Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

274: Fully Booked but Underpaid: Ingrid’s Path to Doubling Her Rates (Without Losing Clients)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:26:09 -0400

Imagine being slammed with client work… deadlines piling up… and still looking at your income like, “Wait—why doesn’t this match how hard I’m working?” That was Ingrid Lange—fully booked, wildly underpaid, and what she calls a “busy fool.” In this episode, Ingrid breaks down how she shifted from underpriced project work, to hourly for protection, and then back to premium project pricing based on value—plus how she doubled her rate with existing clients and got zero pushback. Quick heads up: we had a few choppy connection moments early on, but the insights are gold. Let’s dive in.

About Ingrid:
Ingrid Lange is a technical fashion designer who helps turn designs into physical, sellable products. She works across the full product development journey—from tech packs and global factory and material sourcing to prototype fittings and sustainable decisions.

Ingrid has lived and worked in Bangladesh on assignment for major international brands, fully immersed in large-scale factory environments and overseeing product development from the inside out. She has collaborated with major European brands including Zara, Next, Celio, and more. When she’s not bringing collections to life, Ingrid is exploring the world and has just visited her 65th country.

Connect with Ingrid:
Email her at ingrid.k.lange@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

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273: This Simple Follow-Up Strategy Landed Her a $4K Client

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:34:43 -0500

If your freelance strategy is “wait and hope a client emails me,” this episode is your wake-up call. Rebecca Kendall was in that exact spot—an experienced freelancer with great work under her belt, but relying too heavily on her network. That changed when she sent a simple visual follow-up to a past client... and it turned into a $4,000 project. We talk about the mindset shift that helped her get intentional, the niche pivot that made her more confident, and why you don’t need a giant audience to grow—you just need a plan. Let’s get into it.

About Rebecca:
Rebecca Kendall runs a creative and conscious textile design studio specializing in original print design, production ready placement prints and repeats with a focus on natural fibers and ethical production. Woven and printed checks are a speciality with florals, textures and playful illustration also featuring heavily. Fiber and sustainable sourcing, direction and advice is a passion and future focus for the studio.

Connect with Rebecca:
Follow her on Instagram

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272: The Cold Pitch That Landed JoAnne a $7800 Freelance Project

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

What if you could skip the job application—and still land the client? That’s exactly what JoAnne Hopkins did when she spotted a job post on Indeed, did a little sleuthing, and cold-pitched the founder directly. The result? A $7,800 freelance project doing what she loves most: tech design. In this episode, JoAnne shares how she turned burnout from running her own brand into clarity, confidence, and a booked-out freelance business she actually enjoys. If you’ve ever questioned your niche, your path, or your pricing—this episode will give you real talk, real strategy, and a whole lot of permission to do things your own way.

Resources:
266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year Transformation

About JoAnne:
JoAnne is an apparel technical design leader with over a decade of experience specializing in men’s swim and surf, as well as women’s swim, surf, activewear, resort, and lifestyle apparel. She has collaborated with both established brands and start-ups to bring exceptional products to market, with a strong focus on achieving the perfect fit.

Connect with JoAnne:
Email her at afibrands@gmail.com
Follow her on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

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271: Balancing a Full-Time Job and Freelancing: How Mia Makes It Work

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

What if you could freelance *and* keep your full-time fashion job—without getting burned out, breaking any rules, or making your boss mad? That’s exactly what Mia Vasquez has figured out. As a seasoned tech designer in the workwear industry, she’s also built a sustainable freelance business on the side—and she does it all with full transparency and zero burnout. In this episode, Mia shares how she sets client boundaries, juggles the workload, and navigates the tricky topic of non-compete conflicts. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really freelance while working full-time?”—this episode will show you how it’s done.

About Mia:
Mia Vasquez is a Technical Designer specializing in workwear, with extensive experience in plus-size fitting and garment development. She currently works in the corporate fashion industry while also supporting independent clients in building their personal clothing lines. Mia is passionate about creating well-constructed, inclusive designs that combine function with exceptional fit.

Connect with Mia:
Email her at sewme4@yahoo.com

Connect on LinkedIn

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270: From Laid Off to Fully Booked: How Bre Replaced Her Salary in Under 2 Years

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Imagine getting laid off—and 18 months later, you’re making more than your old job and booked solid into next year. That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, Bre Simpson. After a series of life-shaking events, Bre decided she was never going to depend on corporate again. In this episode, she shares how she rebuilt from zero to a thriving freelance business, the scrappy steps that landed her first $250 project, and the systems that now bring her 5‑figure clients. Her story is proof that even when everything falls apart, you can rebuild something even stronger.

About Bre:
Bre Simpson is a freelance performance and activewear designer who helps new brands launch smarter, not harder. With over a decade of experience at powerhouse companies like Lululemon and Aritzia, she brings deep industry expertise to emerging and small-scale apparel brands. Bre specializes in bridging the gap between creative vision and production reality—offering corporate-level execution without the in-house overhead.

Connect with Bre:
Visit her website
Email her at bresimpson@yourfutureinfashion.com

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Connect on LinkedIn

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269: She Quit Her Job in Under a Year—and Now Makes More Freelancing in Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Ever wondered how long it really takes to quit your job and go full-time as a freelance fashion designer? For Candice Stokes, it was less than a year. She went from working as an embroidery tech to earning *more* money on her own—working with dream clients and building a business that aligns with her values. In this episode, she shares exactly how she did it, from leveraging Instagram to streamlining her workflow, and what she’s learned since walking away from her 9-to-5.

Resources:
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days

About Candice:
Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).

Connect with Caroline:
Visit her website
Email her at hello@candicestokes.com

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Connect on LinkedIn

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268: Solo to Scaling: How This Booked Out Footwear Freelancer Is Building an Agency

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Imagine being so booked out as a freelancer that you can’t take on a single new client—so you start building a team. That’s where Louise Ryan found herself. In this episode, she shares how she went from solo footwear designer to scaling toward a full-blown agency. We talk about the mindset shifts, growing pains, and strategic moves that helped her evolve beyond a one-woman show. If you’re feeling maxed out and wondering what’s next, Louise’s story is the blueprint you’ve been looking for.

Resources:
209: From £4k to £12k A Month: How this Freelance Footwear Trend Consultant Did it!

About Louise:
Louise is an exceptional creative thinker, designer, and trend forecaster who is passionate about the footwear industry. Her drive to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and fully comprehend the entire process of footwear design and development is truly inspiring. By collaborating with global trend agencies, brands, and factories, she can provide valuable insights that will shape the future of this dynamic industry. future of this dynamic industry.

Connect with Caroline:
Email her at louise@larcreative.com

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267: From $14/hour to $65/hour as a Freelance Sample Maker (Even Though She Was Scared AF to Charge More)

Sew Heidi — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500

In Part 1, Caroline quit her underpaid factory job to run her freelance biz full-time. But what happened next? This episode is where it *really* gets juicy. Caroline opens up about the exact moment she raised her rate to $65/hour—and how terrifying it felt to say it out loud. She nearly backed down. She literally shook through the call. But she did it anyway.

And now? She’s getting clients directly from LinkedIn, turning down work that doesn’t fit, and building a business that finally *feels* good. If you’ve ever been scared AF to charge more, set boundaries, or step into your power—this episode is for you.

Resources:
020: The Step by Step Guide to Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (with low minimums) with Jay Arbetman
266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year Transformation

About Caroline:
Caroline Kuhlman is a sample maker who specializes in collaborating with pattern makers to bring designs from 2D concepts to real-life garments—faster than factories can. Through her hands-on process, clients gain valuable insights that help prevent costly production mistakes. Caroline loves bringing the tech pack, pattern, and materials together for the first time—and proudly calls herself a sewing nerd at your service.

Connect with Caroline:
Email her at raconteur@caroinekuhlman.com
Check out her website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

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266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year Transformation

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever wondered *how the heck someone actually quits their job to freelance full-time*—this episode is it. Caroline Kuhlman went from working in a sewing factory, filled with doubt about her skills, to running her own thriving freelance fashion business...in just one year. She had no portfolio, no website, and no idea where to start. But she made it happen. In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how she did it—and the quiet, powerful steps that helped her finally leave a job that was draining the life out of her.

Resources:
020: The Step by Step Guide to Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (with low minimums) with Jay Arbetman
267: From $14/hour to $65/hour as a Freelance Sample Maker (Even Though She Was Scared AF to Charge More)

About Caroline:
Caroline Kuhlman is a sample maker who specializes in collaborating with pattern makers to bring designs from 2D concepts to real-life garments—faster than factories can. Through her hands-on process, clients gain valuable insights that help prevent costly production mistakes. Caroline loves bringing the tech pack, pattern, and materials together for the first time—and proudly calls herself a sewing nerd at your service.

Connect with Caroline:
Email her at raconteur@caroinekuhlman.com
Check out her website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

265: The Proposal Strategy That Helped This Mom Close High-Ticket Clients (Part 2)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In Part 2, we pick up right where we left off—and go deep into the proposal process that helped Jade book aligned, high-paying clients without chasing or convincing. From discovery calls to saying no, you’ll hear exactly how she built a business model around energy alignment and long-term relationships—while raising a newborn.

Resources:
CLO3D
Style3D
Chris Do
The Fabricant AI
Look AI
Nano Banana AI
4 Fashion Designers Battle for $500 - Freelancer Pitching Challenge
264: How Jade Strategically Prepared Her Freelance Business During Pregnancy (Part 1)

About Jade:
Jade is a seasoned 3D sartorial streetwear designer, pattern maker, and product developer who previously contributed her technical expertise at Alexander McQueen. Since 2013, has led design innovation through her creative studio, Atelier WCMF.

With over 20 years of experience in pattern engineering and garment construction, Jade blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital tools (such as Clo3D, AI-enabled workflows, and virtual sampling) to streamline development, reduce waste, and deliver consistent high-quality results across collections.

Connect with Jacqueline:
Email her at j.w@atelier-wcmf.com
Check out her website

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264: How Jade Strategically Prepared Her Freelance Business During Pregnancy (Part 1)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

If you've ever wondered how to keep your freelance momentum going during one of the most life-changing transitions—this episode is for you. Jade Wei didn’t wait until after having her baby to get back into freelancing. She made the bold decision to start rebuilding *while* she was pregnant. With no recent work, no active portfolio, and a toddler on the way, she used this time to reset everything—from her niche to her mindset. If you’re in a season of transition or feeling like you need a fresh start, this conversation is going to light a fire under you.

Resources:
CLO3D
Style3D
Chris Do
The Fabricant AI
Look AI
Nano Banana AI
4 Fashion Designers Battle for $500 - Freelancer Pitching Challenge
265: The Proposal Strategy That Helped This Mom Close High-Ticket Clients (Part 2)

Connect with Jacqueline:
Email her at j.w@atelier-wcmf.com
Check out her website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

263: How Amanda Landed a $9K Freelance Fashion Project Without a Website

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What if your biggest freelance project started with a LinkedIn message... and didn’t close for another 8 months? That’s exactly how Amanda Cabania landed a $9,000 client for a women’s golf brand. With no website, minimal marketing, and a lot of uncertainty, she wasn’t sure where things would lead—but she stayed patient, followed up, and eventually got the yes. In this episode, Amanda shares how it all played out, what helped her stay grounded through the wait, and what it really looks like to grow a freelance business while raising three kids.

About Amanda:
Amanda Cabania is a fashion industry professional based in Austin, TX and a proud mom of three young children who keep her on her toes. With 14 years of experience, she began her career in corporate fashion at Forever 21 after graduating from FIDM. While she has a strong background in the corporate world, her true passion lies in supporting and helping small businesses grow. Amanda completed the FAST program just a year ago, and although freelancing is still new to her, she's excited about the journey and hopeful to make it her permanent path.

Connect with Amanda:
Email her at amanda@amandacabaniadesign.com

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262: From Permalance to Premium: How Niching Down Landed Martha 5-Figure Freelance Projects

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Tired of saying yes to everything—and still not getting paid what you’re worth? Martha Fogarty was, too. After years of permalance gigs, unpaid invoices, and murky job titles, she drew a line in the sand. In this episode, Martha shares how getting hyper-clear on her niche and offer flipped the power dynamic, brought in multiple five-figure clients, and helped her build a freelance business that’s finally on her terms. If you’ve ever felt like clarity could change everything—this one proves it can.

About Martha:
Martha is the founder of LIFTOFF — fashion’s ultimate brand launch lab. Part design school, part business bootcamp, it’s where early-stage founders learn how to build labels that don’t just look good but become successful, profitable companies. She’s spent 25+ years helping companies go from scrappy idea to runway darlings with record-breaking revenues, including Chris Benz and Brandon Maxwell. Along the way, she’s picked up CFDA awards, launched, scaled and sold two brands of her own, and guided dozens of founders from "I think I want to do this" to 7-figure business owners. Her mission? Demystify the fashion industry, skip the gatekeeping, and equip and empower future founders to lead like both the Creative Director and the CEO of their future.

Connect with Martha:
Email her at martha@321liftoff.net
Check out her website

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261: The Big Mistake She Made on a $10K Project (and How She’s Fixing It ) (Part 2)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Just because you land a $10K freelance project doesn’t mean it all goes smoothly. Jacqueline’s back to share what *didn’t* go so great—and the one decision she regrets most. We unpack the lessons she’s learning around boundaries, overgiving, and setting clear terms from the start. Whether you’re early in your freelance business or landing big wins yourself, this episode is a must-listen for protecting your time, energy, and value.

