance between structure and personal expression in sales.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast Episode 181: The Secret to Get New Clients on Autopilot for Your Freelance Fashion Design Business 

Connect with Nikki:

Visit their website: https://yoursalesmaven.com

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin
Free Mastering The Sales Conversation Training: https://yoursalesmaven.com/fashion

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Being a freelance fashion designer means you can step outside of the norm and build a career your own way!

Just like today's guest, Amanda Russo, who takes a little bit of a backward approach from what we may normally see.  She lives in Brazil and helps factories source new fashion brands and then manages the product development process.  We talk all about exactly how she got her clients, how she put together contracts and retainers to earn consistent income, and about her amazing experience inside Fast.  If that isn't enough, after just 3 short months of kickstarting her freelancing career, Amanda is already out-earning her previous full-time salary!

About Amanda Russo:
Amanda Russo, a graduate from an esteemed school, has dedicated the past decade to the field of international product development. With a unique perspective on the industry, Amanda has navigated the differences between American and international product development, often working with a larger focus on national product development. As a fashion freelancer, she specializes in linking factories with the right clients in Brazil and guiding them through the entire product development journey.

Connect with Amanda:

Visit her website

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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Should freelance fashion designers attend a sourcing trade show?

Let's go straight to the source with the vice president of the largest sourcing trade show in North America to get the answer and insider tips to make the most of your trade show experience.  Andreu David is the vice president of Sourcing at Magic is here to help find the perfect vendors and suppliers for your freelance clients or your own fashion brand, And so much more.

As the Vice President of SOURCING at MAGIC for Informa Markets Fashion, Andreu spearheads a team renowned for hosting the largest sourcing trade show in North America. In addition, with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Andreu is the CEO and Creative Director of his own brand, provides consultation services to fellow entrepreneurs with his company, Brand Design Architects, and teaches fashion design and business at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. After matriculating with a BS in Marketing from the University of Southern California and a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, he began his career with a design apprenticeship at Hermès in Paris, France, subsequently held long-term senior management design roles at Double RL Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic and led as Creative Director of a startup brand in New York.

Connect with Andreu:
Visit the Sourcing Magic Website
Email at [email protected]
Connect on Linkedin

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Dreaming of more clients doesn't help grow your freelance fashion career...but these tips will!

Hanan specializes in modest women's wear and aims to expand her client base but needs a little help navigating her niche. Heidi and Hanan delve into the importance of having a niche-specific profile on platforms like Upwork, as well as leveraging industry connections to attract new clients. They explore strategies for standing out in a competitive market and rekindling relationships within Hanan's extensive network. This episode will leave you inspired to refine your own niche and make meaningful connections in your professional network.

Key takeaways from the episode:

1. The Power of Niche: Hanan and Heidi discuss the importance of positioning your freelance profile to specifically highlight your niche. Learn how being specific in your niche, such as modest women's wear, can help you stand out in a competitive market.

2. Utilizing Upwork: Hanan and Heidi dive into strategies for leveraging platforms like Upwork to find and secure freelance opportunities. Discover why tailoring your profile to your niche is essential for attracting the right clients.

3. Networking and Engaging: Hanan emphasizes the importance of nurturing industry relationships and engaging with your network. Heidi shares insightful tips on staying top-of-mind with industry contacts and creating genuine connections.

About Hanan:
Hanan worked as a pattern maker in the Los Angeles fashion district for 14 years. When she had her third child, she quit her job to become a stay-at-home mom and moved away from LA. After seven years, she decided to pursue her dream of starting her own fashion brand for modest women's wear, but struggled financially. She had followed Heidi for many years, but had never realized that the freelancing she talked about was entirely remote. This caught Hanan's attention, and she decided to attend a workshop hosted by Heidi to learn more. She found it difficult to drive to LA with three kids, so she was excited to explore this freelancing journey and see where it takes her and her brand.

Connect with Hanan:
Visit their website: hijabfix.com
Email at: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin
Work with on Upwork

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There's a mind-blowing amount of nuances that go into being a freelance fashion stylist and who better to share all the deets than someone who's styled for Emmy award-winning TV shows?

We have the pleasure of being joined by the esteemed freelance stylist with over 25 years of experience, Darshan Gress. With a diverse background in styling for TV shows like Project Runway and Top Chef, Darshan has now transitioned into personal styling for high-level executives.  From the importance of networking and creating authentic relationships to the nuances of styling and the impact of social media, Darshan provides a wealth of knowledge for aspiring stylists. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of freelance styling and uncover the secrets to building a successful career in the fashion industry.

Learn all about the challenges and rewards of freelance styling, the significance of networking, and the art of storytelling through clothing – all while getting a glimpse into the glamorous world of fashion.  Whether you're a budding stylist, a fashion enthusiast, or simply curious about the ins and outs of the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and engaging anecdotes sure to pique your interest!

About Darshan:
Darshan Gress is a personal fashion stylist, costume designer, and style expert who has overseen the wardrobe for Emmy award-winning TV shows on platforms such as Netflix, NBC, Bravo, among others. Her career has focused on styling industry leaders both in front of the camera and in real life.

Based in New York City and Los Angeles, Darshan firmly believes style and success go hand in hand and is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve professional and personal success by helping them visually show up with confidence in a wardrobe that authentically reflects their personal style.

Darshan’s most recent work includes styling Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine, Nina Garcia, on Project Runway, as well as creating looks for entrepreneur and Sprinkle’s cupcake founder, Candace Nelson, on Shark Tank. As she continues to expand her career, she values the experiences and lessons she has learned by sharing with others and has begun to mentor the next generation of stylists. 

Connect with Darshan:
Visit her Website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin
DM her "News" on Instagram to get on her email list

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Is your corporate fashion job leaving you feeling beat down?  What if you could quit and land your first freelance client within a month?

That's exactly what today's guest did!  Jenny Pflanz the highs and lows of transitioning from corporate to freelance work, including the challenges of projecting confidence, adjusting to the lack of office socializing, and seeking sustainability in the fashion industry.  You'll discover the power of networking, the importance of specific details in sustainability efforts, and valuable advice on simplifying the approach to pitching potential clients.

If you're curious about the world of freelancing, overcoming self-doubt, and the pursuit of sustainability in fashion, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to take on your own freelance journey.

About Jenny
Meet Jenny Pflanz, a Textiles and Apparel Design expert with a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. With over 8 years of experience as a Technical Designer/Product Developer for various renowned brands, Jenny recently made a bold decision to leave her 9-5 job for mental health reasons. During her break, she focused on self-improvement and undertaking CLO certification courses at FIT.  She now is successfully freelancing and exploring exciting new opportunities.

Connect with Jenny
Visit her Website
Email at [email protected]
Connect on LinkedIn

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Is your age holding you back in the fashion industry?

Ageism is a legit problem in the fashion industry, with some claiming that you're considered "old" after 35.  That's why I'm sharing some of my best strategies to help you combat age discrimination when looking for fashion design jobs.  From updating your email address to removing graduation dates and outdated projects, I've got you covered.

I'm also revealing a hidden gem for avoiding ageism altogether!   It can not only help you escape age discrimination but also provide you with more financial freedom and a better work-life balance.  So go ahead and click play and kick ageism to the curb.

Fashion Resume Examples
Fashion Portfolio Examples
Ultimate Guide to Adobe Illustrator
Ultimate Guide to Tech Packs
Ep 179: Illegal Freelance Jobs

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Are you at a crossroads in your career as a freelance fashion designer? Wondering if it's the right time to quit your full-time job and go all-in on your freelance gig?

You're not alone and in today's episode, we join Rachel Kranick, a freelance fashion designer who shares her journey and the challenges she's facing. Despite her success in the industry and a year's worth of savings, Rachel is torn between her full-time job and the desire to dive headfirst into freelancing. Heidi provides valuable insights on when and how to transition to full-time freelancing, as well as practical strategies to build a sustainable client base. Join the conversation as we explore the personal and professional aspects of being a freelance fashion designer and discover the courage to embrace change and create the career of your dreams.

About Rachel:
Meet Rachael, a talented designer who specializes in outdoor apparel and outerwear. She absolutely loves designing jackets and technical pieces that are both functional and stylish. With over ten years of experience in the industry, Rachael has worked with big brands like Nike and Travis Mathew in the past and is currently the lead designer for an athleisure wholesaler. In her free time, she works with freelance clients on exciting projects. Rachael is based in sunny Long Beach, California and is an avid lover of the great outdoors. She enjoys camping, roller skating, paddle boarding, and hiking whenever she can.

• Visit her website: Rachaelkranick.com
• Email at: [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram
• Connect on Linkedin

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Here's your backstage pass to see the challenges and triumphs of building a global fashion brand with freelancers from around the world.

Get ready to hear firsthand stories from Alexander Massey as he shares the ups and downs of working with freelancers and managing the logistics of manufacturing remotely. From surprise welcome hampers to finding the right balance between flexibility and boundaries, this episode is packed with insights and real-life experiences that every aspiring fashion entrepreneur can learn from.

About Alexander:
Alexander Massey is the founder of Charles William Alexander, a niche pajama and underwear brand that prioritizes sustainability and production in the USA. The brand, known for its premium and regal London-inspired style, has a global reach and a focus on creating purposeful, high-quality products. Massey's vision for the brand is deeply rooted in his connection to his favorite places in the world, including the UK, Australia, and the US. With a commitment to ethical and domestically-made products, Alexander Massey continues to lead his company in providing comfortable and stylish sleepwear to customers worldwide.

Connect with Alexander:
Visit the Website
Email at [email protected]
Follow on Instagram

Other Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
https://katanamrp.com/
https://satsumadesigns.com/

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A military pilot turned fashion designer?! Yep! And this awe-inspiring journey shows the possibilities of redefining your career path.

Trudy Gardner's journey is nothing short of inspiring and she shares her story in today's episode. Expect to hear her secrets to landing clients, finding mentors, and embracing the world of 3D design. Trudy's passion for intimate apparel shines as she discusses her collaborations, courses, and even her very own podcast. Get ready to be motivated and learn from the incredible journey of Trudy Gardner.

About Trudy:
Trudy is a freelance intimate apparel designer, creator of the Underdressed Podcast, founder of Wayfinder Lingerie Online Academy and a retired military pilot. When she first discovered Clo3D, a software specifically made for patternmaking and 3D design development, she was blown away! She was able to create professional patterns and test them as 3D prototypes based on custom avatar sizes. The amount of resources she could save including paper, fabric and time, was well worth the hours and hours and hours spent learning the software. As a person with diverse interests, a spirit for adventure and always motivated by curiosity and creativity, Trudy enjoys trailblazing and continuously pushing the limits of what is possible!

Connect with Trudy:

• Visit her Website
• Email at: [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow the Underdressed Lingerie Podcast on Instagram
• Connect on Linkedin
• Watch on Twitch

Other Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Sofia's Course
• Sofia's Twitch Channel
• Underdressed Lingerie Podcast
  • There are a few about Clo, but Trudy recommends:
    E8 with Isabel Crosby
    E11 3D Design Software for Intimate Apparel
• Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Website
• Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Instagram
• Email Nicola: [email protected]
• Visit Ryan Amore's Website
• Virtually Try On

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Feeling burned out in the fashion industry? Don't throw in the towel just yet!

Burnout is real, my friends, and I've been there.

 In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal story of contemplating a career change, why starting a fashion brand wasn't the right path for me, and the alternative I found that worked wonders. But before you make that final decision to quit, I want you to consider a few things. Trust me, the next ten minutes could be just what you need to hear before saying goodbye to an industry you once loved. So grab your headphones and let's get started!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

SFF134 Alexandra Agreda How to Be a Remote Freelance Patternmaker

SFF164: Breaking Back Into Fashion After Burnout

SFF133 Amy The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer

179: Illegal "freelance" fashion design jobs...

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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.

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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 designing lingerie + intimate apparel for over 9 years. Her most recent full-time design position was at SwimUSA, where she was a senior designer for Kona Sol, a contemporary women's swimwear line sold at Target. In late 2019, Kristen left SwimUSA to pursue full-time work with KRSTN NDRSN, her startup fashion design agency started in 2018.

Contact Kristen:
Visit her Website: www.kndrsn.com
Email: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

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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 home fashion industry. Her focus is hand-drawn and painted designs suited for various home textile brands and companies - from open price to luxury. She's on a mission to whip up one-of-a-kind art with innovative techniques. And, she's not stopping there - these creations pack a punch in the market and align with the brand.

Connect with Masha:

• Email at [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram
• Connect on Linkedin

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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/

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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 her determination to have the samples in her hands and personally inspect them. Her commitment to excellence and her expertise in tech packs make her a highly sought-after professional in the fashion industry.

Connect with Sarah:

• Email at [email protected]
• Follow her personal stories on Instagram
• Connect on Linkedin

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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, quality, and look of existing products, particularly items that are predominantly white to meet dress codes at certain places. His goal is for people to have fun and not take themselves too seriously when they wear his clothes.

• Email at [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram 
• Visit at www.SexyTed.com

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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 Guest
Jade is a freelance designer based in London, specializing in 3D pattern-making, garment, and product development for brands with similar creative and world-view ethos.

Born in Taiwan, she moved to the UK at the age of 18 to pursue an education and a career in fashion. She studied at Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion with various technical qualifications in between.

With 17+ years of knowledge and experience in the fashion industry, she works for a range of luxury brands including Alexander McQueen, Theory, and ClothSurgeon as well as designing for independent designers, developing garments that have sold in retailers including Net-A-Porter, Mr. Porter, Selfridges, Liberty, and Harrods. Jade launched her own and ever-evolving brand and creative platform, ATELIER WCMF, to provide bespoke creations, freelance services with limited quantities of clothing and accessories.

She never stops learning and has recently begun to merge the digital and physical fashion worlds, using emerging technology to create advanced technical services for fashion brands, enhancing both the experience and sustainability for the client, as well as opening herself up to new markets in the digital world.

Connect with Jade:

• Email at [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram: @atelier.wcmf @jade_wei_s
• Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-wei-atelier-wcmf/
• Visit her Website: www.atelier-wcmf.com

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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, we'll discuss the true essence of freelancing and how you can carve out a successful career as a fashion designer (or technical designer, or patternmaker, etc!) on your own terms. We'll explore the freedom, flexibility, and control that comes with being a real freelancer. So, if you're ready to learn the difference between permalancing and true freelancing, and how to stand up for your rights in the fashion industry, tune in now and let's reclaim the true meaning of freelancing in fashion!

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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 it again through her own research of discovering better ways clothing can be made. These approaches are less harmful to people, animals, and our planet!

Connect with Jacqueline:

• Email at: [email protected]
• Follow on Instagram:  @jacqueline_consciousfashion 
• Follow on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelineschumann/
• Visit her website:  www.jacquelinediane.com

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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 Battarbee 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 Battarbee!

Our Industry Expert in this episode, Rachel Battarbee, cracks open her 25-year career in the apparel industry. She is a results-driven strategist who understands all facets of product development and sourcing. As a big-picture thinker and experienced process manager, she helps her clients anticipate potential roadblocks and establish best practices for current and future business opportunities.
Rachel’s previous experience includes developing and sourcing apparel lines for leading U.S. and U.K. retailers and distributors.

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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!

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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 fashion designers to get paid what they deserve.

In the coming episodes, we'll be shaking things up to provide you with diverse insights and perspectives on financing, freelancing, and the business side of fashion. We're talking successful fashion freelancer stories, interviews with industry experts, solo episodes with yours truly, and even coaching sessions with our students!

To ensure we cover all aspects of the industry, we'll be inviting brands and clients who hire freelancers to join us. You'll get an inside look at the hiring process, what they look for in freelancers, and the resources available to you.

But wait, there's more! We've made some changes to our schedule too. Starting today, we'll be publishing new episodes every Monday. So mark your calendars and get ready to start your week with fashion inspiration and knowledge.

Now, here comes the cherry on top - we've rebranded! After some soul-searching, we're now proudly known as "Fashion Designers Get Paid." We're confident that this tweak will resonate more and help more fashion enthusiasts discover our show.

So buckle up, fashionistas, because we're here to empower you, educate you, and make sure you get paid what you deserve. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes full of industry knowledge, success stories, and game-changing insights. And don't forget, if you know any industry experts or have any suggestions for guests, shoot us an email at podcast (at) sewheidi.com.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and let's make this fashion-forward journey even more fabulous together!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, a freelance lingerie fashion designer, she shares the same sentiment and advice on how she handles this hardship. She also shares literally ONE thing that she changed on LinkedIn that not only got her more clients, but made them approach her! Plus, keep listening for some valuable tips and transparent experiences on charging wages based in India, including getting a fair wage both inside and outside of India. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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We can all agree that no matter what you have going on – life can get really busy sometimes. Between your job(s), freelancing, social life, family life – the list goes on – it can get so difficult to keep track of everything while building a freelance fashion career. Productivity and time management skills are quintessential to your success in the fashion industry and beyond, so this is a major talking point on today’s episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast. 

While pregnant with her second child and already raising a 3 year old, working, and freelancing, Lindsey knows how crazy life can get. We cover advice on balancing your career and family responsibilities mom-to-mom, as well as all things freelance fashion design – including finding your niche, searching for clients, and refining your pitches to make yourself more attractive to a brand while needing to do less customer research.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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There are millions of reasons we might leave the fashion industry – burn out, starting a family, a big move, or just life in general… And I often find people asking if it’s possible to break back into the industry, whether they’re too outdated and not up with the trends, or that they don’t know the latest software. In this episode of the Success Fashion Freelancer podcast, I’m here to tell you that it’s TOTALLY possible, and how one of my former students did it.

In this episode I interview Kate Knight, a cashmere sweater designer who took a whopping 10 year long break from fashion after pursuing a different career and having a daughter. Now, she’s killing the game – and we walk through the challenges she faced and the strategies she’s used to break back into fashion design.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Setting your rates is one of the hardest aspects of freelancing, and it might be holding you back. Such was the case of Chad Robertson, a freelancer who was severely undercharging for his services in the book editing and formatting industry. After Heidi hired him for a freelance job to edit her first book, Chad followed her advice to raise his rates and turned his annual earnings from $20,000 a year to a whopping $100,000!

In this episode, we discuss how Heidi found Chad through his niche, the conversation they held about his rates, and how that turned his earnings into a 6-figure income. While it’s not the fashion design world, Chad’s story is inspiring and relatable for all freelancers as he had to overcome mental barriers to raising his rates and finding the confidence to charge what he was worth. 

TRIGGER WARNING: Chad discusses his early career as an immigration paralegal and touches on sensitive topics including severe poverty, suicide, and family separation. To skip this conversation, start listening at 11:50 into the episode. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Everyone has to start somewhere in the fashion world. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, you’ll get to know Kayla Marshall – a fashion design freelancer who didn’t go to fashion school, is totally self taught, and doesn’t have any formal industry experience. This can be suuuper daunting, but together we will talk through some great tips for getting started as a freelancer!

Plus, it can be hard to know when you’re “ready” to start offering skills to clients you aren’t 100% confident about. You’ll hear some valuable advice on ways to learn these skills such as creating tech packs, fashion flats, and using Adobe Illustrator, which will help you gain some confidence on offering new skills such as pattern making to clients.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Starting your own fashion brand is the dream for many – but it’s not a walk in the park. In this episode of the SFF podcast, Sofia Luzon recalls the late nights of sewing, packing & shipping, talking with suppliers, and more sewing for her lingerie brand. Not only was it overwhelming, but it took 5 years of dedicated work for Sofia to even pay herself – and even that was less than minimum wage!

Then, after attending our Freelance Week last year and learning from some of my free resources, Sofia decided to dip her toes into the world of fashion freelancing. After creating a portfolio, an account on Upwork, and working up the courage to start pitching, she had her first client in just 10 days. Not only is she in complete control of her work life, but she is consulting for brands and hasn’t been without a project since. 

