Tag: Networking
Seven Awesome Fashion Jobs You Never Knew Existed
Because Being a Fashion Designer Isn’t Your Only Option! We just reviewed what a day in the life of a fashion designer looks like. And it may have left you feeling a little flat. Which is why we’re going to go through 7 awesome fashion jobs you never knew existed. The best part about these […]
How to Get a Fashion Design Job
You want to know what happens when you go to fashion school? They teach you how to tap into your creativity by hand sketching, draping, and sewing beautiful designs. And while you may walk away with gorgeous portfolio from your senior collection, a book full of amazing sketches and photos of your runway show is not going to get you a job.
SFD079 Three Years as a Freelance Fashion Designer
Kimberly Dippel was on the Successful Fashion Design podcast in August 2017, and we talked about her success finding freelance projects on UpWork. Since then, she’s come such a long way! In this episode of the podcast, we’re doing our first (!) follow-up with a past guest. Kimberly has slayed the freelance game this last […]
SFD078 Working with Factories as a Freelance Fashion Designer
There are a lot of different paths to becoming a freelance fashion designer. And Heather Royer took one I’d never heard of before. Instead of working directly with brands, she got her first freelance opportunity designing for a factory in China. The best part? There are ways you can create the same freelance opportunities for […]
Bonus Episode: What I Wish I Knew About a Fashion Career (from 10 industry experts)
Becoming a fashion designer in real life is not what most people think it is. Because what you see on Project Runway and what you learn in school is not how the industry actually works. So if you want a career in fashion, get the inside scoop from 10 industry experts. Most of them have […]
SFD066 10 Easy Networking Tips (you can use today) to Get Ahead in Fashion
One of the best ways to get ahead in fashion – whether it’s to get your first (or next) job or to launch your own fashion brand – is networking. Now, I know, no one really wants to “network”. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to do that “networking” thing. Instead, you can just focus on making […]
SFD061 Are You Ready to Quit Your Job for Your Fashion Startup Business?
You have had this full time corporate fashion job for several years. You’re comfortable where you’re at, with benefits, income and stability. But you also have this “passion project” that you started as a creative outlet and it has turned into a fashion startup business. You spend all your free time designing, making, creating and problem […]
SFD060 Shanghai, Hong Kong and Istanbul: A Day in the Life of an International Fashion Designer
The thought of being a jet setting international fashion designer working around the world from London to Shanghai and Hong Kong to Istanbul sounds like a fantasy life. But for Carla Louise Stout, it’s been her reality for the last 15 years. Carla got her start the way most designers do with formal training at […]
SFD058: Navigating the “4 P’s” of Fashion Marketing and Overcoming Networking Intimidation, with Robyn Spady
One area of the fashion industry that unites us all together is marketing – getting the right message about our products to the right people. On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I interview Robyn Spady, a lifelong handweaver and fashion industry professional with over 17 years of experience. Throughout our engaging conversation, […]
SFD054 Mini Episode: The Priceless Advice of “Know Thy Customer”
You’ve probably heard about the value of getting to know your customer. It helps you understand what they need and learn how you can solve their problems. And whether you’re an up-and-coming brand, a freelance fashion designer, or looking for a job in the fashion industry, you have a customer. It’s whoever is paying you for a […]
SFD053: 4 Best Practices for Fashion Job Search Success, with Recruiter Shellie Simpson
The fashion job search process is not one to be taken lightly. Thankfully, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is Shellie Simpson, the Fashion Division Talent Director at Atrium Staffing. Shellie and her team at Atrium are creating a more personable relationship between top talent candidates and recruiters. Shellie shares her […]
SFD049: Learn How to Create a Stellar Fashion Portfolio From a Former Under Armour Designer, featuring Leila Jalili
Few fashion professionals are as passionate and knowledgeable as Leila Jalili, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. She left positions with global brands such as Under Armour and 686 Technical Apparel to focus on her career as a freelance creative consultant specializing in the design, direction, and development of performance apparel […]
SFD047: Why Choose a Career as a Pattern Maker (instead of a fashion designer)
When most people think about working in fashion, all they think about is being a designer. But did you know there are a lot of other really cool jobs out there in fashion? And a lot of the time, these jobs are less competitive than being a designer (but still as creative and fun!). Aileen Coyle is a perfect […]
SFD043: Build Your Career as a Freelance Pattern Maker (from anywhere)
You may think it’s impossible to have a career as a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry. And you’d probably think it’s even more impossible to do it from a rural town. But that’s exactly what David Russon does. In today’s episode of the SFD podcast, he shares exactly how he built his freelance career and […]
SFD036: How to Make it in the Fashion Industry (and in Manhattan) with Caroline Vazzana
Your dream has been to make it in the fashion industry since you were a little girl (or boy). I get it! It was my dream too. But this industry is tough. Man is it brutal! You get rejected. You hear no a lot. And the competition is fierce. But your fashion dream can come […]
SFD035: How to Build Your Career as a Contract Fashion Designer (and work from home)
It’s hard to have a career as a contract fashion designer and work from home. But what if I told you it was possible to get so good that you no longer had to look for it and instead, brands came to you? In this interview, Hillary shares exactly how she did this – and […]
SFD029: Fashion Career Advice for Ambitious Designers
Working your way up in the fashion industry is hard. But if you’re strategic about the relationships you build and how you perform in your job, you can easily stand out from your coworkers and the competition. In this interview, get industry insider fashion career advice you can use to get ahead today. Malie’s climbed […]
SFD027: Curled up in a Ball Crying: How Community Can Save You
Making it as an indie fashion designer is emotionally, mentally and financially brutal. And trying to do it alone is even harder. Which is why I love this episode with Nathalie Kraynina, an indie ready-to-wear fashion designer turned custom bridal designer who has built her brand by working with other designers. Sharing resources like factories […]
SFD025: Make the Most of A Fashion Sourcing Trade Show for Your Clothing Line
Attending a trade show is expensive, so before you go, make sure you’re fully prepared. Get industry expert advice from Trish of DG Expo to make the most of your trade show visits. Learn what mistakes you should avoid, and how to walk away with the right fabrics, trims and contacts for your clothing line. […]
SFD024: Part 2: Fighting Fear in Fashion
Last week, in episode 23 (part 1), I introduced you to Solomon Eversole, who has the most calm and collected approach to creativity I’ve ever witnessed. He also has the same approach to fear. There’s no panic or frantic “hair sticking straight up” frenzy moments. At least, that’s not what you see from the outside. […]
