About this Episode:
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.
Episode Highlights
Introduction to Trudy Gardner
- Heidi introduces Trudy, sharing her unique background as a former military pilot turned fashion designer, now specializing in intimate apparel and Clo3D.
Trudy’s Current Role in Fashion
- Trudy explains her current work, focusing on designing intimate apparel and using Clo3D as a core part of her design process.
Transition from Military Pilot to Fashion Designer
- She shares her journey from the military to civilian life, including her decision to explore sewing and creative pursuits after leaving the Air Force.
Becoming a Stay-at-Home Mom and Learning Fashion Design
- Trudy talks about teaching herself to sew, completing an online fashion diploma, and re-entering the workforce when her son began school.
Starting Freelancing and Finding a Niche
- She describes her early freelancing experiences, identifying the home sewing pattern industry as her niche, and finding early success in that space.
Discovering Clo3D and Niching Down
- Trudy shares how she discovered Clo3D, the steep learning curve involved, and how positive client feedback encouraged her to fully embrace it.
Connecting with Industry Experts and Building Skills
- She talks about building connections with industry experts like Kristen Anderson and joining communities like the Intimate Apparel Technical Collective to grow her skills and network.
Growth and Transition in Freelancing Work
- Trudy reflects on how she moved from general freelancing to more advanced, niche projects using Clo3D, landing bigger clients along the way.
Reflecting on Rapid Growth and Progress
- She looks back on her fast progress over less than three years—learning 3D design, teaching courses, and gaining industry recognition.
Trusting the Process and Skill Development
- Trudy discusses the importance of trusting the learning process, even when unsure about industry demand, and how Clo3D is becoming a vital skill in fashion.
Mindset and Continuous Growth
- A candid take on freelancing’s ongoing uncertainty, the importance of reflecting on how far you’ve come, and staying committed to growth.
Final Question and Impact on the Industry
- In response to Heidi’s closing question, Trudy expresses her desire to be asked about impact—emphasizing her mission to contribute to fashion’s future through innovation in 3D technology.
Key Questions and Responses
1. Who are you and what do you do in fashion?
- Trudy Gardner introduces herself as a freelance fashion designer who specializes in intimate apparel and uses Clo3D software. She explains that she has spent the last two years learning everything she can about the field, particularly niching down to intimate apparel due to its complexity and demand.
2. What was your career path before entering the fashion industry?
- Trudy outlines her diverse background, mentioning her twelve years as a military pilot in Canada. She retired from the military for personal reasons, specifically after becoming a mother, which led her to reconsider her career while on maternity leave.
3. How did you transition from being a military pilot to a fashion designer?
- Trudy started learning to sew and make baby clothes while on maternity leave. Her growing interest led her to take an online diploma in fashion design. After her son began school, she found herself wanting to work, leading her to take additional courses like Adobe Illustrator and exploring freelancing opportunities in the fashion industry.
4. How did you land your first clients and what strategies did you use to find mentors in fashion?
- Trudy used Heidi’s course as a starting point. She reached out to people in the industry, offering value upfront by providing detailed sketches and illustrations, as demonstrated in her approach to pitching Emerald Erin. She also emphasized the importance of learning from others and contributing to communities like the Intimate Apparel Technical Collective.
5. Can you talk about your freelancing work and how it has evolved?
- Trudy explains that her freelancing began with independent pattern makers in the home sewing community. Over time, she started specializing in Clo3D and landed a significant client in Kristen Anderson. Her consistent learning and active presence in industry groups led to more freelancing opportunities and mentorships, such as skill swaps with Sophie Lusseau.
6. What inspired you to create a podcast, and how does it fit into your career?
- Trudy shares that her podcast, “Underdressed,” was born from her many enriching conversations within the intimate apparel community. She wanted to share these insights and knowledge with a broader audience. The podcast serves as an additional platform for learning and networking within the industry.
7. How do you balance your workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously?
- Trudy admits that she doesn’t adhere to a rigid social media or content strategy but focuses more on the quality of her work and consistent engagement with her learning and projects. She emphasizes enjoying the work and staying committed to personal growth and industry impact, primarily through her specialization in Clo3D and intimate apparel.
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: trudygardnerproductions@gmail.com
- 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
- There are a few about Clo, but Trudy recommends:
- Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Website
- Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Instagram
- Email Nicola: nicola@iatechnicalcollective.com
- Visit Ryan Amore’s Website
- Virtually Try On