Listen to this episode to learn how Sofia started her career, and you might want to rethink your journey in starting a brand. Plus, get tips on how Sofia found clients, sent pitches, and gained confidence to have a sustainable income as a fashion design freelancer. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Surface pattern design is a broad category that includes textile design and print and pattern design for all sorts of applications, from dishware to packaging to office supplies. If you’ve been listening to the SFF podcast for long, you know how important niching down is for finding freelance clients. But in such a diverse specialty, figuring out what to focus on can be a big challenge!

In this episode, I walk surface pattern designer Rachelle Fields through choosing the niche she wants to focus on. Then we go on to talk about pricing, and what to include in a textile design contract so both you and your client walk away happy.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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If you’re interested in freelancing in the fashion industry, but you don’t know where to start, this one’s for you! Learn what services freelance fashion designers can offer (spoiler alert: It’s way more than just “design”!), how to decide what YOUR services should be, and the secret that makes getting started as a freelancer 10X easier! Plus, get inspired by stories of real-life Successful Fashion Freelancers who are loving their flexible careers in fashion. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Struggling to find a job (even after attending a respected fashion school)? Stuck at a job that sucks the joy out of life (but feel like it’s your only option)? Laid off (and not sure if fashion is worth the struggle anymore)? If you’re fed up with the fashion industry, but don’t want to give up on the work you love, this episode is for you! 

If any of those situations sound familiar, Textile Designer and Successful Fashion Freelancer Katerina Dimovska has been there too. But her transformational story is proof that you don’t have to leave the fashion industry to have creative, fulfilling work that lights you up! Now she’s earning more than she did in her full time job, she has the freedom to travel between her family in Macedonia and her partner in Italy, and she’s finally doing work she truly loves. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Are you charging too much as a freelance fashion designer? Money is one of the most awkward subjects for many newer fashion freelancers, and a fair rate can deter some clients. But your time is valuable! If you’re setting or raising your freelance rates and worried that charging what you’re worth will scare potential clients away, this one’s for you. Listen for tips on how to avoid this tough scenario, and to learn why losing freelance clients because of your rate might not be a bad thing!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Whether you’re new to the fashion industry or you’ve only worked for bigger brands, sourcing fabrics and trims for smaller brands can be a daunting task for many freelance fashion designers. How do you find fabric suppliers with low minimums? How do you know if a fabric supplier is any good? And what are the basic steps to buying fabric for a small fashion brand? In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, I’m once again chatting with Jay Arbetman, the founder of The Sourcing District. Since he started helping out with the family coat business at age 14, Jay has accumulated 50 years of experience in the fashion industry. A lot has changed since the last time I interviewed him in 2017, especially when it comes to startup brands, sustainability, and freelancing in fashion. 

Don’t miss The Complete Guide to Sourcing Fabric with Low Minimums. And for the complete show notes and links to all the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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On the surface, it sounds like Krystal has it all—a thriving freelance fashion design biz, FIFTEEN solid clients, and a connection that regularly sends her more work. The problem? Her 15 clients are all in different niches, from hunting & fishing to swimwear to golf. Krystal’s killing it and her clients love her, but switching between so many different categories leaves her feeling scattered, disorganized, and frantic. She wants to niche down and do the work she’s most excited about, but how do you tell good clients that you’re letting them go? And how do you find the time to update your portfolio, find potential clients in your new niche, and pitch when you already have more on your plate than you can handle?

Listen to this Freelance Strategy Session for actionable advice on how to offboard freelance fashion design clients in a way that leaves them feeling great, how to change your niche, the different kinds of brands that hire freelancers and tips on finding them, avoiding permalance roles, and more. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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“I can’t freelance—I need a stable job.” One of the biggest misconceptions about freelancing in fashion is that it’s feast or famine. So many people imagine freelancers stuck in an endless job hunt, never knowing where their next project is coming from (or if they’ll get one at all!). But the truth is that, when you know how to build your career the right way, freelancing can actually be MORE stable than a full-time job. Hear how once-reluctant freelancer Sam Shammas has created her dream career doing fashion illustration and freelance bridal design, and get inspired… because it’s possible for you, too. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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One of the MOST common reasons aspiring fashion freelancers put off building their freelance career is not having enough time. There’s this myth that you need to find a two-hour block of time every day to “hustle” and “work your business.” And the only way most of us mortals can carve out time like that is to sacrifice our sleep (get up at 4 a.m.!), or to sacrifice that precious bit of leisure time we all need at the end of a long workday. 

Well, there’s good news: You can create space in your day to build your freelance career without giving up your social life, your sleep, and your sanity!!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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The high cost of fashion school shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you from working in the industry you love. Yes, it is possible to break into the fashion industry without a fashion degree, without industry experience, without connections, AND without living in NYC! Today’s guest, Arya Mishra, is a 20-year-old, self-taught designer in India. She started out as a freelancer exclusively offering fashion flats, and within the first two months she already had multiple clients paying her $20 an hour—and more lined up!

Don’t let fashion industry myths keep you from pursuing your dream. Fashion is a challenging industry, but with the right tools and a lot of determination, you CAN become a Successful Fashion Freelancer. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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You’ve landed a new client, and the trial project they requested went great! You’re ready to start the full project with them. But then, they suddenly stop replying to your emails. You try following up, but it’s like they’ve vanished.

You’ve been ghosted. And it sucks. 

Were your rates too high? Did you do something wrong? 

That’s what I explore with this week’s guest, Anna. She’s a FAST student with a couple of years’ experience freelancing. But when she was ghosted by a couple clients in a row, she started to lose her confidence. Is she really a good enough designer? And if she is, why did they bail?

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Successful Fashion Freelancer Alison Hoenes has grown her freelance business to 75% more than her old full-time income in just 4 years. She has plenty of clients and more projects than she can take on, and she needs help! In part two of the interview, we dive into what Alison can do to keep growing her business without losing her work-life balance–one of the best things about being a true, remote freelancer. We cover hiring, deciding what tasks to delegate (or dump altogether!), and how Alison can help even more clients without lowering her rates or burning out. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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How do you grow from your first few clients to a thriving, fully booked freelance biz? After four years as a Successful Fashion Freelancer, Alison Hoenes is earning 75% more than her old full-time salary, booked out months in advance, and still growing. And she’s doing it all without working insane 60-hour weeks (like most traditional fashion jobs). If you’ve established some steady clients and are ready to grow your freelance business, this episode is full of strategies to get you there. And if you’re just getting started, you’ll be inspired by how far Alison has come in just four short years. This episode is a follow up from Alison’s interview two years ago: Episode 103: How to Make More Money as a Fashion Freelancer (than in a Full Time Job)! 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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A common myth about freelancing is that it’s unstable, and you have to hustle 24/7 to get enough projects to survive. That was how this episode’s guest, PK, felt. When she had her son and started freelancing, she got burned by a client who refused to pay, and felt like she was constantly searching for a job. Now, she works with brands in her home country of India and around the world, and she has so much work that she had to hire other freelancers to help out! 

Listen to hear how she did it, and what it takes to build a successful freelance career anywhere in the world. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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You’ve put in the time and the work. Now there's only one thing standing between your side hustle becoming your full time source of income: getting more freelance clients. In this episode our guest Connie reveals the simple change that allowed her to transform her side hustle into a design agency within 18 months.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Congrats! You’ve landed your first big freelance client on Upwork… now what? It appears you got your work cut out for you, is it even feasible to accomplish the scope of this project within the client’s expected time frame and budget? Before you start to convince yourself that you are in way over your head, you need to get your bearings. So let’s come up with that game plan! In this week’s episode of Successful Fashion Freelancer, I strategize with our guest Amna on how to guide a project and have open communication with a client after she landed her first $4k project on Upwork.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Pitching on Upwork can be tough. Despite knowing that you're THE perfect fit for projects, it can be a struggle to get the right clients. Today’s guest, Lucia, found herself in the same situation. After six months of failed pitches, it left her thinking, "Is this really it for me? Why can't I be a mom AND a Successful Fashion Freelancer?"

In this episode, Lucia shares the small changes she made in her pitches that immediately started landing her clients, how she got her first project for $1800, and more.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Starting a new career is scary, and it can be easy to underestimate what you bring to the table when you do. In this interview, Heidi helps new freelance pattern-maker Vanessa dissect Vanessa’s current outreach approach and strategize how to receive more email responses, starting without experience, what her pay rate should be, how Upwork can help grow her business, and create a plan of action.

See more about the episode here!

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"Just realized I'm permalancing and I hate it! How do I 'Quit'?"

Finding yourself in the world of permalancing can be unexpected. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, it can still come as a shock to find that your part-time gig has become a full-time drain.

What are the telltale signs that your freelance work has become permalancing?

And how do you leave?

In this episode of Successful Fashion Freelancer, we dive in with today's guest Michelle Arrubla about her permalancing situation and how to be clear about those important work needs.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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One place new fashion freelancers get stuck all the time is figuring out what services to offer. If you’ve been spinning your wheels thinking you need to learn flats, repeats, tech packs, patterns, sourcing, and maybe graphic design? before you can start freelancing, there’s good news: You don’t have to offer every service under the sun in order to present yourself as a freelancer. In fact, the secret you’ll learn in this short solo episode will make every aspect of freelancing easier, and make you MORE marketable at the same time. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Ever wondered what your clients & potential clients are thinking? What makes them decide to hire a freelancer from a cold pitch? What are they thinking while you’re working together? And how do they decide whether to lose your info, or hire you again (and again, and again)? In this interview with freelance graphic designer Atara, you’ll hear a client’s perspective on what makes a freelancer irresistible. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Ah, puberty. That fun phase we all go through. When surprises pop up that NO ONE prepared you for, everything is awkward AF, and you’re just trying to figure yourself out.

Puberty may suck, but it’s a mandatory phase--there’s no getting around it.

But I’m not talking about middle school, body hair, and braces. I’m talking about the cringeworthy, painful, but absolutely necessary phase of Freelance Puberty.  

If you’re…

Breaking into a sweat before every potential client call… 

Putting off sending that cold pitch for weeks (because you don’t want potential clients to laugh at you!)...

Or just feeling the freelance growing pains... 

… then this episode is for you! 

For the complete show notes and to register for the free training on finding freelance clients, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Even if you’ve been in the fashion industry for years (or decades!), transitioning to a freelance career presents a unique set of questions and challenges. Today’s guest has a decade of experience, but she still has tons of questions about how to turn that knowledge into a thriving freelance business. And we cover it all, from pricing to portfolios and so much more. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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“It’s practically impossible to break into fashion.” If you’ve ever believed this myth, you’re not alone. And that’s how today’s guest, Brittany, felt after she graduated from fashion school. For 15 years, Brittany couldn’t get her break. But within two months of launching her freelance career, Brittany has already landed her first client and completed two projects--her first paid work in the fashion industry. And this is just the beginning. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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If you’ve ever felt rusty or worried that you’re losing your edge in your fashion career, this episode is for you. Tina is a freelancer in Germany. Coming from the activewear category, she now exclusively designs workwear, and loves it! But will her workwear clients notice that she’s “lost” her activewear skills? And how can she get them back?

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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You shouldn’t have to choose between your fashion career and your family. That “9 to 5” (more like 7 AM to 10 PM!) corporate job might feel stable and safe, but sometimes sticking with what you know isn’t worth the trade off. As a freelancer, you CAN build a stable, fulfilling career in fashion--and still have time to spend with your family (and live your life!). 

I’m not here to judge--if you’re a parent who loves your demanding job and crazy long hours, then you do you! But if you’re craving more balance, you’re not alone. Listen to hear how designer Lori Paradis changed her life through freelancing… and how you can do it, too. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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As a freelancer in fashion, should you offer the skills you already know how to do well, or learn new skills so you can do what you really love? Some aspiring freelancers get so stuck on this question that they end up doing neither (and putting off their freelance goals yet another year... or two... or ten!).

In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A, we tackle the services you should offer, how to offer a service you haven’t perfected yet, and why doing what you love is a recipe for freelance success.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Freelance patternmaker Alexandra doesn’t have a fashion degree, and she doesn’t live in a fashion hub. Yet with only a couple years of experience, she is now making more in one day as a freelancer than she made in two weeks at her old full-time job. Better yet, she loves the freedom to make her own schedule, choose the best projects for her goals, and actually have a life--all while still working in fashion.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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If you’ve never considered freelancing as an option for your fashion career, you’re not alone. Today’s guest, Amy, liked working in-house and was never interested in becoming a freelancer. But when she became a mom and needed just a little more work-life balance, she came face to face with how inflexible this industry can be. She started freelancing as a temporary fix while her son was young, and always intended to go back to in-house. But once she experienced the flexibility, freedom of choice, and better hourly wage she now has, she fell in love with freelancing. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A you’ll hear from Mari, a freelance knitwear designer who’s working on perfecting her pricing strategy. She’s built a successful freelance business, and she loves her work and the “limitless opportunities” that freelancing provides. But like most new freelancers, she still has questions about charging for her services. From undercharging to retainers, listen for tons of tips to help you navigate freelance pricing.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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One of the most common myths about freelancing in fashion is that brands won’t pay a fair hourly wage. Today’s guest blows that myth out of the water--sharing how she’s been charging up to $85 an hour over the past year (yes, during the pandemic!). From tips on finding clients, to pricing, retainers, and contracts, this interview is packed with the kind of freelance advice no one else in the industry is talking about. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Sometimes the thing you *think* you’re stuck on is just a distraction from what’s really holding you back. In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A, technical designer Jaylene asks where to find freelance clients. But over the course of the conversation, she realizes that it’s not finding the brands that’s most challenging, but putting herself out there to pitch her services.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Launching a fashion brand is expensive. And many designers who dream of having their own brand find themselves stuck in this dilemma: You need to work to support yourself while you’re starting your brand. But a full time job hardly leaves any time to work on your line! In this interview, Atlanta-based sustainable designer Christina Yother shares how she launched and funded her fashion brand while working full time, freelancing, and navigating the effects of the pandemic on the fashion industry!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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This is a very special episode--and the last episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. But don’t worry. Better things are coming, and we hope you’ll be along for the ride! In this episode, Heidi & Tara chat about the future of Successful Fashion Designer, and what this huge change means to you. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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This is my second interview with Noémie Jouas, a young designer who started creating bespoke dresses from her college housing in small-town Scotland. Since I spoke to her last, she’s had her first runway show, adapted to the pandemic, and gotten her work featured by both Teen Vogue and Vogue. 

For links to Noemie and her original interview, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, and charging a retainer for consistent income! Sophia is a full-time fashion freelancer who moved from NYC to Texas and grew her freelance business--during Covid! If you’ve been struggling to find clients for your freelance fashion business, this episode is a must listen.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Canadian designer Alexandra Suhner Isenberg studied fashion in Toronto, London, and Paris. She’s worked for brands including Burberry, freelanced, and taught fashion. But when an antique men’s chemise became her favorite thing to sleep in, Alexandra was inspired to start her brand, The Sleep Shirt. Listen for her fascinating story and how she built a successful luxury brand based around a single garment designed to perfection. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Karen LePage is a freelance patternmaker and grader who specializes in size inclusivity and sustainability. She’s also a fit consultant, a sewing and fit teacher, an author, and a mom. Karen broke into the industry without going to fashion school, and she has built a thriving freelance business doing meaningful projects for clients she loves. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Karen shares how she did it, and how she’s found happiness in an industry where she never felt she belonged.  

 For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to  Successful Fashion Designer!

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Atlas Menswear founder Aaron Woolf has been athletic his whole life. Although this father of 4 has been an entrepreneur in other industries since 2014, he never thought he’d get into fashion. But he was fed up with dress shirts that didn’t fit his muscular build. And when he started talking to other men at the gym about the issue, Aaron discovered that he wasn’t the only one who wanted a muscular men’s clothing line. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Aaron and designer Jessica Dixon share the steps they took to get from that first idea to a product they’re proud to produce for other athletic and muscular men. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Shilo Byrd has been in the industry for a decade and a half, and she knows her stuff. She’s a freelance luxury pattern maker, product developer, supply chain & production consultant, and a contributor at Vogue Business. In this episode of the SFD Podcast, Shilo chats about everything from understanding fit and the best way to learn new skills, to networking in fashion and her advice for starting your own brand. Whether you’re a freelancer, starting your own brand, or even just curious about the fashion industry, this episode has something for you!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Alex is a self-taught freelance technical designer living in Ottawa, Ontario. He didn’t go to fashion school, and he never held a job in the industry. Yet he’s working with small fashion brands, helping them get their ideas into production alongside his full-time job. In this episode, he shares how he managed to carve a spot for himself as a fashion freelancer, and what he’s learned in the process. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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To celebrate the new year, I'm sharing one of our most popular episodes EVER. Whether you caught this one the first time or it's new to you, listen for tons of practical advice from two 6+ figure fashion freelancers!

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Since it's a holiday week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite podcast episodes! Judy Karp worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. This is her story.

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Have you ever found yourself sitting at your day job, feeling like something is missing? Have you always been full of ideas, daydreaming about a more creative life? My guest on this episode, Tara, pursued an accounting career for stability. But she could never shake the creative ideas that came to her, tempting her to explore something new. When one of those ideas led her to sew a purse, the result inspired an entire line of handbags and a successful brand Tara is proud to call her own. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Since it's Thanksgiving week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite episodes from this past year. It's my interview with Erika Neumayer of Rare Dirndl. She's build a successful brand with a tiny niche, and she shares tons of actionable tips on how she did it. For the full show notes and links, head over to Successful Fashion Designer. 

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Oni Auer is a design director and fashion career mentor in NYC. She got started in fashion by scoring a position with BCBG when she was a mere 18 years old. She had an associates degree, but no industry connections or advantages to help her get ahead. Since then she has worked with a huge variety of companies including Bebe and UnderArmour. In the interview, she shares the skills and strategies she used to launch her career, keep working through the recession, and advance herself to design director, in the category she wanted most, at a company she loves to work for. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Juan Pablo Martínez is a Colombian designer who has worked in sustainability for more than ten years, and in the fashion industry for more than two decades. One of the first sustainable designers in Latin America, he has also designed for Christian Lacroix, owned a successful boutique, shown his designs at a New York fashion show, and now he works to help educate brands on sustainable fashion. He has consistently found ways to succeed in all of his endeavors, and in this interview he shares all of the valuable lessons he’s learned over his prolific career. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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*Note: This episode has a slight tic on the guest’s audio that we were unable to repair. But the interview is way too good not to share, so thank you for understanding!* 

Freelancing is a hot topic in the fashion industry right now. With almost everyone working from home, more and more companies have realized that remote work and flexible schedules can actually work for their business. And more employees are starting to realize that there are possibilities beyond that 9 to 5 grind! In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, I talk to Kristen Anderson. She’s a successful full-time freelancer, and she shares all the details of how she got here, what she’s learned, and what you can do to launch your freelancing career, and ditch your day job for good!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Anna Triantafellou designs fantasy couture dresses for girls, and her business is now so successful that she supports her family of 3 on only her income. If you’re thinking this kind of success is only possible for lucky people with trust funds, you’ll definitely want to hear Anna’s story. Coming from a traumatic childhood in her native Russia, Anna has worked hard for everything she’s created. You may not think you can start a clothing line on Etsy, but from dog clothes to tutus to high-end couture, she made it happen. Anna creatively adapted to every change and weathered every setback. Listen to the story of how she found her passion, fought for it, and forged her own path to success. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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When you think about starting your own clothing line, you probably imagine garments you designed completely from scratch gracing a magazine page or floating down a runway. But starting a fashion brand takes years and a major investment of cash. If what you really want is to get something of your own design out into the world, there are ways to get a taste of having your own line without the huge risk. In this episode of the SFD podcast, you’ll hear from Etsy success guru Jenni Waldrop of Fuzzy & Birch on how you can use the marketplace to start a clothing line with (almost) no money. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Understanding trends and the direction the market is going to go is vital for anyone working in fashion. Print and textile designers need to understand what consumers are going to be looking for next. Thea Perez founded Polychrome.Design to provide prints as true digital working tools for fashion designers. Along the way, she has honed a process for print and color trend research that gives Polychrome an edge in the fashion industry. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Thea shares how she started her business, how they bring beautiful new prints to the market, and the market research process they use to deliver beautiful, on-trend prints to their clients. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Mat Booth started his fashion career with a product design degree, some knowledge of sports, and a lot of passion. More than 15 years later, he’s a successful freelancer and has his own brand of men’s luggage and accessories. And he does it without living in a fashion hub. Hear Mat’s story of how he got into the industry, his shift into freelancing, and how he funded launching his fashion brand with his freelancing work. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Not all successful fashion designers go to fashion school. Lila Stewart used to do marketing in the music industry, and her husband Jeremy was a political consultant. But when they decided they wanted to start a business with philanthropy at its heart, they found themselves entering the fashion industry with zero experience. In this episode of the SFD podcast, Lila tells the story of how they built HariMari shoes from the ground up. From completely unknown to being carried in every Nordstrom’s in the US, Lila and Jeremy have learned so much about what it takes to launch a fashion brand when you have no experience in the industry. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Like many people working in the industry, Emilee Goff always knew she wanted to go into fashion. But when she managed to score an internship with Scott Sports right after she finished high school, Emilee’s career trajectory changed in ways she never imagined. In this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares what she’s learned along the way.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Selena Leong has worked her way up from production associate, to product development, to technical design, to apparel design. Along the way she’s worked with brands on both coasts including Aeropostale, Forever 21, and even Ralph Lauren. And she did it all without ever going to fashion school. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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If you want to see your garments and accessories in the hands of more than just a few customers, you need to understand how to get your fashion designs into production. On this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, patternmaker and designer Xochil Herrera Scheer of The Chicago Patternmaker draws on over a decade of experience to share what she’s learned about factories, production, and bringing your designs to life!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the influx of major current events took over our collective awareness. While we know how seriously these issues are affecting the fashion industry and our individual listeners, we hope that you enjoy this break for a bit of normalcy.

