Listen to the new podcast episode!
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s episode:
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.
Episode Highlights
Introduction to Jade’s Journey
- Heidi introduces fashion freelancer and brand founder Jade Wei, spotlighting her experience with Alexander McQueen, her own label, and her involvement in the FAST program. Jade gives a quick overview of her role in the industry.
Beginning of Freelance Career
- Jade shares how she began freelancing while still in college, landing internships at Bora Aksu and Alexander McQueen that led to early freelance gigs.
Freelancing for Alexander McQueen
- She describes her responsibilities and projects while freelancing for Alexander McQueen, juggling this prestigious opportunity alongside her studies.
Continuing Education and Career Choices
- Instead of taking an in-house job post-graduation, Jade chose to deepen her skills at LCF in production and tailoring, all while supporting her family and laying the foundation for her own brand.
Establishing Her Brand and Freelancing
- Jade explains how she launched her brand while continuing freelance work, using her educational and technical background to shape both sides of her career.
Building and Maintaining Client Relationships
- She emphasizes the value of relationships and social proof in attracting freelance clients, sharing her strategy of staying visible and maintaining client ties without constantly pitching.
Shift to Digital Pattern Making and Pricing Strategy
- Jade discusses her move into CLO for digital pattern making, and how she transitioned from hourly rates to a project-based pricing model that aligns better with her services.
Heidi’s FAST Program and Continuous Learning
- Reflecting on her time in FAST, Jade explains how it helped her grow her business, improve her pricing and negotiation strategies, and embrace lifelong learning.
Values and Philosophies in Fashion and Life
- Jade opens up about her values—prioritizing freedom, reflection, and creating meaningful work—both as a freelancer and brand owner.
Final Thoughts and Contact Information
- She closes with advice on carving unique paths in fashion and staying focused on long-term impact. Heidi wraps the episode by sharing how listeners can connect with Jade.
Key Questions and Responses
1. How did your freelance career start?
- Jade explained that she began freelancing during her industrial placement year while studying at Central St. Martin’s. Her placements included working for Boru Aksu and Alexander McQueen. Through these experiences, she started getting freelance jobs, including freelancing for Alexander McQueen after they offered her a position she couldn’t take due to her studies.
2. What does your work involve, and how have you balanced freelancing with your brand?
- Jade is a freelance designer and pattern cutter specializing in contemporary functional human wear, using 3D techniques. She also manages her own brand, offering made-to-order capsule collections and bespoke services. Freelancing has been a way for her to generate income while she invests in and builds her own brand. She enjoys the creative freedom and flexibility both roles offer.
3. How have you gotten clients over the years, and what strategies have you used?
- Most of Jade’s clients came through relationships and recommendations from those she had worked with. She has never pitched for work. Her reputation and quality of work have led to ongoing and new clients. Maintaining great impressions during projects and nurturing relationships have been key to her client retention and acquisition strategy.
4. Why did you join Fast, Heidi’s program on freelancing, despite already being an established freelancer?
- Jade joined Fast to further refine her skills, particularly around pricing strategies and expanding her business knowledge. While she had experience freelancing, she wanted more structured tools and insights to manage client relationships and pricing more effectively.
5. How have you approached pricing and transitioned from hourly to project-based pricing?
- Initially, Jade charged hourly, increasing her rates gradually over time. Recently, she moved towards project-based pricing, especially with her new services involving digital pattern and 3D sampling. This method better matches client expectations and her workflow efficiencies, allowing for clearer budget projections for clients.
6. What led to your decision to focus on digital tools like CLO 3D and transition fully to digital pattern cutting?
- Jade saw the potential of digital tools to improve efficiency and sustainability in pattern cutting. She waited until she felt the technology was mature enough and then invested fully in learning it. She transitioned to digital pattern cutting to streamline her workflow, reduce waste, and enhance her service offerings to clients.
7. What advice do you have for those considering a career in fashion but uncertain about formal education vs. self-teaching?
- Jade emphasized that both formal education and self-teaching have their merits. Fashion school offers networking opportunities and formal recognition, while self-teaching can be highly effective if one is disciplined and finds the right mentors. Continuous learning and honing one’s craft is essential regardless of the path taken.
About Jade
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 j.w@atelier-wcmf.com
- 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