Tag: Freelance
5 Steps to Become a Freelance Fashion Designer
Becoming a freelance fashion designer comes down to just FIVE steps. The process may seem overwhelming and intimidating, and of course there are nuances, but it’s really simple. Here are the 5 steps to become a freelance fashion designer: Here’s a more detailed look at all five steps to become a freelance fashion designer. Click […]
Protect Yourself: Freelance Fashion Designer Contract (Free Template!)
When it comes to being a freelance fashion designer, you want to make sure you protect yourself and get paid. Luckily, there are some really easy things you can do (without hiring a lawyer) in your invoices and contracts to cover your butt. And yes, I’m going to give you a free contract template just […]
What Does a Freelance Fashion Designer Do?
A lot of people wonder, what does a freelance fashion designer do? The list is long, and it’s way more than just “design”! Whether you’re starting without experience or have been in the industry for years, you have a lot of options when it comes to deciding what to do as a fashion freelancer. Here […]
SFF138 How She Did It: A Fashion Freelancer with No Industry Experience
“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 […]
SFF137 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: I feel like I’m losing my skills and confidence…
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 […]
SFF136 Creating Stability and Fulfillment as a Fashion Freelancer
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 […]
SFF135 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What should my services be? (The skills I have or what I LOVE?)
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… […]
SFF134 How to Be a Remote Freelance Patternmaker
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 […]
SFF133 The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer
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. […]
SFD126 How to Find Freelance Fashion Design Clients
Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, charging a retainer for consistent income, and growing your freelance fashion business even when it seems like there’s no work out there. 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 […]
SFD124 How this Pattern Drafter Grew Her Freelance Business with Generosity
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 […]
SFD122 Working as a Freelance Pattern Maker with Shilo Byrd (+ Tips on Starting Your Own Brand)
Shilo Byrd has been in the industry for a decade and a half, and she knows her stuff. She’s a freelance 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 […]
SFD121 How to be a fashion freelancer (if you don’t know anyone in the industry)
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. Even if you don’t know anyone in the fashion industry, you […]
SFD117 How to quit your full time fashion job and start freelancing
*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 […]
SFD113 How to fund your fashion brand with a freelancing career
Need funding to launch your fashion brand? Mat Booth, founder of UK-made luggage brand Both Barrels, funded his startup brand by working as a freelancer. Listen to the story of how he shifted from employment to freelancing, and then started a successful label without any outside funding.
SFD107 What to Include in a Freelance Fashion Designer Contract
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 when you’re freelancing in fashion.
If you want to work in fashion, don’t send emails like this
I’m going to put on my glasses and wag my finger at you for a quick minute. Like the true nerdy old lady that I am! Because there’s a BIG lesson many people (and you?) need to learn to advance their fashion careers. It starts with emails like these: What should I include in my fashion […]
Freelance Fashion Designer Rates: Project Rates vs Hourly
As a freelance fashion designer, it’s easy to totally eff up your pricing… and only once it’s too late, do you realize YOU’RE NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY! So you’re wondering, how do you set your rates as a freelance fashion designer? Should you do a flat rate and price by project, or should you charge an hourly rate? Now, […]
Fashion portfolio mistakes that most freelance designers make
How can two fashion designers with similar portfolios have drastically different success with freelancing? After 6-months, one is desperate for any work, while the other has 3 steady clients and is on track to quit her full time job. What fashion portfolio mistakes is one of them making that’s leading to failure? I’ve been talking […]
SFD052: Mailbag! Your Fashion Industry Q’s Answered
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 adding a […]