From internship to senior designer by the time she was 27? Outdoor and motorcyle apparel designer Kelsey Runge did it, and in this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares exactly what she’s done to design her perfect career. She says she’s had a lot of luck, but it took a ton of work and smart moves to get her where she is today.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Do you really need a contract as a freelance fashion designer? What should your contract include? On this episode of the SFD Podcast, you’ll hear from small business attorney Andrea Sager on contracts, design ownership, payment disputes, and the best ways to protect yourself and your assets as a freelance fashion designer. For the complete show notes, head to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Noemie Jouas is a self-taught designer who runs a bespoke dress brand that keeps her steadily busy with several clients a month. She describes her business as “a dream come true!” The incredible part? She’s still in college! Learn how she got started, where she finds her clients, and the one thing she says has made everything she’s accomplished possible. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Note: This episode was recorded a few months ago, before the world got turned upside down. While we don't discuss how Covid-19 is affecting the industry, we hope you enjoy taking a break from the constant coverage for some fashion and normalcy.

Understanding trends is so important when you work in fashion. If you want your designs to stand out and capture your market, you can’t just know what’s big now; you have to know what’s going to be big next. That’s where trend forecasters like Wendy Bendoni come in. 

From her two+ decades of experience in trend analysis and fashion marketing, including working at WGSN, Wendy shares why trends are the lifeblood of fashion, how trend forecasting has evolved over the past 20+ years, what to do if trend analysis sounds like work you want to pursue, and how as a designer you can sharpen your eye to spot what’s next in YOUR niche.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic took over all of our lives. While we know your world may be turned upside down right now, we hope you’ll enjoy a break from the 24/7 coverage of current events for a little bit of fashion talk and simple normalcy!

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, you’ll hear from Belinda Jacobs of Tech Packs Co on what a tech pack REALLY needs, why they are SO important, and how you can be sure yours gets the job done RIGHT!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Freelance pattern maker and product development specialist Alison Hoenes left her full-time job after just 3½ years in the industry to pursue a freelance career. Since then, she has perfected her niche, gone from zero customers to a steady clientele, and she now makes more than her full-time job working just 40 mostly-remote hours per week! Want to know how she got from fashion school to a freelancing dream life in just 5 years? Listen to this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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How do you prevent your fashion designs from being stolen and safeguard your brand? And as a business owner, how do you legally protect yourself and your assets? On this episode of the SFD Podcast, you’ll hear from fashion industry attorney Andrea Sager on copyrights, trademarks, and other ways to be smart and protect your fashion designs, business name, and more. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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When you’re launching a label, there are so many options and details that it can overwhelm even the most savvy designer. One of the questions you may be asking is, “Should I sell my fashion brand wholesale or direct-to-consumer?”

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, you’ll hear from Ellie Mae Waters, founder and creative director of slow fashion brand Ellie Mae Studios. Through trial and error, Ellie Mae found that direct-to-consumer, small-batch, slow fashion was the best model to get her designs into the hands of both celebrities like Mila Kunis and everyday women who want modern staples made to last a lifetime.

• How Ellie Mae got started in fashion (even after she decided university wasn’t for her!);
• The ways the fashion industry has broken her heart, and why she stuck it out;
• The ups and downs of the first year of her brand;
• How one person almost destroyed Ellie Mae Studios from within!;
• The winding path she took to perfect her business model;
• The creative and practical reasons she decided to shift away from wholesale;
• Who’s on her team and how they share the workload;
• Why Ellie Mae Studios uses unusual pricing for their pieces;
• And more!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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In this special episode, Heidi chats with her husband Marc about her journey in fashion. Heidi talks about the one thing that has contributed to her success more than anything else, and how you can do the same for yourself!  

• How the history of the SFD podcast mirror’s Heidi’s overall journey in fashion;
• How Heidi broke into fashion with NO experience;
• Her journey from that first step to the pinnacles of her career (so far!); 
• The most important factor Heidi credits with achieving her biggest goals;
• Some of the “wrong” steps she took, and how they still played a role in her success;
• How you can apply what she’s learned to your own career;
• And more!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Steve Villanueva is an entrepreneur with a history of success in multiple industries. And, like at least 40% of men, he’s also less than 5 foot 9 inches tall. Frustrated with clothes that just weren’t made to fit short men, Steve set out to find a better way to design clothing for this underserved market. The things he discovered in his research and the unique approach he’s taken with his brand, Otero Menswear, may surprise you. 

• Why not studying fashion in school may have given Steve an advantage;
• One reason even the most talented designers can fail when they launch their brand;
• One of the most important steps Steve took FIRST; 
• The cultural issue that drove their design concept;
• Why it’s not just about making things shorter;
• What Steve discovered about over 90% of men that helped his brand take shape--Literally!
• Why Otero’s business model is difficult for retail… And why they forged ahead with it anyway;
• The marketing challenges Steve wasn’t expecting;
• What he credits for Otero’s miniscule number of returns;
• Steve’s new strategy to change the retail game;
• And more!

For the full show notes, including links to the people and resources mentioned, head to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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Michele Mavi is a recruiter and Strengths Coach who’s worked with fashion job seekers for over 15 years. On this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares what she’s learned about landing the best fashion job for YOUR unique set of skills and strengths. 

• Why understanding your strengths is so important
• Ideas you can use today to start identifying your strengths
• How to search for the RIGHT job (not just A job)
• The common résumé mistake that’s holding you back--and how to fix it
• What employers want to hear from a candidate for any kind of role
• Tips for how to make the most of your strengths even with your least favorite tasks
• A super important way to stand out when you apply for a fashion job
• Tips for working in a team with different personality types
• And more!

For the full show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned in the episode, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Guests on the SFD podcast tend to fall into one of three categories: They’re employed by a company in the industry, they work as a fashion freelancer, or they’ve launched their own brand. In this episode, you’ll hear from someone who has done all three! If you’re wondering how to become a remote fashion freelancer, this episode is for you. 

• How Lily’s super specific degree helped her strong start in the industry
• What it was like designing collections for factories in Sri Lanka
• Her experience with the value of really knowing your niche and your customer
• The unique way she moved from working for a company to starting her brand
• How Lily managed to get her designs featured in major publications like Vogue--without hiring a PR company
• Why she decided to shut down a successful brand and become a remote fashion freelancer
• How she got started freelancing--and what she would do differently now
• What Lily says was a major factor in her freelance success
• How she stays busy despite not living in a major city
• What she’s learned about pricing, getting clients, and the tricky waters of navigating freelance projects
• And more!

For the full show notes, including links to everything mentioned, head over to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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In this special episode, check out Heidi’s interview on the Spirit of 608 podcast. The interview, which originally aired in March 2018, focuses on her work as a freelance fashion designer, and Heidi doles out tons of valuable freelancing advice for the fashion industry. She talks candidly about her fashion journey, sharing the highs, the lows, and the lessons she learned the hard way on her way to creating work and a lifestyle she loves.

It was a direction she never expected to go, but now that she knows how freelancing can change a designer’s life, Heidi wants to share what she’s learned with YOU. 

• Heidi’s journey from graphic design school to Successful Fashion Designer
• Why having your own label may not be as glamorous as it seems
• The “dream” jobs that Heidi walked away from
• How she found her perfect fit as a designer
• Tips for fashion freelancers looking for their first clients
• How doing less as a freelancer actually helps you earn more
• What you should do differently when you’re pitching for freelance work (or ANY type of job!)
• Where to start when setting your rates 
• And more!

For the full show notes, including links to resources and people mentioned, head to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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Have you been dreaming of beginning a freelance career, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve been freelancing for a while, but you still have a ton of questions! Between pricing, juggling projects, finding clients and resources, and more, it can be overwhelming to navigate the fashion freelancing world alone. In this special AMA episode, two 6-figure+ freelance fashion designers, answer YOUR freelancing questions. 

For the full show notes, including links, resources, and more, head to Successful Fashion Designer! 

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(On this special episode, I get personal. If that's not your thing, no worries--it's back to fashion insider interviews on the very next episode!)

I got bad news spring 2017 when I was 35. My husband and I were in line at the airport heading to Costa Rica when my phone rang.  It was my doctor with test results, so I answered with "I’m heading on vacation, don’t tell me anything, I’ll call you in 10 days." Instead, she blurted out, "you’re in menopause, and you’ll probably never get pregnant." In the middle of the airport, I burst into tears.

It’s been a long 2.5 years since we got that phone call, and my husband Marc and I have dealt with a lot. During this time, we have also learned that what we’re going through is actually REALLY COMMON. Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples, and female factor is more common than male. Since I know that the majority of my followers are women between 25-45, something like this will affect A LOT of you. And so I feel some sort of obligation to talk openly about it for a few reasons: ✅ Education and awareness (I had no idea this was an issue until it hit me) ✅ To help you feel less alone (this stuff can be taboo, but it shouldn’t) ✅ To give you a chance to share your story (and tell you mine). This week is Thanksgiving here in the US, and I’m happy to tell you that Marc and I have a lot to be thankful for. If you’re going through any type of infertility, my deepest thoughts are with you. I’m 100% transparent about what we’ve experienced and want to see this topic become more approachable for everyone. If you have questions, want a shoulder to lean on, or care to share your story, I’m here for you. Email me anytime.

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When you first decide to work in the fashion industry, going to fashion school can seem like the one thing you need to score your dream job. But as many fashion graduates discover, completing that degree is only one step in the complicated and sometimes frustrating process of breaking into the industry. 

In this interview, designer Kate Norkeliunas shares all the details of how she landed her first design job with a well-known company right out of college--without having to work retail, take unpaid work, or move back home!

• How she decided to change her major to fashion after pursuing a different field for 2 years
• What she did to boost her chances of getting an interview
• What she did for interviews that helped her stand out 
• The dream job that didn’t happen
• How she scored her first design job right out of college
• What it was like starting her first job for a big company in NYC
• What she does as an assistant designer and the part she plays in the design and production process
• The biggest part of her job--that she DIDN’T learn in fashion school
• The biggest lesson from her first year working in fashion
• And more!

For the full show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to our website, Successful Fashion Designer!

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Is it possible to start a successful fashion brand when your niche is super small? 

Meet Erika Neumayer Ehrat of Rare Dirndl. Her full time job is designing and selling dirndls. Never found yourself desperately scouring the web for the perfect dirndl? We’re not surprised! It’s such a tiny niche market, it may not seem like a sustainable business model. But by knowing her customer so well that she’s even given her a name, Erika makes a living creating something extremely special for a small but dedicated customer base. 

• What even is a dirndl, anyway?
• The smart moves Erika made early on in her business
• What she learned from her years doing festivals and pop-up shops
• Why Erika narrowed her already small niche down further…
• ...and even further, and how she got super clear on her ideal customer
• The second ideal customer avatar that surprised her
• What she’s learned about creating a website to sell your designs
• How blogging on other topics helps her find her customers
• How she handles returns and custom designs
• The marketing strategy that works for her today 
• And more!

For the full show notes, head to the SFD website!

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Fashion is a tough scene. Even when you manage to break into the fashion industry, how do you get into your dream category? With so much competition for design jobs, it seems like luck can play the biggest factor in many designer’s careers. But what if you could make luck work for you?

In this episode, we spoke to Allion Juhasz. Allison has spent ten years in the industry, designing for big outdoor apparel names like Scott, UnderArmor, Obermeyer, and Ultimate Direction. 

These opportunities were open to Allison because she made the right moves at the right times. She readily admits that she’s been lucky--but she shares tons of ways that you can become lucky too! Follow her lead, and boost your chances of getting to design for the category YOU want most.

• How she got into fashion--with a bachelor’s in marine biology
• How she got “lucky” with jobs--again and again!
• Why she left her first dream job (and what she would have done differently)
• Why she quit another job many designers would kill for--without a job lined up!
• Her tips for networking when it doesn’t come naturally to you
• How she has scored more great opportunities over the years
• Why working for a big brand isn’t always the best option
• How she spends her days in a smaller company with diverse aspects to her role
• Details about the product design and development process
• And more!

• Allison on Instagram
• Allison on LinkedIn
• Ultimate Direction
• Successful Fashion Designer: Free Resources for Fashion Designers!

• Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
• Subscribing on iTunes
• Subscribing on YouTube
• Subscribing on Stitcher
• Subscribing on Google Play
• Subscribing on Spotify

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Sometimes it seems like there are as many ways to sell your fashion brand as there are types of fabric! But when you’re starting a fashion brand, should you sell your pieces on consignment? 

On this show, you’ll hear from Sam Murkoff. Sam’s brand, Manhattan Knights, was born when he started refashioning vintage tee shirts for himself and his friends in middle school. 

Sam got his brand where it is today by starting small, leveraging the ability to sell his work on consignment, and knocking on a LOT of doors. In the interview he shares details on everything he did in the first few years of launching a fashion brand. 

• How Sam transitioned from making shirts for his friends to selling to the public
• Why his brand was a little too niche, and what he did about it
• How he self-funded the early days of his brand
• The hugely valuable job that most people underestimate
• How he chose the first factory that produced his designs
• The little ways he made his pieces feel more upscale
• How working with a showroom helped evolve his brand
• Why he let go of one of the core tenets of his original brand
• The pros and cons of selling on consignment as a new designer
• The CRAZY way he got the word out about his brand
• And more!

Despite a lifelong interest in fashion, Sam Murkoff didn’t intend to become a fashion designer. In his early teens, he cut up and reassembled garments, infusing his own unique style into clothes for himself and his friends. When he got to college, he majored in theater and began working in luxury retail. Aside from a little screenprinting, design wasn’t really on his mind. But when he realized he needed a creative outlet, he started making shirts again. That’s when Manhattan Knights really began.

Sam quickly discovered that there was more interest in the clothes he was creating than just his inner circle. When the screen printer he’d been using encouraged him to get his work out there, he started offering his designs on consignment at small boutiques. 

This first line of streetwear, which played on his private school experience and satirized some major brands, came to be known as Cease & Desist. It appealed to a niche New York audience that grew his confidence and convinced him to make a real go at launching a brand.

Since that first success, Sam has faced a steep learning curve. He’s continued to sell his work on consignment, worked with a showroom, and changed his production methods repeatedly. He’s now designing clothing that takes the sardonic humor of his early designs to a cut-and-sew line that transcends season and defies description. He’s had to pivot over and over in the process of creating a fashion brand that can actually sell. He also made one of the boldest moves we’ve heard of to publicize his fledgeling label! 

Through it all, Sam has kept his eye on the goal of taking his bold inspiration and irreverent sartorial attitude to a wider market, without losing the essence of where Manhattan Knights began.

• Manhattan Knights on Instagram
• Sam Murkoff on Instagram
• Shop Manhattan Knights

• Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
• Subscribing on iTunes
• Subscribing on YouTube
• Subscribing on Stitcher
• Subscribing on Google Play
• Subscribing on Spotify

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Starting a fashion brand from scratch is a massive challenge. And when you don’t have big investors and influential connections, it can seem impossible. But these three young entrepreneurs found a way to beat the odds and make their brand a reality. 

Meet Salvatore Graci, Angelo Acquista, and Luca Graci, founders of luxury streetwear brand CSNV (Casanova). Their passion and seemingly endless determination helped them take CSNV from just an idea to the runway at LA Fashion Week and beyond.

It sounds like a fairytale, but it wasn’t an easy journey. They share their highs, their lows, and the many lessons they learned along the way!

• The first steps Salvo, Angelo, and Luca took when they decided to launch a brand
• How they made cold emailing work for them
• The personality traits that helped make them successful
• What moves helped them grow their brand’s exposure--and what fell flat!
• How they went about finding factories that could produce their designs (when searching on the internet got them nowhere!)
• The marketing campaign that failed, and how they regained their footing
• Why they turned down a huge investor
• How they got ready for LA Fashion Week
• When they quit their day jobs
• And more!

Luca, Angelo, and Salvatore were all less than 24 years old when they decided to turn their passion for elevated, Italian-inspired streetwear into a label of their own. 

It started with a phone call. Salvatore and Angelo had joked about starting a fashion line since high school, but a few years later, Salvo called Angelo and told him they should really do it. 

Angelo’s response? “Why not?” They had no experience and no real connections in the industry when they started. Yet in less than two years they went from cold-emailing influencers from Instagram, to being invited to LA Fashion Week. 

The road wasn’t without its obstacles. The guys recall starting out with optimism and enthusiasm, but they had plenty of setbacks. They sent hundreds of emails that never got a response. They made trip after trip to Italy to search for factories and suppliers, spending their savings and coming back exhausted, with nothing to show for it. 

“We’d come back from a trip and feel like we're still at zero. We're like, what? We just spent so much money, we spent so much time and effort... and yet we're still at zero. So what do we do?”

What they did was keep on going. Although they all had times where they wanted to give up, eventually they found their footing, and gained the traction they needed to turn Casanova into a successful brand. 

The guys and their brand are still evolving. Since recording the episode, they’ve rebranded again, and they’re still working on new pieces and new ways of getting their designs seen all over the world. One thing’s for sure: from “No way,” to the jetway, to the runway, these three were relentless in pursuing their dream. And it’s just the beginning. 

• CSNVstudio.com
• CSNV on Instagram

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Whether you’re still in fashion school, or you’re looking toward your next opportunity, you’re probably wondering how to stand out in your fashion career. In such a competitive industry, it can feel like an uphill battle to even get noticed by fashion hiring managers among stiff competition. 

On this episode, we talk to London designer Barbara Houghton. With over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, Barbara has been on both ends of the hiring process, and she wants to share what she’s learned about standing out in fashion and always getting the job!

• Important things to look for when choosing a fashion school--because not all programs do this!
• The downside to working for high-end brands early in your career
• What Barbara did before the interview for her first job to give herself an edge (it’s something you should definitely be doing, too!)
• How Barbara survived her first job in London, and the realities of starting your fashion career in a major city 
• The super creative way Barbara scored her next job as a fashion designer
• Her experience in a super creative role… and why she decided to leave it
• How she transitioned to working for a brand she really loves
• As a hiring manager, the top things she looks for when interviewing potential hires
• And more!