Resources:
260: How Jacqueline Landed Her First $10K+ Freelance Fashion Project (Part 1)
196: How This Freelancer Does Sourcing & Product Development for Factories (and is making bank)
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross) with Nikki Rausch
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days
Conscious Fashion Collective
The Power Pause, Neha Ruch Book

About Jacqueline:
Jacqueline is a freelance denim designer who collaborates with ethical brands. Denim production has significant environmental and social consequences, mainly due to chemical dyes, excessive washing, and unethical labor practices. Her work aims to raise awareness that the denim industry should prioritize not only sustainability but also fairness, ethics, responsibility, and promoting slow consumption. Jacqueline is dedicated to contributing towards steering the industry in a positive direction for the future.

Connect with Jacqueline:
Email her at connect@jacquelinediane.com
Check out her website

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Connect on LinkedIn

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260: How Jacqueline Landed Her First $10K+ Freelance Fashion Project (Part 1)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

You ever wonder what it *actually* takes to land a $10,000+ freelance project in fashion? Jacqueline’s back for her third appearance—and this time, she walks us through how a total stranger found her on Google, filled out her project form, and signed a $10,498 contract without negotiating. We get into the exact pricing strategy, mindset shifts, and proposal she used to close it—and what she did *before* the contract even landed to help seal the deal. Let’s get into it.

Resources:
196: How This Freelancer Does Sourcing & Product Development for Factories (and is making bank)
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross) with Nikki Rausch
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days
Conscious Fashion Collective
The Power Pause, Neha Ruch Book

Connect with Jacqueline:
Email her at connect@jacquelinediane.com
Check out her website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

259: Why Max Said Yes to a “Cheap” Project—and Doesn’t Regret It

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

You’ve probably been told never to say yes to cheap work. But what if that project could launch your freelance career? That’s exactly what Max Guemto did. With no reviews and a fresh Upwork profile, he got a message from a client offering just $150—and instead of walking away, he saw a smart opportunity. In this episode, Max unpacks the mindset, strategy, and communication that made this “cheap” project totally worth it. If you’ve ever debated whether a low-budget job is worth your time, this story will shift your perspective.

About Max:
Max Guemto is a freelance 3D fashion and activewear designer currently based in Korea. After earning his degree in textile and clothing technology in Germany, he interned across the globe—from lingerie brands to spinning factories—before diving headfirst into freelancing. With a sharp eye for detail and a deeply strategic mindset, Max helps brands bring functional, innovative activewear to life.

Connect with Max:
Email him at maxguemto@gmail.com
Check out his website

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Connect on LinkedIn

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258: How This Mom Built a Freelance Business With a Toddler at Home

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What if you could build a thriving freelance fashion business… while raising a toddler at home? That’s exactly what Philippa Cooper—aka Pip—has done, working just two days a week. In this episode, Pip shares how she went from a COVID layoff to building a client roster using platforms like PeoplePerHour and LinkedIn. You’ll hear how she doubled project rates, started integrating Clo 3D into her services, and got consistent inquiries without even having a website. If you’re trying to make freelancing work in the margins of your day, Pip’s story proves it’s 100% possible.

What if you could build a freelance career during nap time and weekend evenings? That’s exactly what Philippa Cooper—aka Pip—has done. Specializing in technical outerwear, she shares how she turned part-time hours into consistent £1K+ months, how Clo 3D transformed her workflow, and why LinkedIn has become her go-to marketing tool. This episode is packed with real strategies, mindset shifts, and tactical advice for freelancers trying to make it work with limited time.

Resources:
216: What 3D Fashion Design Software Is the Best? With Sylwia Szymczyk
Facetuneapp.com for professional AI headshots

About Philippa:
Philippa “Pip” Cooper is a freelance pattern cutter and outerwear specialist based in Southeast England. She helps UK startups develop technical outerwear with a focus on fit, precision, and performance. Using tools like Clo 3D and leveraging her extensive industry experience, Pip creates efficient workflows that support startup founders from concept to production.

Connect with Philippa:
Email her at pip.cooper.fl@gmail.com
Check out her website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

257: Why Afroditi Quit Upwork After Hitting $100K (Part 2)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What happens after you hit $100K on Upwork? For Afroditi, it meant finally stepping away. In this second half of our in-person interview, she shares how she scaled her freelance business, raised her rates, and built a system that brought clients to her. But she also reveals why she chose to leave it all behind. From pricing mindset to proposal tips and her 2025 pivot strategy, this is an honest look at what growth really takes.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Afroditi, we pick up after her rocky first year and dive into how she built a stable, high-paying freelance business. She talks about growing from $15 projects to $70/hour clients, using Upwork to teach herself strategy, and why she ultimately chose to leave the platform.

Resources:
Afroditi's Upwork Profile
253: Tabitha’s First $1K Month (and Why She’s Quitting Her Day Job to Go All In on Freelancing)
256: From $15 to $100K: Afroditi’s Fashion Freelance Journey on Upwork (Part 1)

About Afroditi:
Afroditi is a fashion technical designer who earned $100K on Upwork while living in Greece. She now helps early-stage brands with tech packs and development—and is shifting her freelance business off-platform to gain more control.

Connect with Afroditi:
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

256: From $15 to $100K: Afroditi’s Fashion Freelance Journey on Upwork (Part 1)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What if your first freelance project paid just $15 and took a week to complete... would you keep going? In this first episode of our two-part series, I sit down in person with Afroditi, a Greek fashion freelancer who started on Upwork with no clients and no portfolio. She opens up about landing that first $15 sketch job, the fear and uncertainty she faced, and why Upwork felt safer than anything else.

Afroditi shares the raw, unfiltered truth of her first year freelancing: her strategies, the emotional toll of working without boundaries, and the surprising reasons she didn’t give up.

Listen to this powerful story of grit and growth, especially if you’re just starting out or need a reminder that every expert was once a beginner.

Resources:
Afroditi's Upwork Profile
253: Tabitha’s First $1K Month (and Why She’s Quitting Her Day Job to Go All In on Freelancing)

About Afroditi:
Afroditi is a fashion technical designer based in Athens, Greece. She transitioned from teaching cello to fashion, and after a tough start in the industry, she built her career on Upwork (eventually crossing $100K on the platform).

Connect with Afroditi:
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

255: From Laid Off to $75/Hour: How This Textile Designer Booked Her First Client Without a Portfolio

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Could you land a $75/hour freelance gig without even showing a portfolio? Sara Bleske did—and her story might just change the way you think about pitching.

After being laid off from her full-time design job, surface and textile designer Sara Bleske didn’t wait until everything was “ready.” Instead, she led with sincerity, curiosity, and a desire to be helpful—and ended up landing her dream client from a cold email (yes, really). In this episode, Sara opens up about the moment she hit “send,” the nerves that followed when she thought she got ghosted, and the surprising way it all came together.

You’ll hear how she navigated the leap into freelancing while juggling motherhood and self-doubt, and how she figured out her niche when her skills felt all over the place. From crafting thoughtful outreach messages to experimenting with social media and tools like ChatGPT, Sara shares the real, raw, and refreshingly simple strategies that helped her get started—and get paid.

If you’re new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to hear how genuine connection and a little courage can open big doors—even without a perfect portfolio.

Resources:
008: Freelance Textile Designer: How to Have A Successful Career with Michelle Fifis

About Sara:
Sara Bleske is a textile and surface pattern designer with over 15 years of in-house corporate experience in home textiles, decor, apparel, and craft ribbons/trims. She is passionate about creating patterns and surface designs that make people happy.

Connect with Sara:
Email her at sarablesketextiles@gmail.com

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Click here to join the last round of FAST!

254: How This Ex-Engineer Used a Super Specific Niche to Land $4K in Clients (With Zero Reviews)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

From Zero Reviews to $4K Clients: How Danielle Steman Broke Into Freelance Fashion With Just 8 Pitches

Ever wondered how to stand out on Upwork without a single rating, review, or testimonial? Danielle Steman did just that—and banked $4,000 from her first two freelance clients.

In this episode, you’ll meet Danielle, a former engineer from The Netherlands who left behind a stable tech career to carve out a bold new path in fashion. Specializing in made-to-measure and latex pattern making, she built a niche business from scratch—landing high-paying clients with just eight targeted pitches and zero experience on her profile.

You’ll hear how her technical background gave her an edge, how she uses mobile scanning and CAD to wow clients, and why saying no to non-niche work helped her grow faster. She also shares the mindset shifts that helped her go all-in, and the exact steps she took to start attracting international clients (hint: it’s simpler than you think!).

If you're new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to learn how confidence, clarity, and a super-specific niche can unlock your freelance fashion career.

About Danielle:
Danielle Steman is a freelance patternmaker for liberated brands committed to sustainable practices and inclusivity.

She specializes in designs that fit like a glove, focusing on made-to-measure and latex garments. A fashion tech aficionado, she thrives on technical challenges and is a strong advocate for Made to Measure and Made to Order as the future of fashion. Over the past two years, she has been deeply engaged in exploring the integration of 2D, 3D, and scanning technologies to craft perfectly fitting patterns at the touch of a button.

Connect with Danielle:
Visit her website: https://daniellesteman.nl/
Email her at info@daniellesteman.nl

Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

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253: Tabitha’s First $1K Month (and Why She’s Quitting Her Day Job to Go All In on Freelancing)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

No degree, no industry connections, no Illustrator skills—and still crushing it as a fashion freelancer! Tabitha Calvin proves you don’t need the "perfect" background to make it happen. Just a year ago, she was a Spanish teacher with a dream—and now she’s designing streetwear collections for clients, including a former NBA player!

In this episode, we get real about what it’s like to build a freelance fashion career from scratch. From teaching herself Illustrator to landing $2,500 streetwear clients through LinkedIn and Upwork, Tabitha’s story is packed with hustle, discipline, and major mindset shifts. We talk about hitting that first $1,000 month, dealing with tough client feedback, and the confidence it takes to own your worth as a freelance fashion designer. If you’ve ever doubted whether you can break into fashion without a degree, connections, or years of experience, this episode will leave you fired up to chase your freelance dreams.

If you're just getting started or ready to go all in on your freelance fashion career, click play now and see what’s possible when you bet on yourself.

About Tabitha:
Tabitha is a certified Spanish teacher and freelance fashion designer, finally living the dream she’s had since she was 8. After getting into her dream fashion school but unable to afford it, she studied Spanish instead—but fashion never left her heart. She tried the boutique life in college but realized she just wanted to design. Everything changed when she discovered FAST through Heidi’s YouTube channel and went all in. Now, she’s building a steady client base, growing her network of fellow designers, and working toward her ultimate goal: transitioning into full-time freelance fashion design.

Connect with Tabitha:
Email her at tatacalvin@gmail.com

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252: No Degree, No Experience: How this Freelancer from India Landed Her First Fashion Design Client at 4x the Rate

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Curious how a self-taught freelancer with zero fashion experience charged 4x the going rate—and landed the client anyway? Fathima’s story is the bold confidence boost you didn’t know you needed.

This episode follows Fathima Thasneem’s surprising entrance into the freelance fashion world, where a single LinkedIn message turned into a high-paying opportunity. With no degree and no prior design clients, she faced tough questions about her background—and didn’t flinch. Instead, she leaned into her worth, set bold boundaries, and delivered with confidence. You’ll hear how she used LinkedIn to find leads, why she priced higher than anyone expected, and how her honest, strategic approach paid off.

If you’re new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to hear how trusting your instincts and taking risks can lead to your first big client win.

About Fathima:
Fathima Thasneem is a freelance womenswear designer specializing in Young Contemporary fashion, with a passion for fun, playful, and feminine designs. She helps brands create standout collections that blend creativity with wearability, turning ideas into polished, production-ready visuals. Her streamlined approach refines concepts quickly and ensures a smooth transition into production. With precise fashion CADs and thoughtful detailing, she brings clarity to the design process, ensuring every piece aligns with the brand’s vision.

Connect with Fathima:
Email her at ft.thasneem@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

251: From $18/Day to $10K in Projects: Jolleen's Instagram Strategy for Freelance Success

Sew Heidi — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Learn the powerful mindset shift that took Jolleen from underpaid to unstoppable in fashion freelancing!

Tired of feeling stuck, underpaid, or invisible in the fashion world? Jolleen Gabriel’s story will seriously light a fire under you. She went from earning just $18 a day in the Philippines to making over $4,000 a month as a freelance fashion designer—working only 20 hours a week. No massive audience. No secret connections. Just a smart strategy, a mindset shift, and some intentional Instagram magic.

In this episode, Jolleen shares how she built a thriving niche in swimwear, turned Instagram into a client-generating machine (without needing a huge following), and overcame self-doubt to confidently charge her worth. Her journey is packed with practical insights and inspiring mindset shifts that any freelancer can learn from.

If you’re new to freelancing or have been at it a while, click play now to discover how to land better clients, build a business you’re proud of, and finally charge what you're worth.

Resources:
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)
Bonus: The $200K Reality Check: Why Starting a Fashion Brand Costs More Than You Think

About Jolleen:
Jolleen Gabriel is a swimwear designer who loves helping people bring their brand visions to life. For her, it's about more than just creating beautiful designs; it's about empowering entrepreneurs to launch successful swimwear lines. She guides her clients through every step, from sketching concepts and developing tech packs to finding the perfect manufacturer. Her goal is to make the process as smooth and supportive as possible, so her clients feel confident and excited about building their dream brands.

