In the real fashion industry, sourcing doesn’t mean shopping for luxury bags – it means hunting down fabric mills, negotiating MOQs, and making sure your trims show up on time.
A fashion sourcer (or sourcing agent / specialist) finds and vets suppliers, negotiates costs, and ensures materials and manufacturers meet quality and delivery standards.
In my 15+ years in fashion, I’ve worked closely with fashion sourcers – and even handled sourcing myself while freelancing with startup brands. To make this guide even more valuable, I also interviewed over 100 pros in the industry, including fashion sourcers, to give you a real look at what the job involves, how to get started, and how much you can earn (even as a freelancer).
What Does a Fashion Sourcing Agent Do?
Fashion sourcing agents work behind the scenes to make production happen. They’re the ones researching fabric suppliers and manufacturers, coordinating with trim vendors, requesting samples, checking lead times, and getting quotes.
Here’s a breakdown of their daily tasks:
- Source fabrics, trims, and other components based on a tech pack or brand vision
- Reach out to manufacturers or suppliers
- Request and track samples or strike-offs
- Evaluate suppliers on MOQs, lead times, and production capabilities
- Negotiate pricing and payment terms
How Do I Get a Job in Fashion Sourcing?
Many successful sourcing agents didn’t go to fashion school. They learned by doing.
The fashion sourcers that we surveyed came from different backgrounds – some had fashion degrees, most had business degrees, and one even had a chemistry degree (handy for textile sourcing! 😉). There are also a couple who started working in fashion merchandising roles and then decided to focus on sourcing.
Step 1: Get Hands-On Experience
Basically, having any type of experience that gives you a solid understanding of fabrics, trims, and manufacturing processes is essential in kickstarting your career. You can:
- Intern with a fashion brand, production agency, or sourcing company
- Assist freelance technical designers or product developers
- Offer help to small brands with supplier outreach or material research
Step 2: Build Your Supplier Network
As a sourcer, your rolodex is your resume. Start building:
- A list of fabric/trims suppliers (check Alibaba, Maker’s Row, visit trade shows)
- Sample email templates for supplier outreach
- Notes on lead times, payment terms, MOQ, and certifications
Keep everything organized so you can reuse it as you grow.
Pro Tip: Ask other freelancers or designers you know where they get their materials. Many people are happy to share vetted supplier contacts.
Step 3: Specialize in a Niche
Are you sourcing swimwear? Sustainable fabrics? Kidswear? Specializing helps you:
- Build deeper expertise in one category
- Pitch more confidently to brands in that space
- Stand out from generalist sourcing agents
Can You Work Freelance as a Fashion Sourcer?
Freelancing is one of the best ways to work as a fashion sourcer. It gives you the flexibility to work with multiple clients, set your own rates, and build your niche.
Take Tanveer Mirza (LinkedIn), founder of The Denim Papers. He started in a sourcing company, then spent over 10 years working in denim and knitwear factories before launching his own sourcing agency.
Today, he specializes in denim sourcing and production, leveraging strong relationships with mills and manufacturers in Pakistan.
“I started in a sourcing company in 2004 and stayed there for 5 years. I later worked in denim and knitwear factories for more than 10 years.
For the last 3 years I have been servicing clients for sourcing and productions for denim, circular knits, and textiles. Denim is always my strong area & I have a good grip and relations with denim mills and jeans/jacket producers in Pakistan.”
Or Shilpi Jha (LinkedIn), a freelance fashion sourcer from India. After working as a merchandiser for various brands, she transitioned to freelance sourcing and now earns $2,500/month – over 5x the average in-house salary for sourcing roles in India.
Then there’s Amanda Russo, a freelance fashion designer and FAST grad, who offers sourcing and product development services for factories. Just 3 months into freelancing, Amanda has already surpassed her previous full-time salary. The added perks of setting your own schedule and workspace? Priceless!
If you want to jumpstart your freelance fashion sourcing journey, I have a couple other guides that are perfect to start with.
🎧 Episode 156: How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients
🎧 Episode 206: How Do You Offer Sourcing As A Fashion Freelancer?
🎧 Episode 218: Is A Factory Legit? Vetting Tips for Freelance Fashion Designers
Additionally, check out my Complete Guide to Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (with low minimums).
And when you’re prepared to take the plunge, dive into my Free Step-by-Step Guide to Freelancing in Fashion.
Table of Contents