From landing her first job in the fashion industry before she even finished fashion school, to working as a senior designer for a major supplier, UK fashion designer Barbara Houghton knows what it takes to get noticed by employers in the fashion industry. Over the course of her career, Barbara has gone from an assistant job she compares to The Devil Wears Prada to leading a division for one of the biggest suppliers of UK highstreet fashion. 

Through creativity and an intelligent and intentional approach to the job market, Barbara has been able to consistently move forward in her career. She has managed to always land that next great opportunity as her goals and desires have evolved.

BREAKING IN    

Barbara still recalls feeling lucky to have found a job in fashion starting right after graduation (and she tells us how she did it!).  Barbara didn’t have the advantage of her family paying for her education. So when she graduated from fashion school, she had to begin repaying her loans while surviving in London on a shoestring salary. 

That first job was incredibly demanding, with long hours and little reward. But putting in her time and giving 100% to that entry level position was worth it--when she was ready to move on, she was told she was very employable, because she “had worked in one of the hardest places there is to work.” 

Barbara happily moved on to bigger and better things, from creating collections start to finish for a highstreet boutique, to spotting trends for Miss Selfridge. She traveled the world as a freelance fashion designer for brands like New Look, Tesco, and Joy, before moving on to building and running a successful department for a major highstreet supplier. 

Barbara’s hard work and creative moves have taken her far in her fashion career. With a little determination and Barbara’s smart approach to job success, you too can stand out, upgrade your fashion career, and score the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of!

• Barbara’s Instagram
• University of Central Lancashire
• WGSN

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It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired June 12, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved!

In this episode I’m chatting with Chris Kidd, founder of Style Careers, the largest fashion only job listing site. With inside access to fashion industry employers and exposure to job seekers at their career fairs, Chris has learned what works - and what doesn't - in the job hunting process. We discussed the importance of presenting yourself as a modern candidate, what sectors of the industry are booming, and the most important information to include on your resume.

• What the first inch of your resume must include to catch the employer's attention
• What parts of the industry are dying, and what parts are booming
• Guidance for young job seekers and advice for breaking into the industry
• Advice for older job seekers to stay up to date and relevant
• The importance of taking risks
• How fashion is competing with other "must have" items and why designers need to be aware of this
• Why the fashion industry is in a rut and what designers need to do to break out of it

• Style Careers job search site
• Style Portfolios
• Fashion Career Fairs
• Style Dispatch for industry news
• Fashion Retail job search site

• Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
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It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired November 26, 2018, was nominated as one listeners loved!

Being a lingerie designer is its own unique and interesting niche of working in the fashion industry. There are tons of different things you have to think about compared to designing, let’s say, shirts or jackets.

But it’s a pretty cool job! Laurie Van Jonsson knows this firsthand. From launching her own lingerie brand that was sold in TopShop to working for other companies, she knows the ins and outs of being a lingerie designer.

Her 15 years of experience make her an expert in this category, and in this interview, she shares it all. From how she broke into the lingerie industry, how she sold her designs to global retailers, and how she ultimately became a freelance lingerie designer.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

• Designing within constraints and restrictions in the lingerie design industry (that’s how she found her niche!)
• The mistakes (many people make) of trying to cater to too many markets
• Working with large manufacturers as a lingerie designer
• Having the passion and belief in your product to sew it all yourself (by hand!)
• How to be the lingerie designer that stands out with major retail buyers (being “pest-like” was described as a positive trait here!)
• How Laurie started blogging, grew her business, wrote and published a book, and managed the supply and demand for niche lingerie sizes.
• How Laurie’s freelance work built off of the momentum of her other projects
• The mistakes people make when starting their own fashion brand
• Advice on the best way to start strong, save time, and save money
• Working with people as a freelancer in the lingerie fashion industry
• Setting clear expectations and scope with freelance clients
• How Laurie built a foundation of inbound referrals that led to projects
• The challenges of working with people across the globe
• And so much more!  

Freelance Designer with Lingerie Leanings

Laurie van Johnson, a lingerie designer who started out in the industry back in 2003, first worked as a lingerie designer for brands, but quickly built her own brand of full cup, small back bras that she's sold throughout the world, including TopShop. Laurie now works as a freelance fashion designer working with other startup brands to help them launch labels and get patterns, grading, and tech packs all in order so that their bras and lingerie fit perfectly. After fifteen years in the fashion industry, she has great stories and loads of advice for freelancers and budding branders alike.

Laurie has a rich history in the fashion industry. She studied Fashion and Textiles in school, and focused her obsession with detail into lingerie and swimwear as soon as she could. She focused her expertise on a small niche of the lingerie market, and quickly became an expert in the industry. She wrote “How to Become a Lingerie Designer” in 2012, and currently specializes in working with startup designers.

Advice for Every Fashion Designer

Laurie draws up designs, writes spec sheets, produces tech packs, and provides consultation for the startup lingerie designers of the world. She launched Van Jonsson Design again in September 2018, and she writes technical books, design sheets, and design patterns full time. Laurie spoke about finding her niche, what to charge freelance clients, and how she stood out with major retail buyers. Her passion for her craft is contagious and we know you’ll love hearing about her experience in the lingerie design realm!

• Laurie van Jonsson Website
• Laurie van Jonsson Instagram
• Vanjo
• Laurie van Jonsson Facebook
• Laurie van Jonsson Blog

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There are a lot of different paths to becoming a freelance fashion designer. And Heather Royer took one I’d never heard of before. Instead of working directly with brands, she got her first freelance opportunity designing for a factory in China.

The best part? There are ways you can create the same freelance opportunities for yourself, and she shares step by step her best advice to do this.

In her 20+ years in the industry, Heather has worked for brands like Target, LL Bean, REI and Talbots. She now runs a team of 9 full time fashion designers located around the world while working remote from her home in south Florida.

And it all started with one freelance gig from LinkedIn.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we will cover:

• The simple change you can make to your LinkedIn profile to attract brands or factories looking for freelancers
• How to turn one freelance project into many to get more work and make more money
• What brands are looking for when interviewing and hiring freelance fashion designers
• How to give your opinion and feedback about design without sounding pushy or negative
• Why staying in touch with past coworkers and industry friends can make or break your success (even if you’re uncomfortable “networking”)
• What Heather’s transition from working as an employee to working freelance looked like and how you can do the same
• What Heather learned at her first (big!) freelance project for a Chinese company
• How she made the decision to start hiring designers to help her
• The skills Heather looks for in her own freelance candidates-for-hire
• How Heather runs her freelance business and the freelancers that work for her

FROM 4H TO FASHION

Heather Royer has created a job for herself that is unlike anything we’ve heard of before here at Successful Fashion Designer. But like most fashion designers, fashion was just a hobby in her early life. But she did get an early start! Heather was in 4H when she was little (the kids club that does hands-on projects surrounding health, science, and agriculture), and loved the sewing aspect of the group. She started making clothing when she was 7 years old! We’d say “the rest is history,” but we’d be leaving a lot out (like when she worked for the park service in Alaska building hiking trails–how cool is that??).

Knowing she always had a passion for working in the fashion industry, she took fashion classes on the side, and then made the commitment to going to Rhode Island School of Design. She started designing kids’ outdoor clothes (talk about blending her loves), and then got a great first job as “just” an assistant–but she loved it! It was “the bottom of the barrel,” but she got great exposure to the industry that way.

THEN CAME THE FREELANCING

Heather’s freelancing career came about as more of a necessity–she wanted to move to Florida, but knew there weren’t going to be a lot of jobs in the fashion industry. So she took her fate into her own hands: she started working on her portfolio, working on her own projects, and branching out. She started her own jewelry line, and got a taste of business for herself. When one of her contacts on LinkedIn reached out to her about an opportunity, she was ready.

This is where her career path delved into the unknown. Much like her work for the park service, Heather made her own… fashion-hiking-trail, if you will. What started as a simple proposal for a factory in China for men’s cold weather goods turned into a huge project and eventually a team of 9 full-time designers working for her.

How? Partly the usual way: she gave it her all. She worked long long (long) hours, did tight turns, bent over backwards. But she also vocalized her ideas, drew on her previous experience, and eventually started outsourcing her workload to other freelancers, as well. Freelancing begets more freelancing! As much as she cringed at “networking,” she made it work with her friends and contacts.

SUCCESSFUL (FREELANCE) FASHION DESIGNER

Now that she’s the Vice President of Design and Operations for Weihai Luda Company, Heather is still looking forward. She has plans to build a private label, her own brands, and chooses to think of her company as an investment portfolio that she diversifies and keeps flexible. Heather’s rich experience building her own business has led to enormous insight into the life of a successful freelance fashion designer, and her advice is applicable to almost any fashion designer. She’s learned how to delegate, how to build a team, how to outline tangible results, and how to make sure things are getting done, all while acknowledging that the fashion industry is “not always glamorous. If you can see the humor in that, it’ll go a lot farther.”

We loved hearing Heather’s inspirational story–you really can create the job you want!

• Heather Royer on LinkedIn

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It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired May 28, 2018, was nominated as one listeners loved.

The fashion job search process is not one to be taken lightly. Thankfully, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is Shellie Simpson, the Fashion Division Talent Director at Atrium Staffing. Shellie and her team at Atrium are creating a more personable relationship between top talent candidates and recruiters.

She shares her 4 best practices for aspiring fashion professionals, and her insights will surely make your job search process easier and more enjoyable. She also explains the common freelance/employee dilemma, how to get started with a talent recruiter, and the one area that should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews.

Shellie shares this advice in a transparent and honest way that you don’t want to miss.

A fashion professional’s most effective tool is their portfolio – a creative display of your most effective ideas and a showcase of your design process. Shellie explains that interviewers want to see your work in Adobe Creative Suite programs and how you complete your design process. It’s also critical to demonstrate through your portfolio where you draw your inspiration from.

Regarding the size of your portfolio, you can highlight your capabilities without overwhelming your interviewer. Including every project since your fashion school days may not be necessary – ensure you tailor your portfolio specifically for every company. Hear the full details on why portfolios can be your biggest asset when completed well by listening to this episode. 

Resumes go through trends, just as every other segment in the fashion industry. The current best practice is to keep it simple! Shellie explains that many interviewers favor easy to scan, bullet-point format resumes. Results-driven resume language can also set you apart from the competition. Go beyond just a list of tasks that you performed! Be sure to explain if one of your designs became a best-seller, or if you increased revenue by a certain percentage.

Shellie also explains the importance of letting your recruiter and/or interviewer know about any gaps in employment that may be on your resume. It will come up in conversation, and it’s important to explain why the gap is present and what you were working on during that time period. Remember, the average interviewer only spends 6 seconds per resume, so yours needs to highlight your best achievements in a succinct, engaging way.

After you’ve worked with a recruiter, fine-tuned your resume, and perfected your portfolio the final step is to interview in-person with an employer. If you chose to work with a recruiter, they will help prepare you for the interview because they know the client. It’s essential to research the company and know their product well before walking through the door.

You should also study your own resume ahead of time. Develop ways to explain your resume in an engaging, storytelling manner. Consider bringing printed tech packs, swatches, knits, or other physical items to supplement your portfolio and resume. Shellie explains, “Whatever physical items you decide to bring, they should show how you’re always drawing inspiration from the world around you.”

Keeping everything organizing, being authentic and relatable, and asking questions are sure to allow you the greatest chances of success in your in-person interviews. For more tips, don’t miss this episode.

The most important takeaway from this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is the importance of internships. Shellie says that “They’re so key to getting a position in the industry, and they’ll help elevate you moving forward.” Internships completed while in school and post-graduation will allow you to build your network and work on “real world” projects.

Even if they are unpaid opportunities, don’t immediately shy away from them. The academic credit and resume-building experience alone will put you light years ahead of students who have fewer internships under their belt. The sweat equity will be worth it, we promise. Don’t miss the rest of this conversation with Shellie, you’ll be glad you listened!

• Connect with Shellie on LinkedIn
• Email Shellie
• Atrium Staffing website
• Follow Atrium Staffing on Twitter
• Follow Atrium Staffing on Facebook

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It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired June 26, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved. 

Being a freelance textile designer can feel like a daunting process to tackle. It’s hard to figure out how to price your work and whether or not you should work with an agency or print house.

Which is why I’m so excited to share the latest episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast with Michelle Fifis, founder of Pattern Observer and creator of the Textile Design Lab, a blog and community that helps creatives grow their textile design business.

Michelle’s done textile work for Columbia Sportswear, Lucy Activewear, Jantzen Swimwear, Perry Ellis and had been featured in Stylesight.com, Elle Decor, and Nordstrom. In the interview, she shares how she got started and worked her way up in the industry, her strategy for leaving her full time job to start freelancing, and how she grew her blog into a successful online business. Michelle and I also talked about how to choose and start working with an agency or print house, how to stay motivated when you feel deflated, and not only how to price your work, but how to gracefully raise your prices.

• -The role a textile designer plays in the fashion world
• -The pros and cons of working with an agent or print house
• -How to rediscover your creativity when you feel stuck
• -The importance of having patience with your career growth
• -How to stay up to date on trends if you don’t have access to expensive services like WGSN
• -The importance of having a community and not working in a vacuum.

• Pattern Observer blog
• Why it’s okay to take a break from social media
• Surtex textile show
• Vogue.

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It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired October 30, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved. 

Attending a trade show is expensive, so before you go, make sure you’re fully prepared. Get industry expert advice from Trish of DG Expo to make the most of your textile trade show visits. Learn what mistakes you should avoid, and how to walk away with the right fabrics, trims and contacts for your fashion brand.

Trish has worked with companies that support startup and indie designers since 2009. Her breadth of knowledge isn’t just around trade shows, but the business that goes on behind launching and building a successful brand.

From how to get started to ensure success (yes, it includes finances and costing) to how to make the most of your trade show visit, she’s extremely knowledgeable and graciously shared tons of tips during our interview.

If you’re launching a label, you don’t want to miss this episode. You’ll discover not only how to make your trade show visit worthwhile, but also hear Trish’s insights on making it as a startup designer.

• When you should attend your first tradeshow (hint: it’s sooner than you think)
• How to prepare for a successful show
• Why follow up after the show is the most important part of building relationships
• The difference between sourcing at a small show like DG Expo vs a large show like Magic
• How to explain to suppliers what you want if you don’t speak the right lingo

• DG Expo Website
• Nineteenth Amendment
• California Apparel News

• Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
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Working in the fashion industry can be brutal. The long days, late nights, and cutthroat competition can make balancing a fashion career and motherhood seem impossible.

But the reality is that women everywhere are finding ways to make it work. While there’s no magic answer for every situation, there are many ways to balance a career in fashion with being a mom.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Karrie Foley. Karrie has a successful career as a freelance fashion designer, and has done it all while raising four young children. She’s here to share some of her secrets for success!

• How Karrie got started working in the fashion industry
• Why a “top” fashion design school isn’t always the best option
• How Karrie managed to grow her career without living in New York or LA
• How she kept working after the birth of her first child
• What she did to get back into the fashion industry after taking three years off!
• How she jumped across fashion design categories and avoided getting pigeonholed
• What Karrie believes have been the keys to her continued success (Hint: You can do this too!)
• How she landed a great job right out of college
• Why it’s worth it to be kind in an unkind industry
• How Karrie is balancing her fashion design career with motherhood today
• And more!

From a young age, Karrie Foley knew she wanted to work in the fashion industry. Like many young aspiring designers, she dreamed of attending Parsons or FIT. But when the time came for college, her parents encouraged her to stay open to other options. Karrie ultimately settled on the University of Cincinnati, and that decision would have a profound effect on the direction of her fashion career.

When she graduated, Karrie was able to turn an internship with Limited Too into a full-time job. From there, she went on to work for other big brands, including Disney Stores and Lane Bryant.

When Karrie became pregnant with her first child, she knew things would have to change. As a full-time fashion designer, she’d been working long hours that she knew she couldn’t sustain once her baby was born. She originally planned to resign. But her hard work, and her great relationship with her boss, lead to a rare part-time position. That gave her the opportunity to work in the fashion industry while raising her first and second children.  

Karrie did eventually take time off when she had twins. But when she was ready, she managed to jump back into the industry--with multiple offers!

Today, Karrie works full-time hours as a freelance designer for Thirty-One Gifts. She puts a lot into her job, and still makes time to be there with her kids. While she doesn’t have a perfect life, Karrie shows us that it’s really possible to balance motherhood with a successful career in fashion.

• Karrie’s Instagram
• Karrie on LinkedIn
• Karrie’s Facebook
• University of Cincinnati DAAP School of Design
• Thirty-One Gifts

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Kimberly Ponniah didn’t take the typical route into the fashion world. Yet through grit and perseverance, she went from knowing almost nothing about the industry to running a successful fashion design business. She now works full-time designing her own line of accessories, Wild June.

Through years of experience, Kimberly learned how to use festival vending and more to grow a fashion brand from the ground up. From the euphoria of a successful launch to hating her business, she has been through highs and lows. Now, she’s sharing what she learned with you.

• How Kimberly got started in her fashion design career
• What she did to make her first-ever festival a success
• What it’s like working with factories as an unknown designer
• How Kimberly dealt with a factory that couldn’t deliver on its promises
• Kimberly’s sink-or-swim moment--and how she managed to make the most of a product disaster!
• How she used exposure at festivals to build her customer base
• How Kimberly funded the early years of her fashion design business without burning out
• What she learned from her experiences with trade shows, wholesaling, and working with a showroom--and what she wishes she had done differently
• How Kimberly missed out on her dream account--Twice!!
• How WildJune has evolved to earn 5X the income
• The most valuable resources Kimberly relied on as a new fashion designer
• And more!

Kimberly didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in fashion design. In college, she studied business. But she never quite fit in. After she graduated, she realized she’d chosen the wrong major. When she started traveling and fell in love with India, she knew she wanted to build a career that would let her spend more time there.

In 2011, after a lot of research and some fateful advice from a business advisor, Kimberly decided to start her own line of belt bags. Since she didn’t have any background in fashion, she knew she would need help. She started with an ad on Craigslist for a technical designer. That’s how she met Liz, who became an invaluable advisor and friend. Liz helped Kimberly learn the ropes and plan for the ups and downs of starting out as a new fashion designer. Together they finalized Kimberly’s designs and put her very first sample run into production.

Kimberly quit her job and let go of her apartment before she even received the first shipment of her new accessories. The day she received her products, she barely looked at them before putting the box in her car and driving ten hours to set up as a vendor outside Burning Man. She wasn’t even sure she’d be accepted as a vendor!

Kimberly’s courage paid off. She was allowed to sell at the bazaar, and that first festival was a huge success. Kimberly sold almost everything she had brought. But getting started in the fashion design business isn’t always smooth sailing.

Kimberly happily returned to India, and spent six months there looking for factories to put her line into production. Finding factories as an unknown fashion designer was hard work, and she had to figure things out as she went. It didn’t get easier after choosing a factory. Her first production run was delayed by months. And when it came, things got worse.

Kimberly had put down $7,000–a huge amount to her, yet only a third of the factory’s minimum order. And instead of the beautiful belt bags she’d been waiting for, she found herself neck deep in merchandise that was literally falling apart.

She could have let that setback derail her. Instead, she set out to get those belts sold. Not only did she do it, but in the process she even grew her brand’s reputation and following. “I was in it for the long haul,” she remembers. It was her sink-or-swim moment, and she asked herself, “Am I gonna sink, or am I gonna swim? I’m a swimmer. I’m gonna swim through this.”  

At that time, Kimberly was working all kinds of “mindless” jobs in order to support her budding fashion business. She was physically exhausted, but she kept her mind on her business goals. Part of that was making her first visit to the MAGIC fashion trade show in Las Vegas. There she met Roger, the owner of a factory in Indonesia. He could produce her designs at a much better quality—with no minimums. This was a major turning point for her fashion design business. Now she had products that matched quality she wanted to be known for.

Although she had found a great niche market, Kimberly wanted to grow her business and branch out from the festival scene. She’d been vending at 13 festivals a year and was ready for a change. So, she brought her new designs to another trade show in New York. That show was another big success. Not only did she write a ton of orders, but she was also noticed by wholesale giant ShopBop.