Connect with Jolleen:
Email her at jolleengabriel@gmail.com
Check out her website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Discover how Candice Stokes went from undervalued to unstoppable in freelance fashion design!

Ever felt stuck in a job where your skills weren’t fully appreciated? Candice Stokes knows that feeling all too well. She spent years questioning if she was “ready” to freelance—if her portfolio was strong enough, if brands would take her seriously. But when she finally took the leap, she landed a $4,100 client in her very first month. A few weeks later? Another $2,000 project. Now, she’s on track to leave her full-time job behind for good.

In this episode, Candice breaks down her exact strategies for pitching, pricing, and standing out as a freelance fashion designer. She shares how she used ChatGPT to craft proposals that actually work, why your portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect, and how an Instagram post unexpectedly led to a key connection in Thailand. Plus, she opens up about her passion for ethical fashion and building a business that aligns with her values.

If you’ve ever wondered if freelancing could really work for you, Candice’s story will challenge everything you thought about being “ready.” Click play now to hear how she made it happen—and how you can, too!

About Candice:

Candice Stokes is a technical fashion designer who transforms creative ideas into expertly crafted garments, thanks to her hands-on skills and years of sewing experience. She’s passionate about how clothes tell stories—both cultural and personal—and loves geeking out over why fabric matters as much as fit. Whether she’s sketching, sewing, or decoding a tricky pattern, Candice brings humor and heart to her work (and plenty of coffee).

Connect with Candice:
Email her at: hello@candicestokes.com
Visit her website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Bonus: The $200K Reality Check: Why Starting a Fashion Brand Costs More Than You Think

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Think you can launch a fashion line with a few thousand dollars? You might want to think again. In this eye-opening bonus episode, Rachel Erickson breaks down the real cost of building a successful fashion brand—and spoiler alert: it’s not cheap.

After crunching the numbers, Rachel discovered that $200,000 is the magic number to hit profitability by year three. But where does all that money actually go? She walks us through the financial roadmap, from inventory costs to hiring a team, and reveals why many brands run out of cash before they even get off the ground.

Beyond just the numbers, she also shares creative ways to fund your brand without drowning in debt . From freelancing to grants (and even unexpected funding strategies), she lays out real, practical solutions for making your dream brand a reality.

If you’ve ever thought about launching your own line or working with clients who are, this episode is a must-listen. Press play now to hear the real numbers and learn how to set yourself—or your clients—up for long-term success in the fashion industry!

Resources:
021: How to Get Funding for Your Fashion Startup

About Rachel:
After 20 years of working for corporate apparel brands across the U.S., Rachel took a leap of faith and launched her own business consulting company in October 2021. Now, through her company, Unmarked Street, she partners with a variety of apparel brands, offering expertise in development, production, project management, and industry insights. With a vast network of connections across the industry and a deep passion for teaching and sharing knowledge, Rachel is excited to share her insights and experiences with the community!

Connect with Rachel:
Email her at: hello@unmarkedstreet.com
Visit her website: Unmarked Street
Visit her website: The Business of Apparel
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn
Listen to her Podcast
Subscribe to her YouTube Channel

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

249: Landing a $12K Client at MAGIC: The Trade Show Networking Strategy That Worked

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

From Nervous to Thriving: Discover how Alina Sanchez-Lopez transformed trade show nerves into a $12,000 freelance triumph!

Ever walked into a trade show feeling completely out of place, unsure of how to approach potential clients? That was Alina—until a few key mindset shifts and strategic moves changed everything. A casual chat at Magic turned into a game-changing $12K project, reigniting her passion for design and proving that in-person networking can lead to massive freelance success.

In this episode, Alina pulls back the curtain on how she overcame the initial awkwardness, what she said to grab a brand’s attention, and the smart strategies that helped her stand out in a sea of fashion pros. She also shares how she navigated the leap from corporate burnout to freelance freedom, creating a career that gives her both flexibility and fulfillment. Whether you’re gearing up for your first trade show or looking to refine your networking skills, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply right away.

If you’re new to freelancing or have been at it for a while, click play now to learn how to confidently network at trade shows and turn conversations into paid design work!

About Alina:
Alina is a Freelance Designer & Consultant dedicated to helping small brands discover their unique identity, transform ideas into standout designs, and create fashion with purpose. Specializing in eco-conscious activewear and streetwear, she combines innovative design, technical expertise, and a passion for sustainability to bring bold ideas to life. Her mission is to empower clients to build impactful and distinctive fashion lines that inspire and resonate.

Connect with Alina:
Visit her website
Email her at: alina.sanlop94@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

248: The $3K Personalized Pitch: How Heidi Closed a Big Client in 6 Weeks

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Ever wondered how some freelance fashion designers land dream clients with just a simple email? In this episode, Heidi Herrman breaks down her secret sauce for securing a $3,000 project with a personalized pitch. From using ChatGPT to find niche brands to crafting an authentic, heartfelt message, she shares all the ins and outs of her process. You’ll be inspired by Heidi's genuine approach and her knack for turning a one-off gig into an ongoing client relationship.

But it doesn't stop there! Heidi dives deeper into setting the right rates, negotiating contracts, and building trust with clients. She talks about her experiences working with various brands, including a cool outdoor brand called Fayette Chill and a vibrant apparel company named Sky Goat. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting, this episode is packed with golden nuggets to help you grow your fashion business. Tune in to get the full scoop on how to win clients and create lasting connections in the fashion industry!

Resources:
228: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Built A MILLION Dollar Design Agency with Connie Bourgeois
232: Why This Freelance Fashion Designer Is Turning Down $120k+ Job Offers with Rachael Kranick

About Heidi:
Welcome to the creative world of Heidi Herrman, a visionary multi-media artist and seasoned fashion designer. With over two decades of experience in apparel design and development, Heidi has merged her passion for contemporary art and sustainable fashion into H² Design & Art. At H², She specializes in innovative textile, encaustic, and mixed media artwork, as well as forward-thinking, sustainable fashion solutions. With a focus on thoughtful design, sustainability, and product innovation, Heidi collaborates with companies and individuals who share a commitment to creating meaningful, impactful products and experiences.

Connect with Heidi:
Email her at heidiherrman@gmail.com
Check out her website
View her portfolio
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

247: Attracting Premium Clients on Upwork: How Carolyn Landed A $2700 Project (without pitching)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Ever wonder how some freelancers land big-ticket clients while others struggle to get responses?

Imagine setting up your Upwork profile in just half a day and scoring a $27,100 project just weeks later. Sounds unreal, right? That’s exactly what happened to Carolyn. In this episode, she breaks down the key moves that helped her attract premium clients—without years of trial and error.

Carolyn shares how she went from working with high-street brands in the UK and navigating the job market in Hong Kong to building a thriving freelance career in knitwear design. We dive into her approach to pricing projects, crafting pitches that actually get responses, and the simple tweaks she made to her Upwork profile to stand out in a sea of freelancers. Plus, she spills some insider tips on using Illustrator for knitwear design and how she landed repeat work with top clients.

If you're looking to boost your freelance income, attract high-quality clients, and learn real-world strategies from someone who’s been there, hit play now!

About Carolyn:
After studying Fashion Knitwear Design at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, Carolyn moved to Hong Kong for a one-year graduate trainee placement. More than 20 years later, she is still there. Initially, she worked for a small, family-owned knitwear manufacturer that supplied the UK and EU markets. Later, she transitioned to a large corporate sourcing office, just before the pandemic. In April 2024, Carolyn was made redundant but quickly adapted. She started FAST in May and began freelancing in July, securing her first project that same month. Her expertise lies in knitwear, with extensive experience in women's and men's wear, as well as some experience in children's wear. Ultimately, Carolyn chose to focus on womenswear as her niche.

Connect with Carolyn:
Email her at carolyn.chandler@gmail.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn
Connect on Upwork

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

246: The Pricing Strategy That Doubled Amy’s Freelance Income (without doubling her workload)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Ever feel like you’re undercharging for your freelance services? Amy Barnhart shares how a smart pricing shift and one game-changing service helped her nearly double her income in just one year.

In this episode, Amy Barnhart, a freelance fashion designer, reveals the strategic decisions that transformed her business, including raising her rates for tech packs and introducing a new print design service tailored to the men’s golf fashion niche. These moves not only boosted her revenue but also strengthened her client relationships and positioned her as an industry expert.

Amy also spills her secrets for running successful discovery calls that consistently convert leads into paying clients. Whether you’re trying to figure out when to raise your rates, how to expand your services, or ways to stand out in your niche, Amy’s insights are packed with actionable advice and real-world examples you can use right away.

If you’re ready to grow your freelance income, click play now to learn how Amy’s strategies can work for you!

Resources:
133: The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer with Amy Barnhart
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross) with Nikki Rausch

About Amy:
Amy helps men's golf startups transition from design to production, collaborating on creative designs while managing the intricate technical details, allowing them to focus on the bigger picture.

Connect with Amy:
Visit her website
Email her at: amy@amylynnsdesign.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

245: The Art of Soft Selling: How Gabriella 4x'd Her Rate Without Pitching

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Discover how Gabriella Bilotta transformed a heartfelt LinkedIn message into a six-figure client!

In this episode, Gabriella shares her journey of building genuine connections, landing high-paying clients, and transitioning to full-time freelancing. She dives into her background in lingerie and sustainability, the value of mentorship with her coach Alison, and the role personal branding played in her success.

Gabriella also unpacks her strategies for pricing, networking, and fostering meaningful client relationships. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your freelancing game, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a thriving career.

If you’re ready to learn how authentic connections and smart strategies can transform your freelancing journey, click play now and start building your dream career today!

About Gabriella:
Gabriella Bilotta is a freelance women’s tailoring and contour technical designer based in Toronto, Canada. Passionate about sustainable sourcing, she excels in creating innovative designs that balance style and ethics. After earning her degree in fashion design from Toronto Metropolitan University, she completed a master’s in sustainability at the London College of Fashion. Gabriella believes freelancing enables unique collaborations with talented professionals, driving remarkable advancements in fashion. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, she inspires others to embrace sustainability while pushing the boundaries of design.

Connect with Gabriella:
Email her at: gabriellabilotta.designs@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

My Top 10 Biz Challengs in 2024 (plus show updates for 2025)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite podcast?

In today's episode, I’m sharing some exciting updates for the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast in 2025 and reflecting on the challenges I faced in 2024. From business hurdles to personal struggles, I’ll dive into what I learned and how those lessons can help you navigate your own journey as we head into the new year.

Join me as I share the highs, lows, and everything in between, and let’s get ready for an amazing 2025!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

244: Sourcing Secrets: How to Find the Perfect Factory and Avoid Expensive Mistakes

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Walking into a tradeshow with no idea where to start can be intimidating!

As a freelancer, having a plan of action for the next fashion trade show you attend can make all the difference. In this episode, I talk live with Andreu David, the Vice President of Sourcing at MAGIC, to get insights from an industry expert on how to make the most of a trade show. Andreu covers everything from understanding market levels and price points to the importance of factory operations and the benefits of attending trade shows. Discover how AI and 3D technology are shaping the future of fashion, and learn about the critical emphasis on sustainability and ethical production practices. Andreu also offers invaluable advice for freelancers and entrepreneurs, highlighting the need for transparency, trust, and strategic networking in building successful industry relationships.

If you're in the fashion game, you can't afford to miss his insider tips on working with suppliers, the perks of attending trade shows, and the crucial role of AI and 3D tech in modern fashion.

About Andreu:
Andreu is the Vice President of SOURCING at MAGIC for Informa Markets Fashion, leading the largest sourcing trade show in North America. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, he also serves as CEO of Brand Design Architects, teaches at Otis College of Art and Design, and runs his own brand. A graduate of USC (Marketing) and Parsons (Fashion Design), Andreu began his career with a design apprenticeship at Hermès and has held senior roles at Double RL Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, and a New York startup brand.

Connect with Andreu:
Visit his website
Email him at: sourcing@fashionresource.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

243: $0 to $6500: How this Design Director Landed Big Clients in Her First Month Freelancing

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 12:16:12 -0500

Freelancing in fashion might seem risky, but what if it didn’t have to be? You could replace or even exceed your corporate salary in just one month.

In this episode, we will share how Aiden got noticed on Upwork, even without ratings. You’ll learn the negotiation tips that helped her turn a $2,000 offer into a $5,000 win. Aiden will also explain how she set up her profile so brands find and contact her, which means she doesn’t have to pitch herself anymore.

If you’re tired of the stressful corporate world or feel overlooked by junior designers in interviews, you will enjoy this episode.

Resources:
Check out Aidenn's Upwork profile here to learn more about their work and services!

About Aidenn:
Aidenn is an accomplished Fashion Designer with expertise in design, sourcing, and product development. She has led successful product launches, built strategic vendor partnerships, and excels in cost reduction, quality control, and team collaboration. By leveraging user experience insights and new technologies, Aidenn consistently delivers solutions that meet consumer needs, streamline operations, and drive revenue growth.

Connect with Aidenn:
Visit her website
Email her at: theuxfashiondesignagency@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

242: I Paid $10 for a Tech Pack—and You Won't Believe What Happened

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0500

How do you compete with low prices on Upwork? Is a bargain the only thing clients will look for?

I did an experiment and hired 5 freelancers at 5 different price points to see what you get for a tech pack at each level. The results are shocking and entertaining. Stick with me as I walk through the results, explaining why these low-priced options can lead to big problems for clients and why you shouldn't undervalue your own work. By the end, you'll see why quality tech packs are worth the investment and why it's okay to charge what you're worth.

Resources:
Watch the full video on YouTube: I Paid 5 Strangers on Upwork To Design a Sweater
Download my Tech Pack Template

Grab my Guide to Pricing your Freelance Services

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

241: Should You Have Set Package Rates as A Freelance Fashion Designer?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Starting with set package rates might feel tempting, but it’s like trying to sew a wedding dress on your first try—it’s better to start small and build up your skills.

In today's episode, I'll share a better strategy for finding your pricing sweet spot and how to handle those tricky conversations when clients think your rates are too high. We'll uncover the nuances of custom versus package pricing, how to gauge client reactions, and strategies to ensure your services demonstrate clear value and more.

Boost your confidence and revenue as a freelance fashion designer by hitting play to learn these strategies for pricing and communicating your value.

Resources:
How to Raise Your Freelance Rates in Fashion 💸 (with word for word scripts)
How Much Do Fashion Freelancers Charge? (100+ Real-Life Examples)
3 Ways to Calculate Your Freelance Rate for Fashion Designers

About Elexis:
Based in Atlanta, Elexis is a women’s contemporary designer blending innovation with timeless elegance. With experience at top brands like Milano Di Rouge, Dolls Kill, and J.Crew, she creates trendsetting pieces that empower women. Passionate about the creative process, she sees design as storytelling and problem-solving. When not designing, Elexis draws inspiration from Atlanta’s vibrant energy.

Connect with Elexis:
Visit her website
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

240: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Landed a $15k Project on LinkedIn

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Ever had a client respond with, "Wow, that's a bit steep"? If you’re charging you're worth, you’ve probably seen that reaction before. But there are some easy ways to help clients get on board with your deserved rates.

Take Alison Pickthorn, for instance. She’s a student in my hands-on coaching program, Fast Track Turbo, and she just landed a $15,000 client. She chats about maintaining fair pricing, understanding your value, and how crafting a compelling, client-specific proposal can make all the difference. This episode is all about finding fulfillment, mastering the freelancer hustle, and staying true to your worth!

Listen now to get inspired by Alison's proactive hustle, the incredible support from a coaching program, and the rewarding freedom of freelance life that reignited her passion for design.

Resources:
235: What If A Brand Says You’re Too Expensive? Here’s How You Still Get the Client

About Allison:
Allison is an apparel designer with over 20 years of experience designing kids, baby, and licensed apparel for large retailers. In early 2024, she decided to transition into freelancing to continue doing what she loves while leaving behind what she doesn't. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her amazing daughter and their two lazy cats.

Connect with Allison:
Visit her website
Email her at: allisonpickthorn@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

239: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 2

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:42:59 -0500

This is Part 2 of my interview with Jonathan Stark.

If you're pricing hourly, you're potentially leaving a lot of money on the table in your freelance fashion design biz.

In this episode, business coach Jonathan Stark talks about value-based pricing. He shares his journey from charging by the hour to adopting a pricing strategy focusing on what clients truly value. From aligning services with client revenue goals, to three-tier value pricing strategies, to becoming meaningfully different, get ready to uncover some key insights that could totally change the way you think about pricing and your relationships with clients.

If you're ready to shift your perspective on pricing and client engagement from transactional to transformational, get inspired by real-life examples, practical tips, and the psychological underpinnings that make value-based pricing a winning strategy, click play now and significantly increase your profits.

Resources:

Value Pricing Bootcamp, a free six-day email course to teach you how to make more money without working more hours.

Book: Value Based Fees by Alan Weiss

About Jonathan:
Jonathan Stark is a former software developer who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. He is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals.

Connect with Jonathan:
Visit his website
Email him at: jstark@jonathanstark.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

238: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 1

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0500

If you're pricing hourly, you're potentially leaving a lot of money on the table in your freelance fashion design biz.

Resources:

Value Pricing Bootcamp, a free six-day email course to teach you how to make more money without working more hours.

Book: Value Based Fees by Alan Weiss

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

237: How Her 'Viral' LinkedIn Post Turned Into An Amazing Freelance Client

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Can a LinkedIn post really transform your freelance fashion design career?

In today's episode, I talk with fashion designer Fernanda Martinelli about how one Linkedin post took off and helped land her a client! We discuss the strategies for leveraging a popular post and how to turn new leads into dream clients. Find out how she builds meaningful client relationships, leveraging tools like AI-generated images and detailed proposals.

Whether you're new to freelancing or have been around for a while, these social media strategies can make a huge difference in your client-finding strategies!

Resources:
Read Fernanda’s LinkedIn post that led to three discovery calls with brands and an amazing client.
Check out NewArc.ai. Please note that this is an affiliate link.

About Fernanda:
Fernanda, originally from Argentina, graduated with a Bachelor’s in Fashion and Textile Design from the University of Buenos Aires. Now based in Canada, she has worked as a Fashion Designer and Product Developer since 2019, specializing in men’s and women’s apparel, including workwear and outerwear. A lifelong art enthusiast, Fernanda explores new trends and techniques, blending creativity with functionality in her designs. She also completed a certification in Fashion and Sustainability Management at the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability, where she has served as a tutor.

Connect with Fernanda:
Visit her website
Email her at: fmmartinelli@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

236: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Broke Into A Brand New Category (after corporate burnout)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Are you scared of getting scammed from factories? Here are the red flags you should look out for.

Natalie is a corporate fashion designer turned freelance after some major burnout and the pandemic. In this episode, she talks about things like how she got her clients, some sourcing red flags to look out for, how she sets her prices, and so much more. Natalie's story shows how she bounced back and came up with fresh ideas, how she's making customized mini portfolios, and how she landed gigs through smart outreach.

This episode is packed full of inspiration for your freelance journey in fashion! Listen now to discover strategies for finding legitimate factories, avoiding scams, and pricing your freelance work confidently.

Resources:
Explore different examples of Natalie's mini portfolios
Download Natalie's project pricing calculator

About Natalie:
Since graduating from fashion school, Natalie always aspired to be a freelance designer. After spending over a decade climbing the corporate ladder in NYC and burning out during the pandemic, she transitioned into freelancing, building a diverse client base. In 2022, she left corporate and now works with brands like Classic Rock Couture and Snow Glow, while launching her own accessory line, Mary+Shelley. She also helps entrepreneurs grow their brands and teaches part-time at the Institute for Career Advancement.

Connect with Natalie:
Visit her website
Email her at: Natalie.L.Kraska@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

235: What If A Brand Says You're Too Expensive? Here's How You Still Get the Client

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

What do you do when the brand says you're too expensive but you know you're the right person for the gig?

That's exactly what one of my FAST Track Turbo students, Allison Pickthorn experienced! We worked out her pricing strategy and with some savvy negotiation, she landed a $15,000 project! We break down all the strategies and mindset shifts that eventually got her the project, her experience with client negotiations, and the surprising twist involving an Indian manufacturer and a retailer right in her own backyard.

Allison also shares her thoughts on why it's crucial to stand firm on your worth and how to put together portfolio teasers that can tip the scales in your favor. Whether you're curious about freelance pricing, dealing with international clients, or just love a good success story, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the small yet significant steps that make a big difference in landing high-ticket projects.

About Allison:
Allison is an apparel designer with over 20 years of experience designing kids, baby, and licensed apparel for large retailers. In early 2024, she decided to transition into freelancing to continue doing what she loves while leaving behind what she doesn't. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her amazing daughter and their two lazy cats.

Connect with Allison:
Visit her website
Email her at: allisonpickthorn@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

234: How She Started A Fashion Design Agency (in 2 years)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

How do you go from fashion freelancer to owning a design agency?

We're breaking it down in today's episode with guest Lindsay Kondel who did exactly that! In our chat, she shares her journey, from starting out as a head designer at an activewear label to leveraging Instagram and networking to build her agency. Also find out why collaboration trumps competition, especially in the dynamic world of fashion design. Whether you're a freelancer or an agency owner, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world experiences to help you elevate your fashion business.

Resources:
117: How to Quit Your Full Time Fashion Job and Start Freelancing
Check out the Instagram of Streetwear of Roses!

About Lindsay:
Lindsay Kondel is the cofounder of Stacked, a full-service fashion design agency. Stacked helps create killer fashion brands, working with both emerging and established labels. The agency bridges the gap between creative vision and commercial outcome through "stackable" services, allowing clients to cherry-pick based on their individual needs.

Connect with Lindsay:
Visit her website
Email her at: info@stacked-studio.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

233: Are You A Freelancer Or An Entrepreneur? Why Your Mindset Matters More Than You Think

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

What if you could break the feast or famine freelance cycle with one simple mindset shift?

I talked with Kyle Kushner, a coach for freelance and entrepreneurial creatives, and we had some very interesting discussions around this topic and much more.

Kyle opens up about overcoming self-doubt and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. He talks about how to promote ourselves, boost confidence, and form genuine, non-transactional connections on LinkedIn. And you gotta hear Kyle's awesome journey from feeling nervous and undercharging to doubling his rates and locking in an eight-year business partnership. The episode also dives into killer strategies for proactive networking and the game-changing power of shifting your mindset.

Ready to transform your professional presence and skyrocket your freelance career? Listen now to start optimizing your client-finding strategies.

Resources:
Listen to Podcast Episode 166 with Aashika: This Fashion Freelancer Changed ONE Thing On LinkedIn and Got More Clients
Check out Justin Welsh's course on how to grow and monetize LinkedIn. Please note that this is an affiliate link.

About Kyle:
Kyle is a professional graphic designer with 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, including 21 years as a freelancer. He is currently a certified professional coach who assists the careers of other freelance creatives. Kyle shows them how to transition from traditional freelancers to successful entrepreneurs.

Connect with Kyle:
Visit his website
Email him at: kyle@kylekushner.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

232: Why This Freelance Fashion Designer Is Turning Down $120k+ Job Offers

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Curious about turning freelancing into a stable career?

It's possible with the help of these secrets on pricing, Upwork strategies, and LinkedIn hacks with today's guest, Rachel Kranick. She shares real talk on ghosted clients, work-life balance, and leveraging her previous experience. Plus, get tips on staying financially savvy and embracing the freedom of freelancing. Don’t miss this inspiring career pivot story!

Whether you're wondering if making the leap into freelancing is possible, or a seasoned freelancer, this episode is filled with gold nuggets of strategies that can have a big impact on your career. You'll definitely want to listen to this one!

Resources:
Read the LinkedIn post about Rachael's Hawaii trips and freelance journey.

Listen to the strategy session I had with Rachael in 2023.

About Rachael:
Rachael is a senior activewear designer with over 12 years of experience, working with brands like Nike, Travis Mathew, and MonoB.

An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and dragon boat racing, and is passionate about helping women and marginalized groups connect with nature.

Rachael loves partnering with small brands to provide creative support and ensure their products are trend-right, functional, and resonate with their audience. Through strategic design, she helps create best-selling products that increase sales and build customer loyalty.

Connect with Rachael:
Email her at: design@rachaelkranick.com
Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

231: How to Get Work from Old Coworkers (without being annoying)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

What if getting new projects was as easy as sending a quick catch-up message?

You've got a hidden goldmine in your network, and today we talk about how to tap into those connections without feeling awkward or annoying. This clip is from a strategy session with one of my FAST students, Daniella Kahle, where we talk about the simple strategies you can use to reconnect with old industry connections.

We give some real-life examples of how reconnecting pays off, sometimes in unexpected ways. From dusting off old LinkedIn connections to sending casual text messages, it's all about human-to-human rapport. Imagine getting project referrals just from catching up! Plus, find out why big brands and niche markets both offer potential freelance gigs. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, you won't want to miss these insider tips.

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

230: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 2)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Today we're flipping the script and interviewing the host, Heidi - part 2!

One of our FAST students approached with the idea of interviewing Heidi and they talk about naysayers, email etiquette, and the hurdles of scaling a business. We tackled the reality of failures and why resilience is key. We also shared candid stories about hiring struggles and overcoming confidence issues, especially when it comes to pricing. Remember, the right support system can push you beyond your limits.

Resources:
Part 1: 229: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 1)
SFD100 To Reach Your Goals in Fashion (and Life), Just Do ANYTHING

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

229: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 1)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Today we're flipping the script and interviewing the host, Heidi!

One of our FAST students approached with the idea of interviewing Heidi. We talk about the highs and lows of running an online business, from epic launch events to the emotional rollercoasters that come with it. You'll hear about my transition from freelancing to a successful online business, the impact of therapy, and the crucial support systems that made it all possible.

Plus, there's a juicy insider tip on the art of interviewing—think curiosity over scripted questions. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your own dreams. 💪

Resources:
SFD100 To Reach Your Goals in Fashion (and Life), Just Do ANYTHING

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

228: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Built A MILLION Dollar Design Agency

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

If you want to scale your freelance fashion design business, there are three strategies you need to know.

Everyone's path can look different but Connie Bourgeois turned her side-gig freelance biz into a million-dollar agency in four short years. With the right strategies and hard work, you can grow your fashion design business, too. And if it all seems too good to be true, don't worry, because we are also diving into some of the cold hard truths that are the realities of growing a business.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is packed with client-finding strategies you can put to use today! Hit play and kick-start your freelance growth.

Resources:
SFF147: "I turned my side hustle into my full-time hustle."

About Connie:
Connie Bourgeois founded Conjetta Designs to support designers and entrepreneurs by making their apparel dreams a reality! By sharing her extensive knowledge of design, development, sourcing, logistics, merchandising, and brand building, with both her team and her clients, Connie fosters an environment of collaboration, innovation and growth, allowing her clients to focus on growing their business instead.

Connect with Connie:
Visit her website: www.conjettadesigns.com
Email at: connie@conjettadesigns.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

227: How to Get Freelance Clients from A Factory

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Building relationships even when you don't need that connection immediately is super important for your freelance career.

There are easy strategies to start building relationships with factories or suppliers before you need to work with them. Not only will this help you be prepared, but that factory could also send clients to you. We have several students in FAST who get clients from factories. In this episode, you'll get to hear a clip from a strategy session I had with Marco who recently went to a trade show and made some connections with factories.

We go over some solid strategies for building relationships without directly asking for work. Following strategically, mastering the back door brag, and customizing your communication are essential tactics to create lasting impressions and open doors to new opportunities.

Resources:
Freelancing Strategies for Fashion Designers with Marissa Borelli

About Marco:
Marco's passion for sneakers and fashion grew from his involvement in club soccer and athletics. He obtained a Diploma in Fashion Design in Vancouver and has expertise in Product Development & Technical Design. Currently transitioning into freelance work, he aims to focus on Outerwear & Technical Apparel / Accessories. With a keen eye for detail, he is dedicated to expanding his knowledge and mastering various aspects of the industry. Additionally, he holds qualifications in Footwear Design from FIT and is currently learning 3D Design.

Connect with Marco:
Visit their Website

Email at: marco@marcofbruni.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

226: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Landed 140 Style Project on UpWork

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

With the right foundation and strategies, you can find massive projects on Upwork!

No, really. Upwork may have its cons (just like any freelancing platform), but today I'm talking with Katrina Martin who made the transition from corporate to freelancing and landed an amazing gig from Upwork. We're talking a massive 140-style project! Not only did she land the gig, she also negotiated a price that was higher than the set budget!

Knowing the right strategies to stand out in a saturated market, network effectively, negotiate pay, and step out of your comfort zone can help you regain creative freedom. Whether you're new to fashion freelancing or a seasoned freelancer, this episode is full of golden nuggets to help you utilize the right strategies in your toolbox.

About Katrina:
Katrina is a women's wear designer, trend connoisseur, and Adobe Illustrator guru specializing in woven and knit tops. She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Her journey in the fashion industry has taken her to Los Angeles, New York, and back again, accumulating over 12 years of experience. Aside from fashion, she loves to paint, work out, and cuddle with her two chocolate labs.

Connect with Katrina:
Visit their website

Email at: katrinamartin127@gmail.com

Connect on Linkedin

Resources:
Katrina's Flat Sketches

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

225: How to Make More Money As A Freelance Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Pricing pitfalls are some of the easiest to fall into when it comes to freelancing in fashion.

Are you pricing your freelance fashion design services right? There's a lot to consider like whether you should price hourly or value-based, or how to handle scope creep. And don't worry, everyone messes up their pricing at least once! This episode breaks down pricing psychology so you will know how to manage client expectations, wrangle projects effectively, and understand why your experience is worth more than just time

Whether you've been in the freelance game a while or just getting started, you'll want to listen to this episode to make sure you know how to make every minute and every skill count!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

224: Panic Attacks & Imposter Syndrome: How this Freelance Fashion Designer is Coping

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Ever feel like fate has a crazy twist in store for you?

Courtney Osborn sure did, especially when she got fired the same day she signed up for a webinar about freelancing. Delving into her journey from a toxic corporate job to launching her own fashion freelancing business, Courtney shares how she battled through emotional abuse, HR letdowns, and panic attacks. Amidst initial challenges and imposter syndrome, she’s found validation in every paid invoice and learned to celebrate those small wins that keep her going.

About Courtney:
Courtney Osborn is a Freelance Designer based in New Jersey. She studied fashion at the University of Cincinnati school of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), focusing on Product Development and Marketing. The internship requirements at DAAP set her up with real world experience designing for department stores Kohl’s and Bonton, and brands like Fossil and Garanimals. She spent 12 years in the corporate retail sphere before transitioning to freelancing full-time in 2023.

Connect with Courtney:
Visit her Website: courtneyosborn.com

Email at: courtney@courtneyosborn.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

223: How this Freelance Patternmaker Quickly Landed 3 New Clients

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Networking is thrown around a lot in the freelance world. But how important is it really?

The truth is, if you want more fashion freelance clients, it's ultimately a relationship game. And that is exactly how Ana Guerrero quickly got 3 new clients. They were all from industry connections, specifically from other freelancers she had built relationships with. In this episode, Ana shares how she refined her niche, transitioned from hourly to project-based pricing, and found more clients. She has done all of this, and we talk about the strategy behind it.

If you want to get more clients, learn strategies for effective networking, and the importance of customer research, hit play now!

About Ana:
After earning her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art (not Fashion! LOL) from the University of California Santa Cruz, Ana started taking fashion classes at various community colleges. She landed a design internship for a contemporary women's clothing brand in 2010, which marked the beginning of her journey in the fashion industry. In 2019, she launched her freelance patternmaking business, Stitches and Sketches Patternmaking, which has been thriving ever since. When she's not working, she enjoys attending concerts, dyeing her hair fun colors, and cuddling with her cats.

Connect with Ana:
Email at: ana.sspatternmaking@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

Resources:
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

222: Q&A What to Do When Projects Take More Time Than You Bid

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Is scope creep devouring your profits and your freelance pricing sabotaging your success?

Even seasoned freelance fashion designers can struggle with project-based pricing! Experience doesn't make you immune to scope creep and pricing pitfalls.

Let's dig into the challenges of project-based pricing and how to ensure your projects don’t go over scope. My guest, Connie Bourgeois, is a seasoned fashion freelancer turned agency owner. We talk about strategies for setting the right price, the importance of a thorough discovery process, and handling those unexpected changes. If you want to optimize your freelance business, craft bulletproof proposals, and get paid what you're worth, hit play now!

About Connie:
Connie Bourgeois founded Conjetta Designs with the purpose of supporting designers and entrepreneurs by making their apparel dreams a reality! By sharing her extensive knowledge of design, development, sourcing, logistics, merchandising, and brand building, with both her team and her clients, Connie fosters an environment of collaboration, innovation and growth, allowing her clients to focus on growng their business instead.

Connect with Connie:
Visit her website: www.conjettadesigns.com

Email at: connie@conjettadesigns.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

221: Why This Fashion Designer Said Buh-Bye to Corporate and Went All In on Freelancing

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

There's one door to a corporate fashion job, but freelancing has countless doors waiting for you! But making the switch can leave you with lots of questions.

Like, when is it time to decide to switch? How do you keep from giving up? Why it's time to go all-in on freelancing? What benefits are there to being on the struggle bus?

Whether you're new to freelancing in fashion or have been doing it for years, you may find yourself asking similar questions. Our guest today, Marco Bruni, shares his journey of struggles, finding freedom, and making difficult decisions. His inspiring story is relatable and packed with valuable lessons to help you along your own freelancing journey!

Connect with Marco:
Visit their Website

Email at: marco@marcofbruni.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

220: How this Mom Built Her Freelance Fashion Design Business (through major rejection and shame)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Ever been caught in one of those vicious circles that looks a little bit like this: need a job to get money, but need time for a job, but need money to have time?

If you're a parent who's trying to freelance, you may have found yourself in this exact struggle. Jacqueline is a mother and needed daycare to allow her the time she needed to devote to her job, but she needed a job to pay for daycare and have time. In this episode, we talk about the strategies this mother used to kickstart her freelancing career and find the perfect work-life balance she was craving.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fashion, freelancing, or just looking for a booster shot of perseverance and motivation.

Connect with Jacqueline:
Email at: connect@jacquelinediane.com

Visit her Website

Follow on Instagram

Connect on LinkedIn

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

219: Do You Need an LLC to Be A Freelance Fashion Designer?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Taxes aren't fun but paying more taxes than you need is even worse!

Choosing the right structure can have a significant impact on your taxes and personal liability. This episode breaks down the essentials of choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, and S Corp so you can be confident in setting up your freelance business. Discover how the right business entity can save you money on taxes and protect your personal assets, all while making the setup process as painless as possible.

If the legal stuff sounds scary and is holding you back from diving in, hit play now (and throw that excuse out the window)!

Resources:
Do I Need an LLC to Freelance Blog Post

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

218: Is A Factory Legit? Vetting Tips for Freelance Fashion Designers

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

How can you tell if a factory is legit?

There are easy strategies you can use to vet factories in the fashion industry. In this strategy session clip, Deb Barraza and I share personal experiences and brainstorm ideas to make the process feel less daunting and more manageable. Learn how to use targeted, open-ended questions that reveal the true nature of a factory's operations beyond the sales pitch. Because let's be honest, a good salesman can give you smoke and mirrors all day long.

Hit play now to avoid factory nightmares for you and your freelance fashion clients!

About Deb Barraza:
Deb is a product Development Consultant helping small and growing jewelry brands bring in their collections as envisioned and on time.

Resources:
SFF156: Jay Arbetman How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

217: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Doubled Her Rates

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Get the eviction notice ready for the imposter syndrome that's moved in!

Imposter syndrome is something so many freelance fashion designers struggle with in their careers. Amanda Thome was one of them but figured out how to kick it to the curb and double her rates...with an existing client! We talk about the importance of a supportive community, her struggle with imposter syndrome, and her motivation after sending her biggest invoice yet!

If you wanna increase your rates or you just need a big old confidence boost that you can do this freelancing thing, you're gonna love this episode.

Resources:
Toggl Time Tracker
143: From $100 to $3k/month...And Then I Realized I Was Permalancing...
201: You DON'T Need Another Time Management Tool: The REAL Reason You're Procrastinating
NewArc.ai - Click here for 50% off your first month (aff)

About Amanda:

Amanda Thomé is a knitwear designer based in Brooklyn, NY. She studied fashion design at FIT and specialized in knitwear during her master's in the UK. She began freelancing with small brands in Paris and is now based in NYC, working with brands like Goldie LeWinter, Fang NYC, and Ellis Littles. Her designs are influenced by her multicultural upbringing, resulting in a style that's youthful, experimental, and emotionally driven.

Connect with Amanda:

Visit her website

Email at: contact@thomestudio.com

Follow on Instagram @thome_studio

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

216: What 3D Fashion Design Software Is the Best? With Sylwia Szymczyk

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered why some fashion brands are slow to adopt 3D software?

My guest, Sylwia breaks it down, sharing real-world challenges and successes, like delivering the perfect collection to an Australian client in real-time. She also stresses the need for optimization and understanding polygons to make 3D design cost-effective and efficient. Whether you're a freelancer or part of a small team, learning these skills can set you apart in the competitive fashion landscape. Tune in and get inspired to take your fashion design game to the next level!

About Sylwia Szymczyk:

A dynamic and passionate 3D Fashion technology expert and keynote speaker from Timberland, a VF company, who simplifies and teaches complex technological concepts in fashion innovation. Her presentations share a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and build desire to create change in fashion.

Sylwia started her career in the traditional fashion value chain (pattern making and garment development) and has been working on seamlessly integrating technology into the fashion industry. She is quickly becoming a go-to source for fashion innovation.

She has 15+ years of experience working with major fashion powerhouses like Armani, Max Mara Fashion Group and VF corporation.

Sylwia is passionate about driving innovation in fashion through harnessing the power of people, collaborations and partnerships.

Connect with Sylwia:

Email at: silvia.szymczyk@gmail.com

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylwiaszymczyk/

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

215: What Is A Freelance Fashion Consultant?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

What exactly is a fashion consultant? How is it different from a freelance fashion designer?

Find out in this episode as I break down the differences, similarities, and offer some insight into being a freelance fashion consultant. From networking tips to the importance of industry connections, this episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to carve out a niche in the fashion consultancy realm.

If you've been considering a shift towards consulting or want to enhance your freelance services with strategic guidance, this episode is a must-listen.

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

214: How CLO3D "Saved" This Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Are unsustainable practices in the fashion industry leaving you fed up and ready to jump ship? You're not alone but leaving the industry isn't the only option!

A talented fashion designer, Jade Wei, felt the same way in her fashion career. Feeling stuck in traditional, wasteful practices, Jade embraced new technology, starting with Adobe Illustrator and eventually mastering CLO 3D. This journey reignited her passion, showing how stepping out of your comfort zone and adopting innovative tools can lead to more sustainable and exciting opportunities in the industry.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck or resistant to the evolving technologies in fashion design. Jade’s story offers hope, practical advice, and a renewed sense of purpose that can energize your own fashion design journey.

About Jade Wei:
Jade is a freelance designer based in London, specializing in 3D pattern-making, garment and product development for brands with similar creative ethos. Born in Taiwan, she moved to the UK at 18 to pursue a career in fashion. With 17+ years of experience in the industry, she has worked for luxury brands including Alexander McQueen, Theory, and ClothSurgeon.

She also designs for independent designers and launched her own brand, ATELIER WCMF. Recently, she has been merging the digital and physical fashion worlds using emerging technology to create advanced technical services for fashion brands.

Connect with Jade:

Visit their website

Email at: j.w@atelier-wcmf.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

213: How This Freelancer Built a Fashion Merchandising Agency

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade...but what about when life gives you a job loss? Or even a pandemic?

Is it even possible to turn a job loss (especially during the pandemic) into a thriving startup in the fashion industry? Yep! My guest, Krystal Lewis, shares exactly how she turned her personal and professional challenges into launching her own fashion business. It's a raw look at the ups and downs of becoming your own boss in a tough industry.

As a fashion designer, there's always going to be curveballs thrown your way. Listen to this episode to learn key lessons for taking what life throws at you and creating a successful and thriving fashion business!

About Krystal:

Black Unicorn Merchandising is a boutique apparel design company specializing in custom design, ethical sourcing and low minimum manufacturing. We are a highly dynamic team of fashion connoisseurs, steadfastly committed to delivering top-tier garments that epitomize your brand's visionary essence. Our comprehensive approach spans the entire design process, from conceptualization and artistic sketching to intricate pattern making, meticulous prototyping, and seamless production.

Whether you represent a startup brand in need of a lot of guidance or an esteemed label seeking to ease the workload, rest assured that our unwavering dedication and unrivaled passion will bring your apparel ideas to life.

Connect with Krystal:

Visit their website

Email at: contactus@blackunicornmerch.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Subscribe on Youtube

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

212: How She 3x'd Her Freelance Income with LinkedIn

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Need More Clients? Learn how to use LinkedIn to create endless opportunities and grow your freelance fashion design business!

We're not just talking theory; my guest, Emily Court, is living proof that the right strategies on LinkedIn can lead to tangible success. Learn how she transformed her online interactions into a thriving career, tripling her income in less than a year.

Plus, get a peek into how regular yet thoughtful engagements and high-quality content can draw the right crowd to your profile. It can be a magnet for fashion design clients!

If you've ever wondered how to turn LinkedIn connections into lucrative opportunities, or how to use your online presence to reflect your professional brand, this episode’s got you covered!

About Emily:
Emily is a senior copywriter based in Vancouver, BC. When she's not working with mammoth brands to refine their digital content, she spends her time helping freelancers flourish, and empowering coaches and thought leaders to rock LinkedIn.

Connect with Emily:
Visit their website: www.emilycourt.ca
Email at: emilycourt@live.com
Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-court-422b2ba4/

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

211: The Best Freelance Sites for Fashion Designers

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Don't waste your time on freelancing platforms that are known for cheap pay and demanding clients. But how do you know which freelancing platforms to look out for?

After surveying over 500 fashion designers who are students in my Freelance Accelerator program, I've compiled real data so you can feel confident. Even though many of these students have found success, you still have to be wary of bad job postings.

I break down why this platform stands out despite any pitfalls, what to watch out for with cheap and demanding clients, and how to tailor your profile to attract serious fashion brands. Whether you're brand new to freelancing or looking to improve your current game, hit play so you know how to navigate the freelance job postings, create a standout profile, and write proposals that get you hired.

Resources:
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/upwork-proposal-for-fashion-designers/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/sff172-how-this-freelance-fashion-designer-landed-a-10k-project-on-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-freelancer-first-project-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-fashion-textile-designer-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/how-to-get-freelance-fashion-design-jobs-on-upwork/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-patternmaker-upwork-profile/
https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-portfolio/

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

210: Q&A What to Do When a Client Asks for More Revisions

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Saying 'Yes' to be a more desirable fashion freelancer is the quickest path to getting caught in a scope creep nightmare.

There's an important balance of being available but also having boundaries. Andressa, my guest in this episode, and I talk about constructing firm proposals and how to handle the awkward dance of revising costs mid-project. By the end of this strategy-packed session, you'll be armed with actionable advice on how to avoid scope creep and feeling obligated to take on too many revisions.

Stop leaving money on the table and listen to these valuable strategies.

About Andressa:
Andressa is a fashion and textile designer with over a decade of experience in kidswear! She's an expert in developing seasonal collections, from initial concepts to final products. Whether you're a startup or a mid-sized brand, she can assist you with various aspects of product development, including creating mood concepts, sourcing materials, creating flat drawings, and preparing accurate tech packs suitable for manufacturing. Let her take care of the nitty-gritty, so you can focus on what you do best!

Connect with Andressa:
Email her at dressaiop@gmail.com
Follow in Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

209: From £4k to £12k A Month: How this Freelance Footwear Trend Consultant Did it!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Success can be temporary. It can dry up if you're not prepared. There one day and *POOF* gone the next.

That's exactly what happened to my guest in today's episode, Louise Ryan, a freelance footwear trend consultant. She had a stable freelance income for a while but eventually, it dried up leaving her looking for answers. She turned to my flagship program FAST and shares how she redesigned her freelance fashion career and essentially tripled her income. Even with all the strategies at her fingertips though, there's still room for disappointment and rejection.

If you've ever felt like your success is drying up or you feel like throwing in the towel because of the rejection you get, you'll want to listen to this episode as Louise and I talk about the high highs and low lows of freelancing in fashion and how not giving up pays off. Learn how having the right strategies in your arsenal can protect you from withering away from an unstable income and a dried-up network.

About Louise:

She is an exceptional creative thinker, designer, and trend forecaster who is passionate about the footwear industry. Her drive to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and fully comprehend the entire process of footwear design and development is truly inspiring. By collaborating with global trend agencies, brands, and factories, she can provide valuable insights that will shape the future of this dynamic industry. future of this dynamic industry.

Connect with Louise:

Visit their website: www.larcreative.com

Email at: louise@larcreative.com

Follow on Instagram LAR_CREATIVE

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseryanfashion/

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

208: The REAL Truth About Being a Freelance Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Is freelancing in fashion actually as good as it sounds? From the promises of freedom to the ideas of total flexibility, it can be easy to get swept up in the "dream".

There's a lot of positives when it comes to freelancing, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to put in hard work to achieve your freelancing dreams. In this episode, Kate Knight opens up to share some amazing wins but also gives a realistic perspective of the ups and downs in freelancing. We also talk about pricing which is always a hot topic that I get tons of questions about.

Tune in to find out what the REAL truth about being a freelance fashion designer is like. You won't want to miss a big win that Kate shares at the end because she started charging for something that she used to give away for free.

About Kate:

Kate Knight is a knitwear designer who specializes in creating recycled and sustainable cashmere and cashmere blends. She has previously lived and worked in New York City, London, and the Swiss Alps, but currently resides just outside of Bordeaux, France. Throughout her career, Kate has designed knitwear for well-known brands such as Nordstrom, The White Company, Lands' End, Barney's, and Whistles. She has also taught knitting to individuals across all age groups, including 7-year-olds, PhD students, and industry professionals. Kate is passionate about building connections with factories, yarn agents, brands, fellow freelancers, and designers.

Connect with Kate:

Visit her website: http://www.thecashmeredesigner.com/

Email at: kate@thecashmeredesigner.com

Follow on Instagram @thecashmeredesigner

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-knight-7a05174/

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
SFD096 Q&A: How to Become a Fashion freelancer with Heidi & Marissa
197 How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

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207: 3 Ways to Calculate Your Freelance Rates for Fashion Designers

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Are you struggling to figure out your fashion design freelance rate? Do you find it challenging to determine how much to charge for your fashion design services?

That's because no one openly wants to talk about rates or money. In this episode, I break that silence in the industry by sharing real-life strategies that I've used in my own career and examples from real successful fashion freelancers for setting rates. If charging hourly, by day, or per project has you scratching your head, push play now to find out how to charge your worth and avoid common pitfalls in pricing.

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206: How Do You Offer Sourcing As A Fashion Freelancer?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Sourcing in your freelance fashion career is a lot like matchmaking! You want to make good connections that align well with your client's brand. You can build a great career by thinking strategically and approaching sourcing with care.

Once you identify that sourcing isn't just about finding products or services; it's about creating valuable connections and delivering exceptional results, you can strategically start setting your clients up for success.

Get ready for insights and practical tips on navigating the sourcing process, set transparent expectations with clients, and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure the best possible outcomes. You'll gain a deep understanding of the strategic and relational elements involved in successful sourcing, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the fashion world.

Resources:
SFF156: Jay Arbetman How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

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205: How to Become a Fashion Virtual Assistant (VA)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

If you're new to the fashion industry or unsure of your skills but want to start as a freelancer, you may consider being a fashion virtual assistant (VA) and earning while you learn. Find out how you can transform your soft skills into hard cash.

You don't need to be a super tech genius to work as a virtual assistant in the fashion industry; basic tech skills and a willingness to learn as you go are enough to get started. Tons of business owners are bogged down with tasks they can do, but do not have the time for. The VA industry isn't just about ticking off tasks. It *thrives* on soft skills like organization, a knack for creativity, and, oh yes, being a little tech-savvy!

So if you have what it takes, you can thrive as a fashion virtual assistant and start earning while you develop your fashion design skills.

About Aubree:
Aubree Malick is a boy mom, former teacher, virtual assistant coach, and host of the Freelancer to CEO podcast. Through her podcast and programs, she helps overworked and underpaid moms and (soon-to-be former) teachers experience the freedom and joy that comes from designing a freelancing business with the skills they already have. After taking her own leap of faith four years ago and replacing her teaching income within two months, she became passionate about helping other women start and grow their own businesses to 5K+ months from home and has been featured in Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance.

Connect with Aubree:
Visit their website: aubreemalick.com

Email at: hello@aubreemalick.com

Follow on Instagram

Listen to Aubree's Podcast Freelancer to the CEO

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204: How This Freelance Fashion Designer from India Landed a Gig with WGSN

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers learn on their freelancing journey. It's all too easy to listen to self-doubt and let imposter syndrome creep in which ultimately will lead to resentment, burnout, or missing out on huge opportunities. So how can you land freelance gigs from big names while overcoming challenges such as low self-esteem and even geographical constraints?

It's easier than you may think! Our guest, Harshini, is a fashion designer who landed a job with WGSN despite their minimal presence in India and lack of a head office in her home country. She has also faced familiar mindset issues that can hold us back, which led her to low-paying clients and work she grew to hate. In this podcast episode, you can listen to the strategies she implemented to change the trajectory of her career which enabled her to outsource work, increase her rates, and secure higher-paying projects. You will also learn about the challenges and triumphs Harshini faced as she navigated motherhood, low self-esteem, and learning her worth in a competitive industry.

About Harshini:
Harshini is a womenswear designer and trend consultant with 7 years of industry experience. She's worked with big names like Zara, French Connection UK, Yamaha, and WGSN. With a postgraduate degree from the London College of Fashion, she enjoys creating cool casual wear for women, especially in the resort wear niche.

Offering everything from initial concepts to pre-production, Harshini's helping small to mid-sized women's resort wear brands thrive. With her sharp eye for style and a knack for understanding what people want, she's making brands stand out and connect with their audiences effortlessly.

Connect with Harshini:

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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203: How to Make Consistent Income as a Freelance Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Let's talk about two easy but often overlooked strategies to avoid the freelancing roller coaster of making $3,000 1 month and a $100 the next, and you're left wondering where your next fashion design is project coming from.

By implementing these practical strategies in this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid, you'll position yourself as the kind of freelancer that brands want to hire again and again, ultimately leading to more referrals and ongoing projects.

So, if you're ready to start earning consistent income as a freelance fashion designer, hit play and start putting these strategies into action today.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast Episode with Hillary Glenn - How to Build Your Career as a Contract Fashion Designer (and work from home)

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202: How to Build Your Freelance Career on LinkedIn While Learning CLO 3D

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Want to kickstart your freelance career while learning a new industry skill, like Clo3D?

In this Fashion Designers Get Paid episode, we hear a clip from a strategy session with fashion designer Sharon Hay, who's breaking into fashion from the tech industry and learning Clo3D. So, how can you build your network and line up clients while still learning?

It's not about waiting until you're an expert before putting yourself out there. Instead, it's about engaging and sharing what you're working on, starting authentic conversations, and connecting with brands who may need your services down the line.

Tune in as we talk about specific strategies to pull this off (and it works for any fashion design niche). By building a strong network, sharing your learning process, and engaging with others in your industry, you can confidently secure trial projects to refine your skills. So, go ahead and put yourself out there and make meaningful connections!

Mentioned in this Episode:
If you're going to do LinkedIn, I literally think you'd be CRAZY not to take this course. Full disclaimer, it's an affiliate link, but I would recommend it 100000% either way: https://learn.justinwelsh.me/a/2147505019/Vq8CxAWV

About Sharon Hay:
Sharon has been working as a professional digital design and UX project manager for 15 years, and has worked with some of the top tech firms and retailers in Silicon Valley! However, she's always been passionate about both technology and fashion. That's why she decided to follow her heart and redirect her career to a path that truly fuels her passion while promoting sustainability. She became a Clo3D master, specializing in providing virtual fashion design solutions, utilizing her past fashion experience.

Connect with Sharon:

Visit their website: www.retailbrandlab.com

Email at: sharonhay@me.com

Connect on Linkedin

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201: You DON'T Need Another Time Management Tool: The REAL Reason You're Procrastinating

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:06:00 -0500

Ever feel like one of the biggest roadblocks in your fashion design career is procrastination?

If you find yourself reaching for the newest or trendy technology hoping to finally find your holy grail for staying on task (spoiler alert: it wasn't it), then this episode has your name written all over it! I talk with Grace Brodeur who specializes in helping entrepreneurs overcome procrastination so they can increase their time, financial, and mental freedom. She shares her insights on setting goals, navigating emotional blocks, and giving procrastination the well-deserved boot.

Mentioned in this Episode:
EFT Tapping with Brad Yates

About Grace Brodeur:
While getting her Master of Science and working in consulting, Grace experienced ongoing procrastination, deadline crunches, fear, overwhelm, and overthinking that kept her stuck. She could not find comprehensive training that achieved permanent solutions, so she decided to create it herself.

Grace is a trauma-informed performance coach who has built a community of over 250,000 individuals. She has blended her mastery of 5 modalities with her unique experience of working with 500+ procrastinators to deliver efficient programs that address the root cause of self-sabotaging patterns.

Connect with Grace:
Visit her website
Email her at: support@gracebrodeur.com
Follow on Instagram
Follow on TikTok

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200: How This Freelance Fashion Designer & Mom From Brazil Learned English & Built Her Business in the Cracks of the Day

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

What if you had to completely restart your fashion career? And what if you were also faced with a lot of barriers?

That's exactly what this fashion designer, mom of two, and my guest, Andressa Iop, faced when she moved from Brazil to the U.S. Between learning a new language, juggling the hectic schedule of motherhood, and everything else, she found time in the cracks of her day to fit in time to rebuild her fashion career.

Andressa shares more about her success and the amazing way she finds time for fashion design. If you ever wished you could buy a new MAC or make $3k working part-time, then you'll love this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid. Hear how she did it and how you can too!

About Andressa Iop:
Andressa is an exceptional fashion and textile designer with over ten years of experience in the kidswear industry. She specializes in bringing seasonal collections to life, from the initial concept to the final product. Her passion for her work is evident in every detail of her designs, and she offers her expertise to startups and mid-sized brands in need of guidance in various areas of product development. With Andressa's help, brands can create beautiful, high-quality clothing that will inspire and delight parents and children alike.

Connect with Andressa:

Email at: dressaiop@gmail.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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199: Pros & Cons of Freelancing in Fashion: Is it Worth It?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Is freelancing in fashion worth it?

If you've ever wondered about being a freelance fashion designer (or PD, TD, patternmaker, etc!) then this episode will shine some light on the pros and cons of freelancing in fashion. Let's get super clear on what true remote freelancing means so then we can pull back the curtain to reveal all the good and bad that comes with it. Is freelancing really worth it? Tune in to find out!

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198 | Q&A: I'm Scared of Rejection

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Rejection doesn't have to be synonymous with failure.

The truth is, there will always be rejection in your fashion design career and that can be scary (and totally normal!). But whether you hear a yes or no shouldn't be what determines your success. In this episode, I talk with Anne Benschop about the fear of rejection and the impact that can have as a freelance fashion designer. We work on reframing her mindset to measure her success based on her actions, not others'.

Don't let the fear of rejection hold you back. Listen to this episode to learn how you can also reframe your mindset to let go of some of that fear and start making progress in your freelance business.

About Anne:
Anne is a womenswear designer who is focused on inclusive and sustainable fashion. She is experienced in the whole design process from brainstorming a new collection to product development. She has worked part-time in customer service and previously experienced the challenges of the fashion industry job market, finding it to be toxic and undervaluing. Despite her fears and hesitations, Anne is determined to break free from this mold and elevate her freelance career.

Connect with Anne:
Email at: annebenschop@hotmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Woah...did we just crack the code of sales conversations to land more freelance fashion design clients?!

If you've ever felt sales conversations were scary or just need to elevate your sales game, then our guest, Nikki Rausch, is here to share her best tips and tricks to help you feel confident in your sales calls. We talk about navigating the sales staircase framework, using the power of smart questions, and leading the conversation with finesse.

Learn how to make your potential clients feel understood, tailor your offers to their needs, and even snag a free gift training on mastering the sales conversation. Get ready to level up your sales game and leave your clients saying "yes" in style!

About Nikki Rausch:
CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch has the unique ability to transform the misunderstood process of “selling”.
With 25+ years of selling experience, entrepreneurs and small business owners now hire Nikki to show them how to sell successfully and authentically. Nikki has written 3 books, all available on Amazon. And she has a podcast called Sales Maven which you can find on your favorite podcast platform.

Nikki is a sales professional who believes in teaching others to be strategic and genuine in their own unique ways. She provides structure and guidance for sales conversations, while also emphasizing the importance of authenticity and organic communication. Nikki's approach is about giving people the tools to be successful in sales, rather than imposing her own style on them. She believes in the power of individuality and finding a balance between structure and personal expression in sales.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast Episode 181: The Secret to Get New Clients on Autopilot for Your Freelance Fashion Design Business

Connect with Nikki:

Visit their website: https://yoursalesmaven.com

Email at: nikki@yoursalesmaven.com

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin
Free Mastering The Sales Conversation Training: https://yoursalesmaven.com/fashion

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196: How This Freelancer Does Sourcing & Product Development for Factories (and is making bank)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Being a freelance fashion designer means you can step outside of the norm and build a career your own way!

Just like today's guest, Amanda Russo, who takes a little bit of a backward approach from what we may normally see. She lives in Brazil and helps factories source new fashion brands and then manages the product development process. We talk all about exactly how she got her clients, how she put together contracts and retainers to earn consistent income, and about her amazing experience inside Fast. If that isn't enough, after just 3 short months of kickstarting her freelancing career, Amanda is already out-earning her previous full-time salary!

About Amanda Russo:
Amanda Russo, a graduate from an esteemed school, has dedicated the past decade to the field of international product development. With a unique perspective on the industry, Amanda has navigated the differences between American and international product development, often working with a larger focus on national product development. As a fashion freelancer, she specializes in linking factories with the right clients in Brazil and guiding them through the entire product development journey.

Connect with Amanda:

Visit her website

Email at: amanda@amandarusso.com.br

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

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195: Fashion Sourcing Trade Show Tips for Freelancers (Andreu David, VP of Sourcing at Magic)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Should freelance fashion designers attend a sourcing trade show?

Let's go straight to the source with the vice president of the largest sourcing trade show in North America to get the answer and insider tips to make the most of your trade show experience. Andreu David is the vice president of Sourcing at Magic is here to help find the perfect vendors and suppliers for your freelance clients or your own fashion brand, And so much more.

As the Vice President of SOURCING at MAGIC for Informa Markets Fashion, Andreu spearheads a team renowned for hosting the largest sourcing trade show in North America. In addition, with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Andreu is the CEO and Creative Director of his own brand, provides consultation services to fellow entrepreneurs with his company, Brand Design Architects, and teaches fashion design and business at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. After matriculating with a BS in Marketing from the University of Southern California and a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, he began his career with a design apprenticeship at Hermès in Paris, France, subsequently held long-term senior management design roles at Double RL Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic and led as Creative Director of a startup brand in New York.

Connect with Andreu:
Visit the Sourcing Magic Website
Email at sourcing@fashionresource.com
Connect on Linkedin

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194: Q&A - How Should A Freelance Patternmaker Set Up An UpWork Profile?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Dreaming of more clients doesn't help grow your freelance fashion career...but these tips will!

Hanan specializes in modest women's wear and aims to expand her client base but needs a little help navigating her niche. Heidi and Hanan delve into the importance of having a niche-specific profile on platforms like Upwork, as well as leveraging industry connections to attract new clients. They explore strategies for standing out in a competitive market and rekindling relationships within Hanan's extensive network. This episode will leave you inspired to refine your own niche and make meaningful connections in your professional network.

Key takeaways from the episode:

1. The Power of Niche: Hanan and Heidi discuss the importance of positioning your freelance profile to specifically highlight your niche. Learn how being specific in your niche, such as modest women's wear, can help you stand out in a competitive market.

2. Utilizing Upwork: Hanan and Heidi dive into strategies for leveraging platforms like Upwork to find and secure freelance opportunities. Discover why tailoring your profile to your niche is essential for attracting the right clients.

3. Networking and Engaging: Hanan emphasizes the importance of nurturing industry relationships and engaging with your network. Heidi shares insightful tips on staying top-of-mind with industry contacts and creating genuine connections.

About Hanan:
Hanan worked as a pattern maker in the Los Angeles fashion district for 14 years. When she had her third child, she quit her job to become a stay-at-home mom and moved away from LA. After seven years, she decided to pursue her dream of starting her own fashion brand for modest women's wear, but struggled financially. She had followed Heidi for many years, but had never realized that the freelancing she talked about was entirely remote. This caught Hanan's attention, and she decided to attend a workshop hosted by Heidi to learn more. She found it difficult to drive to LA with three kids, so she was excited to explore this freelancing journey and see where it takes her and her brand.

Connect with Hanan:
Visit their website: hijabfix.com
Email at: hijabfix@outlook.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin
Work with on Upwork

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193: How to Be a Freelance Fashion Stylist (for TV and personal styling)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

There's a mind-blowing amount of nuances that go into being a freelance fashion stylist and who better to share all the deets than someone who's styled for Emmy award-winning TV shows?

We have the pleasure of being joined by the esteemed freelance stylist with over 25 years of experience, Darshan Gress. With a diverse background in styling for TV shows like Project Runway and Top Chef, Darshan has now transitioned into personal styling for high-level executives. From the importance of networking and creating authentic relationships to the nuances of styling and the impact of social media, Darshan provides a wealth of knowledge for aspiring stylists. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of freelance styling and uncover the secrets to building a successful career in the fashion industry.

Learn all about the challenges and rewards of freelance styling, the significance of networking, and the art of storytelling through clothing – all while getting a glimpse into the glamorous world of fashion. Whether you're a budding stylist, a fashion enthusiast, or simply curious about the ins and outs of the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and engaging anecdotes sure to pique your interest!

About Darshan:
Darshan Gress is a personal fashion stylist, costume designer, and style expert who has overseen the wardrobe for Emmy award-winning TV shows on platforms such as Netflix, NBC, Bravo, among others. Her career has focused on styling industry leaders both in front of the camera and in real life.

Based in New York City and Los Angeles, Darshan firmly believes style and success go hand in hand and is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve professional and personal success by helping them visually show up with confidence in a wardrobe that authentically reflects their personal style.

Darshan’s most recent work includes styling Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine, Nina Garcia, on Project Runway, as well as creating looks for entrepreneur and Sprinkle’s cupcake founder, Candace Nelson, on Shark Tank. As she continues to expand her career, she values the experiences and lessons she has learned by sharing with others and has begun to mentor the next generation of stylists.

Connect with Darshan:
Visit her Website
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin
DM her "News" on Instagram to get on her email list

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192: How This Freelance Technical Designer Landed Her First Client In One Month

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Is your corporate fashion job leaving you feeling beat down? What if you could quit and land your first freelance client within a month?

That's exactly what today's guest did! Jenny Pflanz the highs and lows of transitioning from corporate to freelance work, including the challenges of projecting confidence, adjusting to the lack of office socializing, and seeking sustainability in the fashion industry. You'll discover the power of networking, the importance of specific details in sustainability efforts, and valuable advice on simplifying the approach to pitching potential clients.

If you're curious about the world of freelancing, overcoming self-doubt, and the pursuit of sustainability in fashion, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to take on your own freelance journey.

About Jenny
Meet Jenny Pflanz, a Textiles and Apparel Design expert with a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. With over 8 years of experience as a Technical Designer/Product Developer for various renowned brands, Jenny recently made a bold decision to leave her 9-5 job for mental health reasons. During her break, she focused on self-improvement and undertaking CLO certification courses at FIT. She now is successfully freelancing and exploring exciting new opportunities.

Connect with Jenny
Visit her Website
Email at jenny.m.pflanz@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn

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191: Adjust these 5 things on your fashion resume to look "younger" (and avoid ageism)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Is your age holding you back in the fashion industry?

Ageism is a legit problem in the fashion industry, with some claiming that you're considered "old" after 35. That's why I'm sharing some of my best strategies to help you combat age discrimination when looking for fashion design jobs. From updating your email address to removing graduation dates and outdated projects, I've got you covered.

I'm also revealing a hidden gem for avoiding ageism altogether! It can not only help you escape age discrimination but also provide you with more financial freedom and a better work-life balance. So go ahead and click play and kick ageism to the curb.

Fashion Resume Examples
Fashion Portfolio Examples
Ultimate Guide to Adobe Illustrator
Ultimate Guide to Tech Packs
Ep 179: Illegal Freelance Jobs

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190 - Q&A: Are You Ready to Quit Your Full-Time Job And Go All In As A Freelance Fashion Designer?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Are you at a crossroads in your career as a freelance fashion designer? Wondering if it's the right time to quit your full-time job and go all-in on your freelance gig?

You're not alone and in today's episode, we join Rachel Kranick, a freelance fashion designer who shares her journey and the challenges she's facing. Despite her success in the industry and a year's worth of savings, Rachel is torn between her full-time job and the desire to dive headfirst into freelancing. Heidi provides valuable insights on when and how to transition to full-time freelancing, as well as practical strategies to build a sustainable client base. Join the conversation as we explore the personal and professional aspects of being a freelance fashion designer and discover the courage to embrace change and create the career of your dreams.

About Rachel:
Meet Rachael, a talented designer who specializes in outdoor apparel and outerwear. She absolutely loves designing jackets and technical pieces that are both functional and stylish. With over ten years of experience in the industry, Rachael has worked with big brands like Nike and Travis Mathew in the past and is currently the lead designer for an athleisure wholesaler. In her free time, she works with freelance clients on exciting projects. Rachael is based in sunny Long Beach, California and is an avid lover of the great outdoors. She enjoys camping, roller skating, paddle boarding, and hiking whenever she can.

Visit her website: Rachaelkranick.com
Email at: Rachaelkranick@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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189: How to make your freelance clients happy just by "being available"

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Here's your backstage pass to see the challenges and triumphs of building a global fashion brand with freelancers from around the world.

Get ready to hear firsthand stories from Alexander Massey as he shares the ups and downs of working with freelancers and managing the logistics of manufacturing remotely. From surprise welcome hampers to finding the right balance between flexibility and boundaries, this episode is packed with insights and real-life experiences that every aspiring fashion entrepreneur can learn from.

About Alexander:
Alexander Massey is the founder of Charles William Alexander, a niche pajama and underwear brand that prioritizes sustainability and production in the USA. The brand, known for its premium and regal London-inspired style, has a global reach and a focus on creating purposeful, high-quality products. Massey's vision for the brand is deeply rooted in his connection to his favorite places in the world, including the UK, Australia, and the US. With a commitment to ethical and domestically-made products, Alexander Massey continues to lead his company in providing comfortable and stylish sleepwear to customers worldwide.

Connect with Alexander:
Visit the Website
Email at cw@charleswilliamalexander.co.uk
Follow on Instagram

Other Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
https://katanamrp.com/
https://satsumadesigns.com/

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188: From Military Pilot to Freelance Fashion Designer. WHAAAT?!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

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.

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
Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Website
Intimate Apparel Technical Collective Instagram
Email Nicola: nicola@iatechnicalcollective.com
Visit Ryan Amore's Website
Virtually Try On

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187 Should you leave the fashion industry? Before you quit, consider this...

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Feeling burned out in the fashion industry? Don't throw in the towel just yet!

Burnout is real, my friends, and I've been there.

In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal story of contemplating a career change, why starting a fashion brand wasn't the right path for me, and the alternative I found that worked wonders. But before you make that final decision to quit, I want you to consider a few things. Trust me, the next ten minutes could be just what you need to hear before saying goodbye to an industry you once loved. So grab your headphones and let's get started!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

SFF134 Alexandra Agreda How to Be a Remote Freelance Patternmaker

SFF164: Breaking Back Into Fashion After Burnout

SFF133 Amy The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer

179: Illegal "freelance" fashion design jobs...

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186 | Q&A: Do freelance fashion designers need to be on Instagram? The answer will surprise you.

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Break free from the endless tweaking of social media and portfolio and start landing paid projects. Discover how to prioritize your efforts, create an impactful Instagram profile, and leverage in-person connections to gain clients. Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and make real progress in your fashion design business.

In this episode, we approach the common problem of being stuck in the "productive comfort zone" that many freelance fashion designers face. Just like today's guest, Zoh Hollinger, you'll learn the solution lies in creating a visually clear Instagram profile, focusing on pitching, and leveraging in-person connections and trade show listings to land clients. Get ready for actionable tips to propel your fashion design career forward and leave behind unproductive habits.

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185: How to Build A Fashion Design Agency & Launch Your Fashion Brand On The Side

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Want to know the ups and downs of building a fashion agency, navigating freelance work in fashion, and the incredible journey of transforming an inexperienced designer into a Clo 3D whiz? Then this episode is just for you!

In this episode, you'll hear how Kristen Anderson, a freelance fashion designer turned agency founder, took on a mammoth project that left her feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break. With pressure to go at lightning speed and a desire for control, Kristen shares her experience of building her team, switching up her pricing model, and even jetting off to Sri Lanka to bring her lingerie brand to life. And if that's not intriguing enough, she spills the details on a remarkable success story of a newbie designer who left and came back transformed. Plus, Kristen dishes out invaluable tips on optimizing LinkedIn, managing client expectations, and the power of putting yourself out there. Trust us, this episode is a fashion-forward journey you don't want to miss!

Kristen Anderson has been designing lingerie + intimate apparel for over 9 years. Her most recent full-time design position was at SwimUSA, where she was a senior designer for Kona Sol, a contemporary women's swimwear line sold at Target. In late 2019, Kristen left SwimUSA to pursue full-time work with KRSTN NDRSN, her startup fashion design agency started in 2018.

Contact Kristen:
Visit her Website: www.kndrsn.com
Email: kris@kndrsn.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on LinkedIn

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184: How This Freelance Textile Designer Is Charging $75/hr

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Are you tired of the rat race and longing for more control over your schedule? In this inspiring episode, textile designer Masha Khoruzhik shares her journey as a freelancer and how it transformed her life for the better.

Masha's freelance career has brought her more than just financial success - it has allowed her to prioritize her mental and physical health, earn more money working fewer hours, and collaborate with renowned brands like Anthropologie. From setting boundaries with her clients to realizing the power of raising her rates, Masha's story is a testament to the freedom and fulfillment that comes with freelancing. Join us as she dives into the challenges she's faced, the surprising transformations in her life, and how taking control of your schedule can lead to a happier, more fulfilling career. Get ready to be inspired and reconsider the endless possibilities of freelance work!

About Masha:
With a background in illustration and painting, Masha specializes in bespoke textile design and prints for the home fashion industry. Her focus is hand-drawn and painted designs suited for various home textile brands and companies - from open price to luxury. She's on a mission to whip up one-of-a-kind art with innovative techniques. And, she's not stopping there - these creations pack a punch in the market and align with the brand.

Connect with Masha:

Email at contact@studiosvekla.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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183 What's more profitable: starting a clothing line or being a freelance fashion designer?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Dreaming of working in the fashion industry and making money?
Well, hold on tight because in this episode, we're diving deep into whether starting your own clothing line or freelancing as a fashion designer is more profitable. With personal experiences and insights from industry experts, you'll discover the surprising truth about which path will fill your pockets faster. Get ready to unlock the secrets of the fashion world and find out if your dream lies in launching a clothing brand or taking charge as a freelance fashion designer.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Sofia's Story: https://successfulfashiondesigner.com/fashion-brand-vs-freelancing/

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182| Q&A: How Do Freelance Technical Designers Review Protos Remotely?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered how freelance technical designers review garment samples remotely?

Look no further! In this episode, we join Heidi and guest Sarah Wattley as they discuss the ins and outs of this fascinating process. From deciding who receives the sample first, to marking up tech packs and coordinating Zoom sessions, Heidi lays out multiple options to navigate the sample review process efficiently. Discover the benefits of having two samples sent to different parties, and explore the role of pattern makers in the grand scheme of things. Whether you're a freelancer or a fashion enthusiast, you won't want to miss this insightful conversation on making remote sample reviews a breeze!

Sara is a single mom of two trying to find that flexible balance between work and home life. Throughout her career, she has explored many areas within the fashion industry of her country and often faces logistical challenges when it comes to reviewing samples. Sarah's dedication to her work and passion for the industry shine through her determination to have the samples in her hands and personally inspect them. Her commitment to excellence and her expertise in tech packs make her a highly sought-after professional in the fashion industry.

Connect with Sarah:

Email at sarah.wattley@gmail.com
Follow her personal stories on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

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181 The Secret to Get New Clients on Autopilot for Your Freelance Fashion Design Business

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Get ready to unlock your potential as a fashion design freelancer with expert tips on getting clients on autopilot, offering valuable solutions, and becoming a trusted partner in your clients' journey toward success!

Working remotely in the fashion industry can have its challenges. Like confusing language barriers, knowledge gaps, and even plackets! You're not alone and our guest today, Ted Griffith, tells all about his journey as a self-proclaimed accidental fashion entrepreneur.

From starting his own athletic wear brand, Sexy Ted, to navigating the intricacies of working with freelancers and factories, Ted shares valuable insights and practical tips that will leave you itching to hear more! Dive into the world of fashion design with us and discover how to turn your passion into profit, all while embracing the joys and pitfalls of remote collaboration.

Connect with Ted:

Ted is an entrepreneur who loves to play squash and other racquet sports. He decided to start a clothing line because he didn’t like the fit, quality, and look of existing products, particularly items that are predominantly white to meet dress codes at certain places. His goal is for people to have fun and not take themselves too seriously when they wear his clothes.

Email at Ted@sexyted.com
Follow on Instagram
Visit at www.SexyTed.com

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180: How This Pattern Cutter Freelanced for Alexander McQueen (While Still in Fashion School)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

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.

About Our Guest
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

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179: Illegal "freelance" fashion design jobs...

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Before accepting your next fashion design "freelance" gig, make sure it's not illegal. I'm exposing the exploitative nature of these so-called "freelance" jobs in the fashion industry so you know the exact red flags to look for. Step away from that temp job in disguise and start looking for real remote freelance fashion design opportunities (or technical design, patternmaking, etc!).

When you think of freelance fashion design, you *hopefully* imagine the freedom to work on your terms, choosing the projects that excite you. However, the reality can be far from that. Brands often label temp jobs as freelancing, but they expect you to work as an employee without offering any of the benefits. This imbalance allows brands to save money while taking advantage of your talent and dedication. Shockingly, in some places, this working arrangement is actually illegal. These exploitative practices in the industry put true freelance fashion jobs in a bad light.

But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom! In this episode, we'll discuss the true essence of freelancing and how you can carve out a successful career as a fashion designer (or technical designer, or patternmaker, etc!) on your own terms. We'll explore the freedom, flexibility, and control that comes with being a real freelancer. So, if you're ready to learn the difference between permalancing and true freelancing, and how to stand up for your rights in the fashion industry, tune in now and let's reclaim the true meaning of freelancing in fashion!

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178: Q&A: Hey Fashion Designer, Are You Stuck in Your Comfort Zone?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

If you've ever found yourself stuck in your comfort zone and in need of a little push to take your fashion design career to the next level, you're not alone and that's the exact strategies we'll be talking about in today's episode.

We'll explore common struggles with seeking permission and the fear of hitting send on important pitches through the lens of our guest, Jacqueline Schumann's, career. But fear not, because this strategy session will provide the guidance and mindset strategies Jacqueline (and you!) needs to break free from her traditional education and employee mindset. Get ready for an empowering and insightful conversation on how to give yourself permission for success. You got this!

About Jacqueline:
Jacqueline and a freelance denim designer who works with small to midsize-conscious brands.

She studied at FIDM where she learned how the industry works traditionally but after taking a break to have a family, as well as working in various industries, she lost her passion for it. Thankfully, she found it again through her own research of discovering better ways clothing can be made. These approaches are less harmful to people, animals, and our planet!

Connect with Jacqueline:

Email at: connect@jacquelinediane.com
Follow on Instagram: @jacqueline_consciousfashion
Follow on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelineschumann/
Visit her website: www.jacquelinediane.com

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177: How this Fashion Designer Used LinkedIn to Land High-Paying Projects

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Uncover this fashion designer's secrets to attracting clients and growing a successful agency, while also shedding light on the challenges and frustrations she faces when working with freelancers (and what you should do instead.)

In this episode, Rachel Battarbee spills the secrets to growing your freelance fashion career, ways to expand your network, and insights on what frustrations she commonly runs into when working with freelancers. We dive into her experience starting Guided Makers and how she landed her first clients. Rachel shares her valuable insights on using LinkedIn as a powerful tool for networking and getting noticed by potential clients. And hey, for all you freelancers out there, Rachel also provides some eye-opening tips on working effectively with freelancers and avoiding common struggles. So whether you're just starting out or looking to amp up your fashion freelancing game, this episode has got you covered with expert advice from the one and only Rachel Battarbee!

Our Industry Expert in this episode, Rachel Battarbee, cracks open her 25-year career in the apparel industry. She is a results-driven strategist who understands all facets of product development and sourcing. As a big-picture thinker and experienced process manager, she helps her clients anticipate potential roadblocks and establish best practices for current and future business opportunities.
Rachel’s previous experience includes developing and sourcing apparel lines for leading U.S. and U.K. retailers and distributors.

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176: From "trapped" in NYC to in control of her own destiny: how this freelance fashion designer did it

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to another episode of "Fashion Designers Get Paid"!

Today we have a fantastic guest joining us - the talented Mari Medina, a freelance knitwear designer. In this episode, Mari will be sharing her journey of building and growing her fashion career as a fashion designer, navigating the world of freelancing, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. From the importance of hands-on experience to seeking feedback and constantly evolving, Mari's insights are sure to inspire and educate.

So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and get ready to dive into the world of freelance fashion design with Mari Medina. Let's get started!

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175: We’re BACK with some BIG (and exciting!) changes!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome back, fashion friends! It's Heidi here, and I am beyond excited to announce that we're back with some BIG changes on the podcast! Our break was far from idle - we've been reflecting, brainstorming, and working on some exciting things behind the scenes. But let's dive right into what you can expect from our revamped show!

First off, we are zoning in on our ideal listeners. We want to reach fashion professionals who are feeling burnt out and looking for more opportunities in their careers. Maybe you're considering a couple of options but aren't sure if it's the right move or maybe you're unaware of the freelancing option. No matter where you are in your fashion journey, this podcast is here to support and inspire you.

We recently conducted a survey, unrelated to our podcast name, and were blown away by the responses. Many of you expressed feeling undervalued and underpaid in the fashion industry. That's why we've come up with a brilliant idea to tackle this issue head-on - finding a simple solution for fashion designers to get paid what they deserve.

In the coming episodes, we'll be shaking things up to provide you with diverse insights and perspectives on financing, freelancing, and the business side of fashion. We're talking successful fashion freelancer stories, interviews with industry experts, solo episodes with yours truly, and even coaching sessions with our students!

To ensure we cover all aspects of the industry, we'll be inviting brands and clients who hire freelancers to join us. You'll get an inside look at the hiring process, what they look for in freelancers, and the resources available to you.

But wait, there's more! We've made some changes to our schedule too. