There are a lot of great things about being a freelance fashion designer—like freedom, flexibility, and working on projects you love. The cherry on top is that your income potential is limitless.
But if you’re curious to know exactly how much money freelance fashion designers make, I’m going to tell you exact dollar amounts and share specific real-life examples.
Depending on where you live and your skills, your income will vary. You can make an extra $5,000 on the side up to $100,000+ a year as a freelance fashion designer.
My FAST students make between $20-$150/hour, and many earn more than their previous full-time salaries.
How Much Money You Can (or want to) Make Freelancing In Fashion Is Up to You
During my 10+ year career as a freelance fashion designer, I earned $100k+ while working about 30 hours a week. I set my own schedule, chose my clients, and was location independent.
In other words, I worked when I wanted, from wherever I wanted, on projects I wanted to do.
Since then, I’ve taught 100s of freelancers in fashion to do the same. Here are examples of my Freelance Accelerator: from Surviving to Thriving (FAST) grads who’ve shared their income.
This isn’t me just spewing out numbers from salary.com saying what the range could be.
This is real life data from real life people to answer your question of how much money do freelance fashion designers make!
Katerina is a freelance textile designer who splits her time between Italy and Macedonia.
“In my first year of freelancing I have already surpassed my earnings from when I was working full time for a brand!”
Alison, a freelance technical designer and patternmaker in Missouri, started freelancing with just a few years of experience. Within 18 months, she had already exceeded her old full-time salary–while working only 40 hours a week (far from the fashion industry’s typical 60+!).
Now after 4 years as a freelancer, she’s earning 75% more than her old salary and loving her work in fashion.
“I have as much work as I want, with clients coming to me instead of me having to pitch brands. I work with people I enjoy on projects that I love doing!”
“I started getting more projects and even took in other designers and expanded my team. I can realise my vision, from the comfort of my home, which is great. I love this life.”
Fast forward one year, she has 6 employees, and in 2022 her business made over $1,000,000. Yes, that is ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
“My side hustle quickly became my main hustle.”
Mari is a mom who works part-time and consistently earns $5,000 a month. She was able to finally move out of New York City and buy a house in Nashville!
“I used to worry about choosing between my fashion career and kids. As a freelancer, it doesn’t even cross my mind anymore.”
Your Earning Potential Is Unlimited As A Freelance Fashion Designer
You can replace your full income and then some. You can do projects on the side to make extra cash. It’s up to you. Unlike in a full-time job, you call the shots on when to raise your rates and by how much. (Here’s exactly how to do that with word-for-word scripts.)
It doesn’t matter where you live.
Even in a country like India, you can make as much money as you want as a freelance fashion designer.
Even without experience, you can make as much money as you want as a freelance fashion designer.
So, How Much Money Do Freelance Fashion Designers Make?
It will range from a few thousand a year to $100k+ a year, and it’s dependent on how you set your rates, what kind of clients you work with, and how driven you are to get the work.
The bottom line is that there is no limit. But beyond the money, you’re in control of your life, your schedule, and your rates. How effing amazing is that?
If you want to get started, here are some of my best free resources:
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