Wholesale was a different animal. Although her belts sold well, Kimberly had to adjust how she did things. There were intense shipping requirements and major price point differences. She learned a lot about designing fashion accessories for production, but she also felt that it took a toll on her business.

When she realized wholesale wasn’t the right path at the time, Kimberly decided to work with a showroom. She got in touch with several and was excited to be accepted by her first choice. It was a big monthly expense at a time she didn’t even have her own apartment, but she believed it would be worth it. Then she found out there was an even bigger catch: the showroom wanted Kimberly to completely rebrand her business. And they only gave her a month and a half to do it.

As part of her contract, the showroom asked Kimberly to add multiple new designs, new types of accessories she had never made before, create a catalog, and design multiple seasonal collections. But the biggest change was renaming her company. Up to that point, she’d been selling her belt bags under the name Bohemian Hips, but the showroom told her that the name limited her accessories’ market. So she reluctantly--and expensively--rebranded her entire company under the name Wild June. When all was said and done she had invested thousands in the process. Unfortunately, the sales from the showroom were nowhere near what she had hoped.

Although she learned a ton about price points, customer needs, and making herself more marketable, Kimberly quickly realized that the showroom wasn’t the right fit for her fashion accessory business. She moved on, but it took time for her to fall back in love with her business.

Kimberly persevered through all of the setbacks she experienced as a new fashion designer. She had started her journey prepared for years of hard work and no profits, and she made it through. Now, she runs her business full-time--and finally has her own place again! She found a balance with the festivals she attends as a vendor, and has time to be an artist. Looking to the future of Wild June, Kimberly’s thinking about trying wholesale again, and even launching a clothing line.

Kimberly is an example of what’s possible for new fashion designers who are prepared, determined, and willing to work hard to make their dream a reality. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

• Wild June

In this interview with Shelby Collins, we go a little off the beaten path of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast. Shelby is a merchandiser and works in product development--she knew right from the beginning that design wasn’t quite the right path for her, so she did a lot of self-exploration throughout school and found the right path for her through trial and error.

Besides Shelby taking a “non-traditional path” through the design world, and going into something other than design, I want you guys to pay attention to the exact thing that Shelby did to progress her career. She worked her way up--spent a lot of time working for The North Face in California, and now works for VF Corp. Shelby’s career trajectory did not come by accident! She started out in some pretty crummy administrative roles that she hated, but she worked her butt off, got noticed, built friendships and relationships and that’s exactly how she grew her career.

We talk about how she was mindful about creating these relationships in the workplace, and how she was always very intentional about showing that she was willing to put in the work and go the extra mile to stand out, even if it was a project that wasn’t that exciting. She’s experienced such amazing growth in her career--so pay attention to her advice because I know it can help so many of you go so far in your careers as well!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• How Shelby got her start in the fashion industry
• The difference between the production / merchandise part of the business, and the design / development part of the business
• How Shelby knew she wanted to get into merchandising (it all started with a 2007 Burton catalogue!)
• Shelby’s first opportunity after college
• How she proactively prepared for interviews
• How Shelby navigated the “networking” world by authentically and genuinely maintaining relationships
• What Shelby did in her Product Line Coordinator job
• The one thing Shelby wishes people would ask her about working in the fashion industry

SMALL TOWN DREAMS

Shelby grew upon a farm in a small town in Colorado. She always loved looking at magazines and seeing how different things were from her day to day “real world.” Like a lot of us, she really enjoyed expressing herself through apparel--she loved the way she could almost change her mood and how she felt; how she represented herself to the world. So the logical next step after high school? Start in a design program in college (because it’s so hard to know which career path to follow in the fashion industry when you’re brand new!).

But it didn’t feel quite right. She was doing well, but she didn’t feel grounded in the creative space. As a math lover, she wanted more balance and logic thrown into the mix. She kept thinking back to her magazine-flipping days, and specifically remembered a 2007 Burton catalogue--and how disruptive it was. There were badass women in white snowboard gear sitting in mud, completely filthy after snowboarding all day. She remembered how the image had struck her, and knew she wanted to be the person making those decisions. So she checked out merchandising, and got a little closer to her dream.

BREAKING IN AFTER COLLEGE (ALWAYS DIFFICULT, RIGHT?)

Shelby’s last semester at college was a 12-credit internship. School helped her land the gig (a little), but she had to work her butt of to get it. She applied to around 50 internships, and two people called her back...but that’s just how it goes! She googled interview questions and made her dad run through the answers with her (anyone else done this? Such a good idea!), and landed an internship in the marketing department. Sure--it wasn’t the product creation team like she wanted, but she was open to her options. Shelby dug in, learned what she could, and navigated forward from there.

After she graduated, she got a job at the same company she had interned at, but it was in customer service--not her desired career path. But she kept grinding and excelling, and when the company acquired another women’s outdoor brand, an opportunity arose. She became brand coordinator, and so began the marathon of many hats. And she LOVED it. She did materials sourcing, approved material colors, did day-to-day communication with factories, worked with the marketing team on sales tools, organized photo shoots, and so much more. She gained visibility into all areas of the business, and even though the learning curve was steep, and she was scared and insecure every once in a while, she took a deep breath and did it, and learned a ton.

The brand went under and closed after a year, but she got an opportunity to stay on the marketing team on another project. This was another job she wasn’t crazy about, but it motivated her to find something that did make her happy. She reflected on the relationships she had built with her coworkers--she had always been scared of the “networking” word, but was able to connect in a genuine, authentic way with the people she saw every day. She had always been mindful of building and maintaining relationships, so asking her connections for what she needed came naturally and easily for her. “If you do the upfront work of keeping in touch with people frequently, it doesn’t feel as icky when you reach out for connections.” (Write that down!)

JOB HUNTING

The connections she had helped Shelby get an interview in the Bay Area, and she got a job as a Product Line Coordinator where she did...everything. It was similar to what she had done in her brand coordinator position before, but more specific: she prepared meetings, made grids / visual line plans, managed all documents (like the workbook, line plan, image approval), did data entry, managed tools, and had lots of exposure to things like fittings and being at the decision table (finally!). She had always been a detail-oriented person, but this job was perfectly challenging for her. She was promoted twice in her five years at the company.

HER SECRET?

Shelby was never too shy to request feedback from her coworkers and superiors. She constantly wanted to improve, and constantly did so. When asking for promotions and raises, she backed everything up with hard facts. She would talk about which goals she met, the steps she took to achieve those goals, and how she extended beyond those goals. She always focused on the ways she added value to the company, and made sure to always contribute in a positive way.

Shelby is in a new role now (a little over 6 months at the time of the interview) at VF Corporation, a company that owns North Face, Timberland, Vans, etc. She’s on the Innovation Team as the Senior Product Manager. She works on all of the brands at VF Corp., focusing on leveraging cross-brand projects that take personalization and customization to the next level. She’s loving it, and we couldn’t be more excited for her.

Shelby is full of valuable advice for anyone looking to get ahead in the fashion industry, and really anyone looking to level up their networking and interview skills (not to mention she’s a total inspiration in the work ethic department, too). Can’t wait to see Shelby shine in this new role!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Shelby on LinkedIn

• Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
• S...

Judy worked in the industry way back in the 60’s and 70’s in New York and she has so many fun and inspiring stories about what her journey was like through fashion back then. Whether you’re listening for a fun flashback or for some insight into what the New York fashion world was like back then before you were born, you’re going to love this episode!

P.S. This interview was done here in my living room in Denver, and my terrier Lana was home and very excited that the ladies were talking. She doesn’t bark, but she’s definitely there tapping around (and chewing on a bully stick). She’s excited about this episode too!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• How Judy decided to start in the fashion industry
• What it was like working in the fashion industry when she was right out of college in the 60’s
• What it was like working for a t-shirt factory in New York (yes--a factory in New York!)
• How the fax machine changed the lives of the sketches being sent!
• How the car industry would influence the fashion industry
• How Judy presented her ideas (sketching, sketching, sketching!)
• Which celebrity wore her westernwear shirt designs!
• How the fashion industry was different without Adobe Illustrator

FASHION SCHOOL IN THE 60’S

Judy Karp was like a lot of us in that she was always interested in art. She knew she wanted to study that (maybe become an art teacher?) But when it came time to choose a college in the 60’s, her counselor suggested Washington University in St. Louis. When she saw the fashion design course in the brochure, she knew she wanted to try it--she like sewing (“everyone sewed back then”), so she did her four years out there. This was back when FIT was a tiny little course, and RISD was somewhere out there. But Judy got her BFA and made her way into the world.

At first she got a job for Formfit Rogers, but then decided to move to New York. Formfit Rogers had an office out there, so Judy packed up her volkswagon and made her way out there! Shortly after she got a job as an assistant designer at Smartee--one of the first places to actually DO tshirts. Seriously--no one wore t-shirts back then (maybe to the beach), but she got to be on the forefront of creating that trend! Vogue and Harper used to come by the factory (yes, factory in NY) to check out the t-shirt trend. (Thank goodness Judy helped create the t-shirt as we know it--my life would not be the same without them!)

WHAT THE JOB WAS LIKE

As you might imagine, Judy spent a lot of time sketching. And sketching some more, and sketching some more. There wasn’t any way to do anything except by hand, she says. Doing things on a computer “wasn’t normal.” My, how the tides have turned! After working in New York until about ‘78, she made her way west to Denver, Colorado. She worked for Carmen westernwear and got to design western shirts for John Travolta in Urban Cowboy! Yes--he wore her designs!

Judy’s story really is a fascinating insight into the fashion industry in the 60’s and 70’s--you’re going to love it!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Formfit Rogers
• Urban Cowboy

• Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
• Subscribing on iTunes
• Subscribing on YouTube
• Subscribing on Stitcher
• Subscribing on Google Play
• Subscribing on Spotify

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Nicola Osborne is a technical designer who got her break back into the fashion industry after taking 12 years off to raise her family. Getting back to any career after 12 years is a daunting task, but getting back into the fashion industry is an even more intimidating one. As Nicola says in her own words, she felt as though she was “clawing her way up a mountain.”

Nicola talks us through everything she did mentally, emotionally, and skill / learning-wise to get prepared and ultimately land her first opportunity back after her 12-year break. She talks through how she figured out which skills she needed to learn, how she started getting internships as a “non-traditional intern” (i.e. not a young college student), how she prepared her portfolio, and got up to speed on technical skills like Adobe Illustrator and tech packs, and also shares the technique she used on her resume so that the first thing brands saw wasn’t a big 12-year gap.

Nicola also talks us through how she bombed her first interview and exactly why it went so terribly, and what she did to better prepare for future interviews. Whether you’re struggling with your job search now, or you too have taken some time off and are breaking back in, there’s so much great inspiration and insight in our interview today.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• How Nicola got her start in the fashion industry
• The different jobs you can get in the fashion industry
• How she got into childrenswear (and how this niche helped her a lot)
• How Nicola strategically chose her jobs in order to maximize her experience in the fashion industry
• The terror Nicola felt when looking for jobs after a decade of not working in the fashion industry
• How Nicola applied her determination and self-discipline to learn Adobe Illustrator and how to do tech packs to make herself more marketable
• How Nicola’s self-directed practice portfolio leveled up her interview success
• How Nicola got over her fears and just went for it
• The differences Nicola noticed between the interviews that went well and the ones that went poorly, and what she’d do differently

NICOLA THEN AND NOW

Nicola Osborne is a technical designer for a children’s apparel company in San Francisco. She’s passionate about apparel and has worked for leading British clothing brands such as TopShop, New Look, and Next, where she helped bring the product to market for the right cost at the right time. Her wider experience working for vendors has given her hands-on knowledge of the garment development process, manufacturing systems, and order fulfillment. But she’s been in the industry for a LONG time, and has deep roots in it.

Nicola got started in the fashion industry as a fashion model while she was still in school. After she retired from being a model when she was 20, she knew she still wanted to work in the industry in a way that was more intellectually stimulating. She went to a two-year fashion design course in her hometown, fell in love with garment construction and pattern-making, and became fascinated with the technical / skilled side of clothing.

She went to a four-year course in fashion and textiles management, and learned all about fabrics, manufacturing, and the business side of the industry. She had never even heard of the garment technology / technical design job position when she first got started in school! But once she dipped her toes in the water, she knew she wanted more.

CHILDRENSWEAR?

Nicola got one of her first jobs as a junior garment technologist at New Look, a fast-fashion clothing brand. She got great insight into the whole process of getting the clothes made and into the customers’ hands, which is something a lot of people don’t get to do when working with factories in China. After New Look, she got a job at Next in the childrenswear department. While she wasn’t originally interested in getting into childrenswear, she ended up liking it and honing her niche--it became a specialty for her. There’s so much to keep in mind when designing childrenswear, and so many different body shapes to keep in mind when grading and sizing for infants up to 12 year-olds. Then there’s safety considerations--and once you’re in the niche, you’re quite specialized.

TIME FOR A BREAK

Nicola decided to take a break after she had her first child and her husband’s job took them out of the country. After a while, when the kids started school full time, she thought about getting back into work. Initially she didn’t think about getting back into the fashion industry--she thought about training for something else entirely! She had never heard of anyone having a part-time fashion industry job, and worried she wouldn’t be able to fit it in. But when she thought back on her 6 years of experience in the industry, she figured why not, and started looking at job postings. And that’s when she became “really terrified.”

The challenge of how to move forward was daunting for her. Things had advanced so much, and her role as a Garment Technologist didn’t really exist in the United States (where she and her family were living at the time), but she found that the Technical Designer position was something she could jump into with a little bit of work. But that bit of work was...Adobe Illustrator. Every single job asked for it, and she’d never used it before. So she researched and researched and signed up for courses, and whittled away at her skills.

Nicola worked hard to learn the technical side of the industry, and then made proof that she knew how to do it. Twelve years is a long time to be out of the industry, and she wanted to show people that she knew what she was doing. She took on self-directed sample projects to show interviewers that she knew how to do the work, which requires so much determination! After a lot of hard work, she started to put herself out there. She took on a couple of internships that ignited that passionate spark for the fashion industry, and really kept her going through the hours of going through Illustrator tutorials.

Through it all, Nicola kept going because she didn’t want to NOT do it just because she was scared. She told herself that if she didn’t carry on, it would be stupid. If it didn’t work out, it would be better to say that she tried rather than not. She immersed herself in learning about the industry again--learning the language of the industry and reading what was going on, so she could talk about it in interviews.

AND THEN THERE WERE JOBS

Working on her resume was another way Nicola leveled up her professional presentation. She picked up tips and tricks online and got an interview every single time she submitted a resume. Interviewers constantly said that they were impressed with the way she clearly outlined what she did while she wasn’t working. Her “Career Development” section of her resume was a real game-changer, and her “Courses” section, too. She was able to show that she had been working hard the last few years!

Yes, she bombed an interview. But the buzz she felt afterward was a good one...she was back into it! The interviews after that were better, and she pushed her boundaries and learned a lot. Now Nicola has a job that she loves (totally cried when she got it--and we don’t blame her!), and they chose her because of all of the self-directed career development that she did. She proved that she’s willing to work, and wants to better herself constantly.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Nicola Osborne on

Emily Burton lives in Georgia, is barely 5” tall and has a thick southern accent. She’s pretty far from what you would coin as a stereotypical “fashionista”. But she’s a spitfire of a woman and through pure perseverance and hard work, built an event planning company that now works with brands at New York Fashion Week.

Her journey is long an inspiring, from the days she lived paycheck to paycheck and knocked on boutique doors to offer pro bono styling, she tells it all in this interview. Emily has faced a lot of no’s and has had many opportunities to give up, but her sheer passion and drive led her to success.

Whether you want a behind the scenes glimpse at what it’s like to be behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• The overview of Emily’s rich history in all things design, and how she landed as an event planner and stylist for New York Fashion Week
• How having the guts to work *pro-bono* showcased her talents and proved her skill
• Why she always has contracts--even (especially) when it’s pro-bono work
• How starting small got her on the right track
• Why her mentality and never taking “no” for an answer is something we should ALL be doing
• The BTS of planning, styling, designing, and coordinating New York Fashion Week
• How New York Fashion Week and the goal of the designers have changed over the years
• Emily’s role in relation to the designer in the design process
• How Emily turned “Nos” into “Not right now,” and persevered until she was successful
• Emily’s opinion on taking time for yourself mentally and emotionally and how to take care of yourself first

START SMALL

Emily Burton does event planning and styling for New York Fashion Week. BIG WOWs. But Emily started off so small--she lived paycheck to paycheck back when she first got started, and she had to literally go knocking door-to-door to find people she could do free work for just to get exposure, portfolio work, and resume experience. Emily came from an interior design background, and after a while, she got bored with it and wanted a change. In this episode of the podcast, she talks about that change--how she did it, and how it didn’t come easily. There were a lot of tears, no’s, and moments when she wanted to give up.

Emily lives in a small town in Georgia--not a fashion hub! And she makes her career work. Yes, she travels--but she does most of it from home! I mention this because I say this all the time--you can work in the fashion industry anywhere. Persevere, have confidence, and keep working hard, and you really can make it work. Emily’s story is inspiring in so many ways, but especially for this reason--she doesn’t take “no” for an answer, and she’s making it happen for herself. Emily is a passionate woman, and she does a great job of pulling back the curtain and sharing the unfiltered truth.

After majoring in interior design in school, Emily worked as an interior designer in Atlanta doing commercial and residential. After the economy crashed, losing her job, and moving for a new job that she hated, she knew she had to get back to design. When she saw The Wedding Planner (that J-Lo movie), she fell in love with the idea of event planning, and knew that was where she wanted to go. She wanted to be the “interior designer for your event,” because, as Emily says, “Fashion and the event industry is really a happy marriage.”

So she did what any hard-working, passionate woman would do: she worked for free. She knocked on doors, offered her styling and planning services, and kicked ass doing it so that she could  build up her portfolio and gain exposure. She would pay photographers and models with her own money when she had to, because she wanted them to know that she valued them, knowing that karma would have her back in the future. “If you create a positive working relationship with your vendors, they’ll want to work with you, and they won’t feel used.” She built experiences, built relationships, and then started getting local contracts to shoot mini magazines, which turned into more referrals, and then the dominoes toppled.

HOW TO START CHARGING WHAT YOU’RE WORTH

Emily talks about the intricacies of transitioning from working for free to asking to be paid for said work. Yes, she says, it was a struggle. You have to be strategic. What she did was make her craft more tangible--she always let her customers know the exact value of what she was giving them--on paper so they could see. “To get your foot in the door, you can’t disclude doing pro bono work.” But don’t do too much, she says--set a cap for each year, and don’t go over it. Do it on your terms.

Emily is full of great advice that she’s lived and succeeded by. You reap what you sow. Do a good job, treat people well, live your dreams, and do well. Fill up your pipeline and the cards will fall the way they may. And the one that kept coming up? The big one?

“Don’t take no for an answer. Instead, take it as not right now.”

Maybe it’s not the right time for something, for whatever reason. But believe in yourself, and try again in the future if it feels right. “Never take no for an answer of where you want to be in your career.”

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

Since Emily set herself up for success in terms of putting herself out there and networking, she worked her way up to event planning for the big kahuna: New York Fashion Week. And it’s every bit of the “wild and crazy ride” that Emily says it is. There are 6-9 designers that come down the runway every day, split into two or three shows. Emily and her team are in charge of...everything. Gathering information, coming up with a concept, solidifying key vendors (venue, bartender, marketing materials, color concept and design).

Emily builds a team of front-of-house and back-of-house people, and there aren’t as many of them as you may think. But the timeline is airtight: there are spreadsheets and notebooks filled with minute-by-minute schedules of who is supposed to be where: models, hair and makeup artists, VIPs, publishing crews, production, and photography. She transfers her vision to a few notebooks and makes very specific vision boards so that the team can wrap their heads around the direction they’re going and SEE the end goal. It’s madness, but very well organized madness.

TEAMWORK

Emily has been hustling and working hard her whole life, and knows what she wants. She’s always made it a point to know the expectations, and exceed them. She expects that same dedication from her team of people that she works with--and strongly recommends that anyone working in the industry embrace the same dedication and drive. Certain companies require different things, different designers have preferences. Learn about your clients, and customize services for them. Develop trust in your relationships and make a good partnership. Doing an exceptional job by going above and beyond goes such a long way, and that alone is extremely valuable.

Emily’s strongest advice to people in the fashion industry? Never say never. Talk to people, knock on doors, and ask questions. And never feel guilty as an entrepreneur about having time to yourself!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Emily Burton Designs Website
• Emily Burton on Instagram @emilyburtondesigns
• Emily Bu...

Bebe Mehr’s fashion entrepreneur journey began in 2001 while she was in college and started selling stuff on Ebay. Little did she know, that 13 years later, after a lot of different fashion careers, it would turn into her own line of vegan luxury shoes, Cult of Coquette.

Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Bebe’s journey isn’t that surprising. But it doesn’t mean parts of it weren’t insanely hard and that she hasn’t faced her fair share of failure while she built her company.

Bebe walks us through, step by step, how she funded her line of vegan luxury shoes, how she found a factory to produce her designs, and how she built a customer base to sell them to.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• Bebe’s start and thoughtful trajectory in the fashion industry
• How starting small helped Bebe get off on the right foot
• How, even despite her success, she ran out of money, and what she did next
• Bebe’s presale through a crowdfunding campaign, and how it went
• How presale is going to be part of Bebe’s business’ future (it’s a pretty good model!)
• The logistics of her factory production, and how she found one that she really liked and was ethical (and female-owned!!)
• The misconceptions of overseas manufacturing...it gets a bad rap but Bebe has some words for us
• Bebe’s email marketing strategies (pretty minimal actually! Because she found her niche)
• The college affiliate program she’s rolling out, and how that will work
• How Bebe has educated her customer on her ethical and sustainable practices, and her women-empowering focus
• How Bebe’s customers deal with her presale timeline in the age of Amazon two-day-shipping
• The one thing people never ask Bebe about working in the fashion industry that she wishes they would
• And so much more!

INTENTIONAL VEGAN LUXURY

Bebe Mehr runs a line of vegan luxury shoes called Cult of Coquette. Her journey got started way back in 2011 when she was in college selling stuff on eBay, which turned into her running a boutique, which then turned into her realizing that there was a huge gap in the market for vegan luxury shoes. She knew there were a lot of high heels and shoes out there that just happened to be “vegan,” but it was just because they were cheap to make. There was nobody out there doing it intentionally, creating an exceptional line of luxury shoes and cruelty-free products. So she decided to give it a go and do it herself.

It all started in 2014, and over the last 4-5 years, she’s had some major ups and downs. She’s learned what works and what doesn’t. She ran out of money. She had to go back to work and learn the ins and outs of the industry, do some fashion styling, and save up money to launch again. In 2018 she re-launched her brand, and she shares her story with us here on the podcast. She’s really engaged with her customer to find out what they really want before sending anything into production, started small, and found the right manufacturers to partner with. If you have any interest at all in launching your own brand, Bebe’s insight is going to be super valuable to you--use her wisdom and learn from her mistakes to make your dream a reality!

ALWAYS THE ENTREPRENEUR

Bebe started Cult of Coquette, a line of women’s cruelty-free footwear, in 2014. Her start in the industry was an online business when she was in college, selling things she’d find in China Town in New York. Then she ran a boutique for many years, but after a few years of that, she decided it was time for a brand new business. She had gone to school at FIT in New York for a year and studied Merchandising. She had thought about being a full-blown fashion designer when she was younger, but when she saw the stresses involved, she thought perhaps she’d prefer the business-side of things!

While she was running her online eBay store in college at FIT in 2001, her dad called her up one day. He was going to buy a retail space, and wondered if she wanted to open a boutique there. Her online business was really successful, and she was in school to one day open a boutique, so she figured...why not just start now? It was a hectic time in New York (right after 9/11), and she figured if she had the opportunity to open a boutique before finishing school where she was learning to do so… she had to jump on it. She had the boutique for about 8 years, and then...stopped eating meat.

MORAL COMPASS REORIENTATION

So she’s vegan, now what? Well, that meant there was a conflict of interest against her moral compass to sell fur and leather products in her boutique, so she stopped. And that got her thinking: there are so many opportunities in LA, and so many people making their dreams a reality. When she saw a pair of Louboutins she liked, but didn’t want to purchase because they were real leather, she saw an opportunity. “Why don’t I just start my own line of shoes?” and “What do I have to lose?” turned into 500 pairs of cruelty-free luxury shoes.

It turned out vegans all over the world were desperate for something special like this. Bebe thought of everything: the packaging was beautiful, the experience was beautiful, and not to mention the shoes. Bebe noticed the things she liked about luxury brand shoes, and kept those details in her own vegan line. She got a great reaction, and great exposure from vegan celebrities with magazines ended up contacting her without her even trying (literally...she just used a couple hashtags on Instagram). But then the money ran out.

There are so many costs to running a business--we’ve all been told that before. Storage alone was a huge one for Bebe! Then there was the time to go get the shoes and ship them out, and all of the other costs as well. “You have to have the money for a year in advance, and plan for the problems.” Bebe had a ton of momentum in the beginning, but didn’t have the the capital to keep it going when it slowed down, which can be harmful to the business. So she took a year off.

When she was ready for more, she decided to go about things a little bit differently. She did a ton of research and decided to do a presale of her second collection through a crowdfunding campaign. This was a costly endeavor in itself--targeting ads and emails and making a landing page, hiring a videographer, getting a new logo--everything. But she had been scraping and saving for a year, and knew this was what she needed to do. Then no one could figure out how to place an order...the user experience on IndieGoGo was so unclear in the context of the donation that no one knew how to place an order for shoes! She had a stressful 24 hours rebuilding her website, but was able to cover costs of production. “In business you have to expect the unexpected...have a plan B, C, D, E, F to Z.”

AND BOY, DOES SHE

Bebe has grand plans for the future and she’s sticking to her guns (her ethical, vegan guns, that is). She’s working on tailoring her email marketing to focus a little more on vegan stories and education. Spotlighting fashion trends and relating it back to her own product and things that her audience cares about. She’s even rolling out a college affiliate program: she’ll give a promo code to different influencers and bloggers to spread awareness about the option of vegan fashion, while giving these college entrepreneurs a little extra cash flow, and their audience a little more brand awareness. Bebe’s commitment to ethical, women-owned, vegan fashion really is inspiring, a...

When it comes to trade shows, there are SO many questions. How much is this going to cost? How does this all work? How do I make sure it’ll be a success? Am I ready? In my interview with Danielle Licata and Kelly Helfman, we talk about these exact questions and more.

Danielle and Kelly are brand directors for the Magic Trade Show in Vegas, the Coterie Trade Show in New York, and so many other specialty shows for specific categories. Magic and Coterie are some of the largest fashion trade show events in North America, and these ladies know their STUFF! They’re so knowledgeable and so generous with sharing it here on the podcast--you’re going to love it.

We go through what these trade shows are doing to support new and emerging designers (like you!), how to decide if you’re ready, the details of the exact numbers of how much things are going to cost, and they’ve really set you up for success. We talk about how to prepare before, during, and after your trade show experience. I’m so excited about this episode--I know you’re going to love it!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• DTC vs retail
• What brands are doing to break in, get started, and stand out at trade shows (and how to know you’re ready)
• Ways to connect with buyers to make sure you show up at the show in the right orders
• Step-by-step advice to figure out if this is the right path for you
• What kinds of brands Kelly and Danielle see coming to their trade shows, and what they’ve seen brands do to have a successful launch the first time around
• The timeline to be expected
• The foundation brands start with when jumping into a trade show
• How seriously buyers take your Instagram following (!), and how clear you need to be on your brand story
• How much of a foundation to build before getting results at a wholesale trade show
• How much money to set aside to do trade shows!
• What Danielle and Kelly think the future of trade shows will look like--they’re changing!
• What collateral you need to go in prepared as a brand
• The key to your success at a trade show: knowing who you are as a brand, and knowing where you should be positioned
• How brands kickoff the successful trade show experience
• Opportunities for startup and emerging designers
• What Kelly and Danielle wish people would ask them about working in the fashion industry
• And so much more!

DANIELLE LICATA

From being a Sales and Operations Manager at Stella McCartney and Vice President at Belstaff, Danielle Licata has earned her role as the President of East Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing Coterie, Fame, Moda, and AccessoriesTheShow. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury fashion category, Danielle is both a macro-thinker and micro-executer, allowing her lead and successfully builds her team.  Danielle has had many hats; from opening flagship stores to increasing multi-million dollar revenues to curating trade shows from the ground up. Since her start at UBM Fashion (now Informa) Danielle has pioneered the launch of Beauty at Coterie and will be unveiling the company’s first stand-alone retail pop-up in Miami this July 2018.

KELLY HELFMAN

Kelly is the President of West Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing WWDMAGIC, Project Womens, and Pooltradeshow. Kelly leads the MAGIC Women’s events while balancing motherhood and advocating for work/life balance. With 15+ years of experience in fashion sales, marketing, and design, her career highlights include starting her own celeb-favorite, vintage-inspired clothing brand, launching Children's Club Las Vegas, and FWD New York (now merged with FAME).

LET’S TALK TRADE SHOWS

Kelly and Danielle are here to help you maximize your trade show experience and decide when and if it’s right for you. Through Magic and Coterie trade show, they provide a platform for brands to sell directly to buyers, holding your hand (if you need it!) to do what’s best for your business. They have about seven shows a year, so if you’re interested, there’s always time to get prepared for the next one--you don’t have to wait long!

Danielle and Kelly and their team help you decide if you’re 100% ready for a trade show, and in this episode, they talk about how to know if you’re there or not. You could be brand new to trade shows, but if you have a on-trend product at just the right moment in time, they’ll help you make it happen. If the market is saturated with your product, and they don’t feel like you’re ready, they’ll be honest with you!

WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

Depending on which trade show you’re interested in, you could be looking at some different price points. Coterie is focused on Contemporary and Premium brands, and Magic is more for the mass market price points. Magic has a $5500-6500 all-inclusive price--that’s tables, chairs, etc. But it only fits 100 samples, so you have to plot out how many booths you might need. They offer booth sharing for a small extra brand fee that’s much more affordable than reserving a whole extra booth. Coterie has an $8300 price point, but there’s a high ratio of buyers to brands. Then you have to think about travel, branding, and shipping...multiplied by three times (the minimum number of trade shows Danielle and Kelly recommend committing to in order to see a favorable outcome).

Then when you’re setting up your booth, make it special! Are there mimosas? Is there a bouquet bar? Perhaps a wall of flowers? Music? Does it smell good? In this industry, you need to create your brand and create an instagrammable moment that people won’t forget. Don’t sit on your cell phone--engage with people! Get to know your neighbors! You can’t just put a rack up and hope something happens. A buyer is still a buyer, whether they’re wholesale or retail--Kelly and Danielle urge brand to create an experience no matter where they are.

USE YOUR RESOURCES

So you’re at the trade show. You’ve prepared for months, done the research, branded your booth, and created something special. There’s still (free!) opportunities to maximize your trade show experience! You can always ask questions of your representative or trade show consultant. Ask what complimentary opportunities you have at the show where you can market. Perhaps there’s swag bag participation, or a new brand highlight on social. There might be mannequins featured and they could be yours! Don’t just sign up for the booth and show up--always ask for more.

Kelly and Danielle truly are experts and they want to help. Such a dream come true! Trade shows can feel like a huge ordeal and time commitment--because they are. But they really set you up for success with their support and resources. They encourage you to reach out on social--take them up on that! They’re a valuable resource and a wealth of information.

This episode is a great listen whether you’re preparing for your first or umpteenth trade show, and whether you’re going to Coterie, Magic, or another trade show. They’ll set you up for success by telling you how to prepare before, during, and after your trade show experience, and get your brand into the buyer’s hands that want it!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Coterie

Kayla’s fashion career journey has been an uphill battle. First, her parents didn’t support a “artsy” degree. Not that uncommon. But then? During her senior year of highschool, her dad became incarcerated. There was no money to pay for her college education.

She explored alternate, more “practical”, career paths like accounting and biology, but they bored her. So she took a chance on a creative career and enrolled in a liberal arts state school because FIT was too expensive.

Her journey is long and trying. It involves many failures and countless rejection. Pretty much NOTHING has gone her way. But now? 3 years after college graduation? She works in Manhattan as a fashion CAD designer.

How’d she finally get her big break?

Learning the skills brands needed that she didn’t have (like Illustrator).

Doing an exceptional job and being a good worker.

And showing confidence...even when she didn’t feel confident.

Kayla’s story is inspiring and motivating. She proves that ANYONE can make it in this brutal industry...no matter your financial situation, your family situation, or how many times you hear no.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• The day-to-day responsibilities Kayla has as a CAD designer
• What Kayla’s #1 software choice is
• How Kayla finally decided to go to school for fashion...and how she decided which school to attend
• How she earned the opportunity to continue with her internship and secured a job after graduation
• How her parents felt about her first job offer right out of school
• What she did after she was laid off...the first time
• How she took initiative to learn what she needed to outside of school
• How Kayla kept at it day after day to roll with the punches and keep going after her DREAM

SHE ALWAYS KNEW

Kayla grew up doing a lot of art. Even when she was young she would draw and sketch clothes on models! Without really knowing what a fashion designer was when she was little, she would swipe clothes out of the donation and trash in her house and cut them up to sew things for her sister. Sure, it was just a hobby at the time (her parents always reminded her)--but she never got sick of it.

Kayla’s parents were more focused on her education. Art (in any form--especially fashion) was never something they saw as a “serious career.” A creative career was a poor person’s job in their opinion...a “starving artist.” But Kayla was the definition of a creative person--she was a dancer, a painter, an artist. She even taught herself art techniques in the library in her free time.

In high school, she decided she had to tell her parents she really wanted to go to art school. She put a portfolio together, applied to a summer intensive, and was accepted (obviously). She knew this was her path and her passion, but how could she convince her parents that there would be a solid career path?

IT WAS TIME

After her father was incarcerated, the decision was almost made for her. It was a sad moment, but she realized something: her parents were no longer going to shoulder the burden of her college tuition, which meant they didn’t have a say in what she studied...so she went for it, all on her own.

She applied to a dozen schools and was accepted by ten (ok wow), and she ultimately decided on Framingham State University--it was an awesome four years. As a student she was just as involved and stellar and passionate as she had always been. The summer of her junior year, she was approached about an internship, and got it. It became her first job after graduation as an assistant technical designer...which wasn’t her first choice of a job. Kayla wanted to be mindful not to get pigeonholed within a field and never get out. But with her family’s expectations of her, she took a risk and did it. Her parents (needless to say) were proud.

BUT THEN...

Six months after graduation, working in her first fashion job, she was laid off. Getting laid off is never fun, but Kayla really felt the pressure from her family. She wanted to prove that she could do it--after all, this was her passion! She decided to view it as a blessing in disguise, and set her sights on New York. She found an internship there and moved in the dead of winter. She worked there for a week, and then it didn’t work out.

WHAT NOW?

Kayla had just moved to New York, and now didn’t have a job. This would defeat most people…but not Kayla. She put together a few part-time jobs, and worked on her portfolio. Sure, she was rejected left and right at different fashion design jobs she applied for. But she kept at it.

HELLO, OLD FRIEND

Kayla went back to the library. She worked hard on her portfolio and met with a career counselor. She connected with a temp agency and learned about what hiring managers were looking for, and made it happen. She focused on acquiring the skills she didn’t have, and honing the skills she did.

After hustling with juggling jobs and portfolio projects and applying for jobs, she nailed a job as a design assistant. All because she noticed where she was lacking, what skills she needed, and then made it happen. Kayla’s initiative and perseverance and grit are exactly what one needs to make a name in the fashion industry, and in this episode of the podcast, she inspires us all to make our dreams come true. We’re so grateful that she shared her story with us and we can’t wait to check in with her down the road!

Resources & People Mentioned

• Kayla Person Designs on Facebook
• kaylapersondesigns.com
• Instagram @kperson92
• Framingham State University

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Jessica Osborn is the CEO and founder of Privy Label, a company that teaches fashion entrepreneurs how to launch their custom Men's or Women's apparel lines through design, development, and small batch manufacturing in the US. They work with designers who have an idea but aren’t really sure where to go from there, or who get stuck somewhere in the process. She talks traditional vs. on-demand manufacturing, production process and timelines, the #1 mistake she sees brands make, and more. 

For the complete show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, head to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Kimberly Dippel was on the Successful Fashion Design podcast in August 2017, and we talked about her success finding freelance projects on Upwork. Since then, she’s come such a long way! In this episode of the podcast, we’re doing our first (!) follow-up with a past guest. Kimberly has slayed the freelance game this last year and a half, and you’re going to love this recap of how she’s made it happen for herself.

Kimberly Dippel is a fashion designer with 13 years of experience working for surf brands like Oneil and Quiksilver. After having a baby and moving away from a hub, she wanted to try freelancing. After not having any luck with her existing contacts, she turned to UpWork where she successfully landed a few ongoing clients that kept her consistently busy.

But she’s way past her Upwork days! In the interview, Kim shares how she transitioned from piecing together small Upwork clients to the four clients she works with now full-time.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• How Kimberly moved from her Upwork hustle to her four steady clients
• How she goes about pricing, structuring projects, and getting the wages she (and you!) deserves
• What she learned after experimenting with charging less in order to build out her freelance fashion design portfolio
• How she keeps track of her time (it’s a free app linked below! No more annoying spreadsheets)
• Her advice on managing and controlling projects these days (communication is key!)
• What she’s learned about charging a flat rate (hint: briefs, briefs, briefs!)
• Where her clients are coming from now (and where you can look to get ideas for yourself!)

WHERE SHE WAS

In Episode 16, Kimberly was combing Upwork to get freelance fashion design jobs, and figuring out how to charge what she was worth. She had to comb through a lot of junk and low-paying gigs, but was able to find a few clients that she worked with consistently, and slowly built up her freelance fashion design portfolio.

Now, she still has one of her same Upwork clients, plus four more steady clients that keep her busy full-time! Kimberly has made such amazing progress in her fashion career since we last spoke that we had to catch up with her--and boy, did she learn some lessons along the way.

Kimberly tells us about one project that she took on to focus on building out her freelance portfolio, where she learned some important lessons about valuing herself and her work. It was her first really big job (30 full tech packs and design!), and she was getting ripped off. But she doesn’t regret the lessons she learned from that: freelance is a different animal--one that comes with growing pains and zero step-by-step instructions. She (and everyone!) is always learning how to grapple with the learning curve gracefully.

THESE DAYS

Kimberly has some awesome advice for people getting into the freelance game. In the interview, she tells us how she charges clients, how she manages and controls projects, and how she keeps clients in the loop every step of the way in order to avoid surprises (for everyone). She even tells us where her clients are coming from now--which might be a surprise! Her website and LinkedIn are linked below--go see how she’s presenting herself on the platforms, and see how it compares to what you might be doing…

Kimberly is full of good advice for freelancers because she did it herself from scratch. She went from putting together Upwork jobs to actually not having much time to take on new clients--in a year and a half! Tune in to hear all of her advice and get inspired. And go check out episode 16 to hear the beginning of her adventure into freelance!

• Successful Fashion Designer Podcast episode 16 with Kimberly Dippel
• Kim’s Portfolio Website
• Kimberly Dippel on LinkedIn
• Flexible Timers app

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There are a lot of different paths to becoming a freelance fashion designer. And Heather Royer took one I’d never heard of before. Instead of working directly with brands, she got her first freelance opportunity designing for a factory in China.

The best part? There are ways you can create the same freelance opportunities for yourself, and she shares step by step her best advice to do this.

In her 20+ years in the industry, Heather has worked for brands like Target, LL Bean, REI and Talbots. She now runs a team of 9 full time fashion designers located around the world while working remote from her home in south Florida.

And it all started with one freelance gig from LinkedIn.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

• The simple change you can make to your LinkedIn profile to attract brands or factories looking for freelancers
• How to turn one freelance project into many to get more work and make more money
• What brands are looking for when interviewing and hiring freelance fashion designers
• How to give your opinion and feedback about design without sounding pushy or negative
• Why staying in touch with past coworkers and industry friends can make or break your success (even if you’re uncomfortable “networking”)
• What Heather’s transition from working as an employee to working freelance looked like and how you can do the same
• What Heather learned at her first (big!) freelance project for a Chinese company
• How she made the decision to start hiring designers to help her
• The skills Heather looks for in her own freelance candidates-for-hire
• How Heather runs her freelance business and the freelancers that work for her

FROM 4H TO FASHION

Heather Royer has created a job for herself that is unlike anything we’ve heard of before here at Successful Fashion Designer. But like most fashion designers, fashion was just a hobby in her early life. But she did get an early start! Heather was in 4H when she was little (the kids club that does hands-on projects surrounding health, science, and agriculture), and loved the sewing aspect of the group. She started making clothing when she was 7 years old! We’d say “the rest is history,” but we’d be leaving a lot out (like when she worked for the park service in Alaska building hiking trails--how cool is that??).

Knowing she always had a passion for working in the fashion industry, she took fashion classes on the side, and then made the commitment to going to Rhode Island School of Design. She started designing kids’ outdoor clothes (talk about blending her loves), and then got a great first job as “just” an assistant--but she loved it! It was “the bottom of the barrel,” but she got great exposure to the industry that way.

THEN CAME THE FREELANCING

Heather’s freelancing career came about as more of a necessity--she wanted to move to Florida, but knew there weren’t going to be a lot of jobs in the fashion industry. So she took her fate into her own hands: she started working on her portfolio, working on her own projects, and branching out. She started her own jewelry line, and got a taste of business for herself. When one of her contacts on LinkedIn reached out to her about an opportunity, she was ready.

This is where her career path delved into the unknown. Much like her work for the park service, Heather made her own… fashion-hiking-trail, if you will. What started as a simple proposal for a factory in China for men’s cold weather goods turned into a huge project and eventually a team of 9 full-time designers working for her.

How? Partly the usual way: she gave it her all. She worked long long (long) hours, did tight turns, bent over backwards. But she also vocalized her ideas, drew on her previous experience, and eventually started outsourcing her workload to other freelancers, as well. Freelancing begets more freelancing! As much as she cringed at “networking,” she made it work with her friends and contacts.

SUCCESSFUL (FREELANCE) FASHION DESIGNER

Now that she’s the Vice President of Design and Operations for Weihai Luda Company, Heather is still looking forward. She has plans to build a private label, her own brands, and chooses to think of her company as an investment portfolio that she diversifies and keeps flexible. Heather’s rich experience building her own business has led to enormous insight into the life of a successful freelance fashion designer, and her advice is applicable to almost any fashion designer. She’s learned how to delegate, how to build a team, how to outline tangible results, and how to make sure things are getting done, all while acknowledging that the fashion industry is “not always glamorous. If you can see the humor in that, it’ll go a lot farther.”

We loved hearing Heather’s inspirational story--you really can create the job you want!

• Heather Royer on LinkedIn

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Chelsea Ma won Project Runway Juniors when she was just 15 years old...and with no previous fashion experience. Like a lot of designers, she had an interest in fashion, but had no idea where to start.

After convincing her parents to let her trade figure-skating lessons for sewing lessons, she began one step at a time by learning how to use a machine and creating her first designs.

In this interview, she shares exactly how she went from a few sewing lessons to winning Project Runway Juniors. Chelsea is proof that hard work and determination pay off, even if you have no background or experience with design.

• What it was like applying to Project Runway Junior (wow what a marathon)
• What kinds of questions PRJ asked in the interview
• How she felt as a 14-year-old flying out to New York for Project Runway Juniors
• The inside scoop on her first challenge (what a rollercoaster!)
• What the competitive environment was like on Project Runway Junior
• Chelsea’s favorite challenges
• The risks Chelsea took on the show
• What it was like being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai
• How she felt in the last moments before revealing her collection
• How she confidently faced the finale of Project Runway Junior
• The fact that the dramatically slow passage of time before announcing a winner is actually a real thing ;)
• What it was like winning Project Runway Junior!!!
• Where her ambition took her after Project Runway Junior and why you should “burn your boats”
• What her plans are for when she graduates!
• And so much more!

CHELSEA MA THE CHAMP

Chelsea Ma had almost no previous fashion experience when she won Project Runway Junior Season 2--I mean, she was only 14 when she applied! She and her sewing teacher; Miss Trang, had to hustle to put together her application in just two weeks. They had to make a video, a portfolio, and FIVE outfits...two weeks, people! Then auditions, interviews, and off to New York. Sounds surreal, right? And then she won.

But it wasn’t as short of a story as all that...there were tears, sweat, and even a little blood on the road to her success (sewing leather by hand is fierce business)--but this teen is wise beyond her years and tells us all about the hustle and how she kept going through each of the challenges, even when she was sure they would send her home.

Chelsea tells us all about the rollercoaster of the challenges and being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai. She talks about the time limits, the preparation, the materials, the drama (or thankfully, lack thereof) between the competitors, and goes into detail about what was going through her head during these high-stress challenges. Like in episode 1, when she thought she made a major mistake with her materials, but of course absolutely slayed it.

SO SHE WON, WHAT NOW?

If it’s not obvious that Chelsea is a hustler that never stops, let me make it clear: this woman does! Not! Stop! Right now she’s in school full time and working on two collections. Check out her line Visual Novel, her collection-based fashion line that launched in September 2018, and keep an eye out for her accessories line (that she’s doing for fun), Dessac. This Project Runway Junior winner has so much drive and ambition that we know her career is going to be an illustrious one. Can’t wait to see what’s to come!

• Chelsea Ma on Instagram @chelsea_ma
• Chelsea Ma’s fashion line on Instagram @chelseamaofficial
• Miss Trang’s line Doeskin
• Miss Trang’s line on Instagram @doeskin_la
• Chelsea’s clothing line Visual Novel | Instagram @visualnovelofficial

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Designing and starting a fashion line is exhilarating and inspiring and something most of us want to jump right into. Starting a fashion line that sells is something completely different--but it’s something you can do.

Robyn and I are BACK with a podlet that sums up six easy steps to starting a fashion line that sells. The Successful Fashion Designer podcast has been going for 75(!) episodes, and after interviewing as many talented, business-savvy fashion designers as I have, Robyn and I noticed that many of them had similar advice when it came to designing a fashion line that sells.

We went back through and extracted the golden advice nuggets from their episodes and distilled it down for you here--it’s great advice for everyone that wants to start a fashion line the right way.

• Finding and owning your niche to create a fashion line that sells
• How NOT to design for everybody (seriously!)
• Solving your own problems by facing and overcoming the fashion challenges that you have
• Doing RESEARCH on other fashion lines
• Actually going to where your customer is hanging out to do MORE research
• Testing, testing, and testing some more--getting feedback on your samples
• Engaging and asking your customer for feedback during the design + development process
• Asking open-ended questions to get more information from your customers
• And so much more!

• Episode 17 with Anna Livermore of Vmora
• Episode 31 with Sarah Coronado
• Episode 39 with Exclusively Kristen
• Episode 70 with Aaron Luo of Caraa
• Episode 44 with Timm Smith of Voormi
• Episode 12 with Colleen Monroe, founder of Untucked Workwear

• Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine.

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Being a lingerie designer is its own unique and interesting niche of working in the fashion industry. There are tons of different things you have to think about compared to designing - let’s say - shirts or jackets.

But it’s a pretty cool job! Laurie Van Jonsson knows this firsthand. From launching her own lingerie brand that was sold in TopShop to working for other companies, she knows the ins and outs of being a lingerie designer.

Her 15 years of experience make her an expert in this category, and in this interview, she shares it all. From how she broke into the lingerie industry, how she sold her designs to global retailers, and how she ultimately became a freelance lingerie designer.

• Designing within constraints and restrictions in the lingerie design industry (that’s how she found her niche!)
• The mistakes (many people make) of trying to cater to too many markets
• Working with large manufacturers as a lingerie designer
• Having the passion and belief in your product to sew it all yourself (by hand!)
• How to be the lingerie designer that stands out with major retail buyers (being “pest-like” was described as a positive trait here!)
• How Laurie started blogging, grew her business, wrote and published a book, and managed the supply and demand for niche lingerie sizes
• How Laurie’s freelance work built off of the momentum of her other projects
• The mistakes people make when starting their own fashion brand
• Advice on the best way to start strong, save time, and save money
• Working with people as a freelancer in the lingerie fashion industry
• Setting clear expectations and scope with freelance clients
• How Laurie built a foundation of inbound referrals that led to projects
• The challenges of working with people across the globe
• And so much more!

Freelance Designer with Lingerie Leanings

Laurie van Johnson, a lingerie designer who started out in the industry back in 2003, first worked as a lingerie designer for brands, but quickly built her own brand of full cup, small back bras that she's sold throughout the world, including TopShop. Laurie now works as a freelance fashion designer working with other startup brands to help them launch labels and get patterns, grading, and tech packs all in order so that their bras and lingerie fit perfectly. After fifteen years in the fashion industry, she has great stories and loads of advice for freelancers and budding branders alike.

Laurie has a rich history in the fashion industry. She studied Fashion and Textiles in school, and focused her obsession with detail into lingerie and swimwear as soon as she could. She focused her expertise on a small niche of the lingerie market, and quickly became an expert in the industry. She wrote “How to Become a Lingerie Designer” in 2012, and currently specializes in working with startup designers.

Laurie draws up designs, writes spec sheets, produces tech packs, and provides consultation for the startup lingerie designers of the world. She launched Van Jonsson Design again in September 2018, and she writes technical books, design sheets, and design patterns full time. Laurie spoke about finding her niche, what to charge freelance clients, and how she stood out with major retail buyers. Her passion for her craft is contagious and we know you’ll love hearing about her experience in the lingerie design realm!

• Laurie van Jonsson Website
• Laurie van Jonsson Instagram
• Vanjo
• Laurie van Jonsson Facebook
• Laurie van Jonsson Blog

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Many of you have loads of Q’s about working in fashion…and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don’t know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don’t even know where to go. Which is why I’m excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on 3D modeling, prototyping, kick-starting your career, and productivity.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

I was curious if there would be any transition or talk about 3D modeling and how it’s becoming more and more an industry standard for both product developers and technical developers. More importantly design. In my industry 3D modeling is replacing 1st prototype (I work for [brand name redacted] in Apparel Dev). We are also curating libraries for trims in 3D software so it’s a full breath of garment and drape with all embellishment and decoration. Are you seeing this in your career as well? Crazy how shifts happen so quickly.

I love listening to your podcast and feel like I have learned a lot! I know this is a long-shot, but I am desperate for some advice. I am creating a special denim line for woman and had a sample made by a US manufacturer. The sample took an unbelievably long amount of time and came back not at all reflecting my tech pack (they basically just re-created my rough proto). I decided to hire a company that works with startups to refine our tech pack and pattern file based on the fit testing. If I use this smaller company, I have to either choose pre-washed denim or outsource the wash process. With the larger (but less dependable company), it would all be done in the same facility for less per price cost (but higher minimum). Due to high shrinkage, I have to make a decision on the fabric in order to move forward with changes to the pattern. I have never gone through the manufacturing process before and really want to move forward. Do you have any advice you could share?

Do you think it's too late for me at this age (28) already? From your experience, what's the difference between the designers that start early and the ones who come later like me? And this is a bit personal, if I may know, where were you at 28 y.o? What kind of life situation, job, finance, and what stage of your career at that time. As much as I wanna feel motivated that I believe I'm doing the right thing/ on the right track, it still sometimes hits my self-esteem and questioning my potentials and future.

You mentioned that you didn't have any fashion background before landing your first fashion assistant job, and now you're very knowledgeable and skillful in apparel manufacturing. How long did it take for you to grasp at least sufficient knowledge to be confident in yourself that you know you've got what it takes?

How do you manage to do everything? I see you have a lot of things to take care of. I want to know what your typical day is, what your routine is like from the moment you wake up and sleep.

• Episode 19 with Kathryn Hilderbrand of Good Clothing Company

If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show.

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Guess what? If you want to have a fashion brand, you’re going to have to deal with accounting. And while it’s not the sexiest topic around, it’s a fact of doing business.

But the good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. And in this interview with accountant Peter Lang, who specializes in working with creatives and fashion designers, he shares how to simplify the process and be strategic with your money.

• Setting up your fashion design business strategically to save money on taxes
• Financial planning for fashion designers and businesses
• How to budget appropriately and save for taxes and retirement
• What you can write off on taxes (bet some of these are going to be new to you!)
• What you can NOT write off on taxes that you may have thought you could!
• Advice on how much is safe to put aside for taxes
• How to prepare to get a loan and how to use it successfully
• Self-employment tax and the differences between being an employee and a business owner
• How to financially prepare for crowd-sourcing and the tax implications of “free money”
• Penalties and repercussions of tax mistakes
• How best to prepare for audits

Peter Lang, an accountant for creative professionals like you in the fashion industry, loves talking about finances, budgeting, and taxes. He promises there are no stupid questions in the tax accounting world, and wishes everyone were comfortable to ask more detailed questions about their finances--there’s so much to know!

Peter has been a CPA for fifteen years, and his niche is the design industry. He provides tax accounting, CFO, and overall financial advice to business owners in the design industry. When Peter started working as a CPA, he accepted clients as they came, but noticed some of his clients were...more exciting than others. He started working with interior designers, then fashion designers, and the rest is history: he had found his specialization and calling in the CPA world.

Peter’s accounting advice goes into great detail on the podcast--he covers important issues to consider when getting funding, whether it’s from a small business loan, investors, and / or crowdfunding, and the tax implications and best-practice of using that money. He gives advice on entities to consider for your business, whether it’s sole proprietor or corporation, and how to save money on self-employment. He also dives into sales tax and what to do about passing that on to your end customer (spoiler alert: he says it’s one of the most complex topics!) but manages to advise in clear, concise ways that make us want to nerd-out on accounting and finances more often.

It can only help, right? Peter says fashion designers can benefit from the service of any CPA that they’re compatible with, but as a Designer CPA, he considers himself a little more on the wavelength of the design industry. He found he could provide more value to his design clients all year-round, and could serve as a trusted advisor and help them grow their business. It’s always refreshing to work with people who are passionate about the same things as you are--especially if they have your best financial interests at heart.

• thedesignercpa.com
• The Designer CPA on Instagram
• The Designer CPA on Facebook
• Traction by Gino Wickman--Peter’s recommendation for processes for business plan, budgeting, and more
• Avalara -- Peter’s recommendation for a cloud-based, automated tax software

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It’s easy to see someone who’s living their fashion design dream and think, “they got lucky, but that could never happen to me.” But the truth couldn’t be further from that.

The reality? You have NO idea what their back story is. You have NO idea how hard they worked to get there. And you have NO idea how many times they failed on the way to achieving their fashion design dream.

Kirby Nunez is an unbelievably hard working man. His story is humbling, inspiring, and is one of the best examples of how perseverance and drive will pay off.

After being applying for a design job and being rejected a MASSIVE 7 times, he finally got a foot in the door as an intern at Puma. Two years later, he still works there full-time. And he loves every minute of it. He is genuinely living out his fashion design dream.

• How to turn land your dream fashion design internship, even if you’ve been rejected before
• The best way to turn an internship into a full time fashion design job
• The simple things you can do at work to get ahead of the competition
• How to advance your fashion design career
• What you can do to make sure your resume and portfolio stand out

The truth about success? Is that it’s usually preceded by A LOT of failure, and that most people start at the bottom (just like Kirby). After applying to his dream fashion job at Puma 7 times, he finally got the opportunity to prove himself. But as a part-time intern, he had a long way to go to become a full time employee. So how’d he do it? By kicking major butt and going the extra mile in everything he did. In this interview, he shares the exact strategies he used to make sure he was the one to get offered a full time job at the end of the internship.

• Kirby on LinkedIn

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When it came to success in fashion, Guillermo Irias had nothing going for him. Raised in the Honduras by a single mom who didn’t think a fashion career was a good idea, he didn’t have the financial or emotional support he needed.

But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design.

Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time.

• Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will
• Working your way through college after leaving home
• Funding your dream with side jobs
• Showcasing at New York fashion week
• Entering contests that can change your career
• Moving to New York and attending F.I.T
• Internships that lead to working with high profile clients
• Trying to find the right job after college

From making garments for friends to styling for NY residents, and entering contests to doing free internships at any brand that would take him, he saw every experience as an opportunity to learn something. He even had the opportunity to design for Madonna's Rebel heart tour in 2015.

GIA New York is a successful NY brand that has grabbed people's attention all across the U.S. With huge following on social media and a love for his unique take on fashion, he is taking the industry by storm.

To hear part 1, view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71

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When it came to success in fashion, Guillermo Irias had nothing going for him. Raised in the Honduras by a single mom who didn’t think a fashion career was a good idea, he didn’t have the financial or emotional support he needed.

But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design.

Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time.

• Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will
• Working your way through college after leaving home
• Funding your dream with side jobs
• Showcasing at New York fashion week
• Entering contests that can change your career
• Moving to New York and attending F.I.T
• Internships that lead to working with high profile clients
• Trying to find the right job after college

From making garments for friends to styling for NY residents, and entering contests to doing free internships at any brand that would take him, he saw every experience as an opportunity to learn something. He even had the opportunity to design for Madonna's Rebel heart tour in 2015.

GIA New York is a successful NY brand that has grabbed people's attention all across the U.S. With huge following on social media and a love for his unique take on fashion, he is taking the industry by storm.

To view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71

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Becoming a fashion designer in real life is not what most people think it is.

Because what you see on Project Runway and what you learn in school is not how the industry actually works.

So if you want a career in fashion, get the inside scoop from 10 industry experts.

Most of them have between 10-20 years experience, and they’ve worked at Brands like Lululemon, Under Armour, TopShop, Mavi Jeans, and Roxy.

Their designs have been Featured in magazines like InStyle, Vogue and Sports Illustrated.

If I were you? I’d take their advice VERY seriously.

Get ready for some good stuff (you know, the stuff no one talks about). It’s why I call it FASHION INDUSTRY SECRETS REVEALED.

Note: This was originally released on YouTube as part of the full Fashion Industry Secrets Revealed series (check out all episodes here). This episode lent so well to audio that we decided to release it as a bonus episode - enjoy!

• Carla Louise Stout: Website / Instagram
• Cristina Dorda Soriano Website / Instagram
• Eirini Scott: Website / Instagram
• Emily Keller: Website / Instagram
• Jackie Ayres: Website / Instagram
• Kimberly Hamilton-Rice: Website / Instagram
• Kimberly Dippel: Website  
• Leila Jalili: LinkedIn / Instagram
• Malie Bingham: Website / Instagram
• Marissa Borelli: Website / Instagram

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Seeing other fashion brands on social media with these crazy cult followings can be pretty intimidating. You see these fashion brands and think, “I can't possibly generate that much interest in my designs.” 

But it’s possible.! You can design products that people want to buy because they are obsessed!

With the right consumer research and branding, you can fill a gap in the market. Create the right product for the right person? Can lead to a cult following. This is exactly what Aaron and Carmen of Caraa did. But not without the leg work it takes to build this kind of  cult following.

• Starting your fashion career in a different field (finance)
• Finding a gap in the fashion market, and figuring out how to fill the gap
• Saturating the fashion accessories market with a unique product
• Learning how to lead with design, but sell based on function
• Launching with only one well researched fashion product
• Doing product research directly with your potential customer
• Wading through all the financial options for funding
• Working with big brands to collaborate
• Why one way pitching doesn't often work out
• Manufacturing locally until you’re ready to manufacture overseas.

Aaron Luo and his partner Carmen Chen Wu, are innovators in the fashion accessories world. They noticed a gap in the market for a bag that would meet the needs of the multifaceted woman. The working woman, the mom, and yogi who needed the right bag to transition throughout all those roles without switching her bag, or worse carrying three of them at once. They have generated a cult following because of their unique, fashion focused, function driven line of bags.

With 20 years in finance for a company that specializes in clothing production he gained an understanding of the fashion market from a unique perspective. When he and his partner Carmen (designer for many years)  discovered a major gap in the market they decided to embark on this exciting new adventure together.

Aaron shares the ins and outs of designing a brand new fashion product. Most people think, “I designed this product, how can I fit it into the current market place?”. But Arron tells us about discovering a gap in the marketplace, then designing a product around what that consumer wants and more importantly what this customer needs.

• Caraa Website
• Caraa Instagram
• Athleta Collaboration  
• Caraa At Nordstrom

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Do you want to create a sustainable fashion brand ...but feel like you’re on the outside edge of what is going on in the fashion world? It can feel as though no one will ever give you the answers to your questions or share their inside information or tips.

Well... good news, this isn't permanent. There are many ways to get the information and help you need to create your sustainable fashion brand. But it's probably not from the people or places you have been looking.

Hearing Eva’s story will give you a brand new outlook. It will change the way you look at your materials, products and production. She shares how her journey took a turn for the better and how she found an easier, much more inclusive environment to have her garments made and how she kept to her goal of including community into her sustainable fashion brand.

• Why knowing what you want to do from the age 16 doesn't always land you in the right college
• How to make your college courses work for you  
• How working with startup and indie brands created a base knowledge for her future work
• Why it’s important to have a photographer who already knows the model agency
• How creating a profile on Model Mayhem led to her first shoot getting published
• Why she decided to start making her own clothing
• How she found her dream tailor in Bali
• What deadstock fabrics are
• How she uses studio sales to learn from her customers

Eva Sheridan is the founder of her sustainable fashion brand EnoBlack. Her fashion brand encompases her passion for sustainability and community into one beautiful package. Offering people well designed, custom sizing and quality, unique fabrics she gives her customer an experience like no other brand can.

It all started in 2000 at Stanford University (with isn’t know for its fashion education) where she molded her degree to fit her career aspirations. A few years later, and she decided to start piecing together this dream she had of creating her own sustainable line. She quickly found this discouraging, no one in the States was willing to share their insights or tips with other designers.

In Bali,  she meet the perfect tailor who was willing to small batch one of her designs. She brought these dresses home and a couple extra intended to be gifts for friends. She soon had none left for herself, her friends bought up all of her dresses! So she returned to Bali to meet with her tailor again and see how she could build this relationship, and grow her brand.

• Eno Black Website
• Eno Black on Instagram
• Eno Black on Facebook
• Model Mayhem Braces Goof (Episode 45)

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Many of you have loads of Q’s about working in fashion…and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don’t know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don’t even know where to go. Which is why I’m excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on college, Why You're Not Getting the Job, Freelancing and Factories.(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

I want to study fashion design in college. But I’m afraid that I’m still not skilled enough to get in.  I’m wondering if there’s any way to build up my skill so I’m confident and capable of getting in? And I’m in the process of getting a good stylist tool, and want to ask if there’s any good apps and programs for tablets for fashion design?

I want to know what are the other essential things one needs to know apart from illustration and tech packs,and what do you recommend will be of help to us, lastly when you started what did you learn first that put you in that different light.

I am writing to you hoping you help. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and majored in Accessories Design. I've since interned in a few places but now that I am looking for a permanent job in the industry I can't seem to land one. I'm getting interviews so I know my resume isn't the issue. I have a portfolio and I looked at your website to only use relevant-to-job designs yet I'm missing something obviously. I've used the websites for fashion, recruiters, and nothing seems to work. I was advised by my school not to have an online portfolio since people are more likely to steal ideas that way. I'm hoping you can help me in anyway by giving me direction or looking at portfolio which I can send you via email.

I have my first design client on the line, but I'm lacking confidence in formatting designs and how to present questions without letting on that I don't really know the drill!

I want to see some of their other designs to get a feel for how they are accustomed to seeing things presented. Is it common practice to ask my contact at the brand to pass them along to me?

I managed to find a few suppliers that I have visited their factories before. I have sent them my designs and has asked them to quote me.

All of them, perhaps, knew my inexperience in the field, quoted me a very high price for samples and bulk production. Except one supplier - who is rated quite well on alibaba but I have never seen their factory before. I just happened to reply to one of their emails and they quoted me reasonable prices for my designs. The problem is i want top notch quality stitching. Should i be cautious that they are quoting me much lower than the rest? What would you do in my position?

• Wacom **Update** There is an app called Astropad that lets you to turn your iPad into a drawing tablet for your Mac. Thanks @hollytylerdesign for letting me know about this :)
• Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Fashion Portfolio (in a weekend)
• Heidi’s Fashion Design Journey (with embarrassing photos)

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You finally have your design process down and your merchandise production down to a science and you feel like you’re ready to take on one of those big time retailers, but you have no idea how to reach them. You have no idea how to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom, you're a little scared to hand over your fashion designs and trust them to a stranger.  

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems. You can find the right showroom sales partner to help you take your fashion line to the next level.

This is exactly what Purvi Kanji does for several designers from all over the country. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast she talks about her job and how she helps designers like YOU, get into their dream retailer.

• How to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom
• How to know if you’re ready to start building that relationship
• What it means to fine tune your price point
• What a fashion showroom sales representative can do for your brand
• How your brand should look before working with a fashion showroom
• How to get discovered by a fashion showroom
• What the negotiation process looks like before working with a fashion showroom
• Creating consistency from season to season and region to region
• The importance of creating an experience for your customer

Purvi Kanji is a showroom director of Place showroom, which is a full service sales and consulting agency. She works with independent, established and startup brands to find the best place for you to sell your fashion line in the crazy retail world.

Purvi shares just how much effort she puts into finding the perfect place for each designers fashion line. She shares with us that every contract is designed around each designers needs and wants for their brand. And the more voice your brand has the easier it is for them to find the perfect fit for your fashion line.

She also shared with us that they find designers all over the place. In local shows, through mutual connections and the most common is, believe it or not, Instagram. This little world of squares isn't just about taking pretty pictures. It's a universal platform to completely brand yourself and get your designs in front of the eyes of some of the countries biggest branding and consulting agencies without spending a dime. They look here on a regular basis to find new talent and well curated brands.

• Place Showroom Website
• Place Showroom Blog
• Place Showroom Instagram

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One of the best ways to get ahead in fashion - whether it's to get your first (or next) job or to launch your own fashion brand - is networking. Now, I know, no one really wants to "network".

But here's the thing:

You don't have to do that "networking" thing. Instead, you can just focus on making friends and having conversations. Once you build some of these simple habits into your daily life, opportunities will literally start falling in your lap.

I guarantee it.

Because - in case you didn't realize it - friends share resources and opportunities with other friends. So the next time you need a job or a desperate to find a new factory for production, if you have a network, you'll easily be able to reach out and ask someone for help.

In this Podlet episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Robyn and I go through 10 easy networking tips you can use today. We reference examples of how other guests on the show have used these strategies, and share ideas about how you can use them.

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration.

• How to network online and build remote relationships...no matter where you live
• How to easily stay in touch with your network so they think about you for opportunities
• How to expand your network beyond the obvious "fashion designers"
• What two tiny things you can do to stand out from everyone else
• Why your attitude has a huge impact on whether people want you to be part of their "network"
• How working together versus working alone will get you 10x further in life and your career
• The importance of building your network with the expectation of getting nothing in return
• How to get what you want...by asking for it
• Why you need to pay attention to other people...and not just think about yourself

• Episode 35 with contract designer Hilary Glenn
• Episode 60 with designer Carla Stout
• Episode 4 with freelancer Marissa Borelli
• Episode 29 with designer Malie Bingham
• Episode 43 with freelance pattern maker David Russon
• Episode 47 with designer Aileen Coyle
• Episode 61 with brand owner Jackie Ayres
• Mailbag Episodes

• Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine.

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Are you an artist or designer who finds inspiration is everywhere, often in the most unexpected places? And do you ever feel stuck not knowing how to turn it into anything?

This is exactly what happened to Nadia Ricketts of Beatwoven, a textile and surface pattern designer who turned music into fabric.

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration.

• Seeing sound within your surface pattern designs
• Designing your own surface pattern technology when the industry doesn't provide it
• Working with the last remaining silk weaving plant in the UK
• How you can create collaborations with big brands
• Wading through how to fund your dream project
• Understanding the boundaries between copyright vs trademark
• Working with lawyers to really understand your niche
• Finding your focus between interior design and fashion design
• The value of self development and keeping your surface pattern design dream alive

Nadia Ricketts is an innovator in the world of surface pattern design. She took her college project and turned it into a brand. She has done partnerships with huge brands like Harrods to create unique textiles that combine surface pattern design with music.

Yes, look at music! Nadia was a dancer for most of her young life. Music held a place in her heart and she enjoyed letting her body tell the story the music notes were playing. While finishing up her degree to become a textile designer she came up with an idea to integrate sound waves into her surface pattern designs.

She shares with us all about the background research that goes into creating something out of nothing. Licensing and the difficulties of wading through all the legal jargon and technicalities of copyright and trademark. The struggle of “getting things to work” and the importance of self development.

• Beatwoven Website
• Beatwoven Instagram
• Harrods

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You’re someone who spends hours getting lost in a fashion idea, drawing and redesigning a garment over and over again until it’s just right. But once those ideas are perfected you’re not sure how to go from hand drawing on a napkin to holding that garment in your hands.

But you can wade through the uncertainty of becoming a startup fashion designer, your dream can come true!

Which is exactly what Anouchka Santella of Wear Gold clothing line did.  And in this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Heidi introduces you to her, where they talk about how she became a startup fashion designer.

• How to take napkin drawings from concept to an actual product line
• Finding a reliable team of seamstresses and pattern makers
• Deciding to keep your garment production local and cost effective
• Why you shouldn't be afraid to take risks with your first fashion Line
• How to drive sales to your design website in a cost effective way
• Why it's important to take the right margin on your final garments
• Her decision to design something that would create less waste in our landfills
• Why you shouldn't be ashamed of your retail price point
• How she funded her startup fashion design brand
• The importance of having the self discipline to get to the finish line slowly

Anouchka Santella was a journalism major who has taken her pipe dream and made herself into a full fledged fashion designer with her startup fashion line called Wear Gold, in only 6 months.

She had no experience or education in fashion design, pattern making or sewing, so she never thought she could become a designer. That was as big of a dream as becoming a “big music star or movie actress”. Like many designers she noticed a hole in the fashion marketplace that she wanted to fill. Where fast fashion is on the rise and so are the piles of garbage in the landfills, she wanted to create a line that would stand the test of time.

She shares the trials and tribulations of creating a fashion line that is manufactured in her country of origin and keeping the price point reasonable. She shares some of her “ahh ha” moments about what it really costs to have clothing made and how flighty people in the industry can be.

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Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs.

Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores.

But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level.

Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color:

Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs.

Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores.

But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level.

Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color:

In this mini episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I chatted with Kat from Solstice to hear more about what exactly happened and how they handled the AliExpress knockoff situation.

She talks about how it all went down, how they protect themselves from other copycats, and how they’ve built a loyal following through exceptional customer service.

• Solstice Intimates
• Solstice on Instagram

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Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I'm excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.

Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on industry terminology (samples vs prototypes), made to order fashion, trend research jobs, and textile design.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)

Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

I was interested in knowing what is the difference between a prototype and a sample?

I currently have a bachelor's degree in business and a year of work under my belt as a buyers assistant. I wouldn't say I have a background in design but I do draw very often especially on my iPad and just started learning Adobe Illustrator with the help of your videos. Do you think it would be worth it to go back to school for fashion design. I find I am not qualified for the design jobs I want and I am not sure how to get in the industry without a design background.

I have an idea and wanted to know your opinion/feedback.

How amazing would be if I can find a job that is trend forecasting? Of course, I do love designing and I am getting ideas for my portfolio but I think ultimately - trend forecasting would be the next big thing I would love to do. I am trying to google information, and the requirements and even if companies are hiring. It's not so easy to find as, there are companies who do this specifically out there and are worldwide.

Could you offer any feedback?

My name is Breanna and I am the owner and designer of Bre Nikole. I design pants for tall women, or at least I want to.

I'm struggling to find a manufacturer/cut sew factory as well as funding for production. I've building my brand for some years and I'm ready to put product out. Until I have the right funding, I was considering doing "Made to Order". What do I need to consider for myself and customers when doing "Made to Order"?

I subscribe to and love your podcast! And I signed up for your Illustrator class, but can't seem to find the time to learn it.

A little about me:

I am a working mom with you 2 baby boys.... I run a brick & mortar family business in which my favorite part is that I have fairly high end coastal boutique.  I recently launched a website which I am growing slowly due to the fact that I am a one woman show who does everything myself. I am also "an artist" with lots of creative energy that I don't always get to use.  My dream has always been to launch my own label that I can sell in my boutique and on the website. I want to design my own prints to digitally print. I find myself always wanting to take a first step towards this, but not sure what to do.  Must I first learn Illustrator so that I can design my prints myself, or is there a way around this? I am considering hiring a consultant like I heard on one of your podcasts to help me get started, do you think this is a good idea? I have zero time, but feeling like I need to follow my dream asap!

Thank you for reading and THANK YOU for all that you do to support all of the people with fashion dreams!!

• Interview with Exclusively Kristen: How to Launch Your Fashion Line with No Experience
• Creating a repeating pattern on paper (no computer needed!)

If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show.

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Do you have ideas, big ideas that can change the way consumers use a specific fashion product? Do you spend all your time drawing up designs, getting feedback from friends and family and thinking of new ways to create ease of use for your consumer? Do you spend time wondering how you can build a profitable brand with no experience? Fashion retail is a tough industry to get noticed in, but you know you have the perfect product that is missing from the fashion market and your just not sure how to get it there.

You can make it happen for yourself! Taking a design and building a profitable fashion brand around it, is within reach as long as you're ready to take on the day to day business tasks of building a profitable fashion brand.

This is exactly what Claire Fuller did when she realized that UK retailers were not selling the perfect baby changing bag she was looking for. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast we will talk about her 10 year whirlwind story of building a profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience.

• Conceptualizing your design ideas with no experience
• Compiling customer feedback to ensure that her baby bag was exactly what moms needed
• Working with a fashion seamstress/designer to bring designs to life
• Why she decided to self fund her first retail orders
• The importance of consumer markets/shows
• Working through distribution of her fashion baby bag
• Following regulations for making a children's product
• Her strategies for researching the marketplace
• The importance of taking classes and seeking guidance from people who have experience in the fashion industry
• How she realized it was time to sell her brand and figuring out the perfect person to be a partner
• Why she registered the brand name and trade name in China as well as the USA

Claire Fuller is an inventor and designer of the Babymule. She sells her brand in the UK and on amazon.

Claire started her career by working as a production manager for a local sculpture artist. This job prepared her for the design process of her baby bag because it required a lot of research and problem solving to get to that end goal. But nothing could completely prepare her for this major adventure she was about to embark on. She had just had her first baby and was in search of the perfect baby bag but she couldn't seem to find exactly what she was looking for. So she embarked on the journey of designing and producing her own profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience.

She talks about everything from the design startup phase all the way to the production and distribution phase. She also shares some of the burdens that rain down once you have hit a peak in your business and you can no longer run this thing on your own.

• BabyMule Website
• Mintel Reports

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You have had this full time corporate fashion job for several years. You’re comfortable where you're at, with benefits, income and stability. But you also have this “passion project” that you started as a creative outlet and it has turned into a fashion startup business. You spend all your free time designing, making, creating and problem solving in your craft.

But now you’re stuck. This fashion startup business has begun to flourish, your process has streamlined and your passion has grown and yet you’re still working your 9-5 fashion job. Figuring out where to go from here can be rather unnerving.

This is exactly what Jackie Ayres from Dyetology did. I am so excited to share with you how she QUIT HER DAY JOB FOR HER FASHION STARTUP BUSINESS and made it work.

• The journey to finding your passion in the fashion industry
• Turning your passion project into a profitable fashion business
• Finding the energy to “do it all” when running your fashion startup
• Why you should allow yourself to dream
• How she used her corporate job to fund her fashion startup business
• Feeling at peace with quitting your corporate fashion job
• How to leave corporate life and move into entrepreneurship
• Her thoughts on “doing the research” for yourself
• Finding a mentor or support group established in the fashion industry
• Why you have to ask yourself “do you love it” because no one else will

Jackie Ayres from Dyetology hand dyes textiles that she turns into scarves, shawls, skirts and tops. She spent 3 years organically growing her startup fashion business all while raising her son and working her full time corporate fashion job. Using this overlapping time to really learn what she liked about the hand dying industry and teaching herself what was needed to make it into a profitable business.

She spent 14 years designing in the corporate world honing her talents and learning form the best in the industry. While climbing the corporate ladder she felt like her job was void of the kind of creative outlet that would leave her feeling passionate. So she started hand dyeing textiles out of her home and soon learned this was a passion project she wanted to turn into a full time career.

She loves to be transparent with her customers, followers and any one who asks for her advice about how she got to this point in her career that she is at. As long has you have the drive and have done the background research she is more than willing to help answer any questions you have about this scary transition from corporate life to small business owner. She hopes to break down some of the barriers that most of us face in the fashion industry when it comes to sharing helpful information.

• Dyetology Website
• Dyetology on Instagram
• Dyetology on Pinterest
• Dyetology on Twitter
• Dyetology on Facebook
• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Shopify

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The thought of being a jet setting international fashion designer working around the world from London to Shanghai and Hong Kong to Istanbul sounds like a fantasy life. But for Carla Louise Stout, it's been her reality for the last 15 years.

Carla got her start the way most designers do with formal training at fashion school. But it wasn't easy for her to break into the industry. After 20 interviews and some unattractive offers to "work for free to gain experience!", she finally landed her first entry level fashion design job.

Carla takes us through a day in the life of an international fashion designer, and also shares how she built her career from the ground up. Her fashion career growth strategies were so simple that she didn't even know she was using them, but the one simple thing she did almost guaranteed there was always another job or opportunity waiting for her.

In this fashion designer interview, you'll learn:

• The one edit you can make to your fashion portfolio to help you land your first entry level job (even if you don't have any experience)
• What it's like to travel the world working as an international fashion designer
• How keeping in touch with people will 10x your career success
• The one simple thing Carla did to make fashion jobs "fall in her lap" over and over
• How to take a year off from your fashion career and still make sure brands see you as "relevant" and "on trend"
• The hardest parts of working internationally, being away from family, and trying to learn a new language
• The difference between working for suppliers vs brands, and what to do when you get pigeonholed
• The reality of being a fashion designer and how much time you actually spend designing

The work you do as a fashion design student tends to be very conceptual, when in reality, most brands are looking for commercial work. Carla found it really hard to get her first fashion design job with her student portfolio and after 20+ interviews was only getting offers to "work for free to gain experience!" A pretty crummy situation many fashion designers find themselves in. In our interview, she explains the ONE edit she made to her portfolio that finally got her an entry level job.

It sounds simple, but every job Carla's ever gotten was because she kept in touch with people. Whether it was a friends from past jobs, a fashion recruiter who she built a relationship with, or a former boss, all of Carla's opportunities came from her network. To her, it was natural to stay connected with people. But for many, it's not always that easy. In our interview she shares how she maintains industry relationships that turn into job offers, and how you can too.

Working internationally sounds glamorous, but it's not without its challenges. Carla shares funny stories, hard times, and her day to day experiences that she lived while working in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and most recently Istanbul for Mavi Jeans.

• Carla's Website
• Carla on Instagram

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Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I'm excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.

Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on freelancing, how to gain industry experience, and quitting your job.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)

Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

How could someone start as a freelancer without much industry experience? Is it just really hard as you state it or completely impossible? Are there any ways to start doing things that just require specific skills you could gain from studying or practicing?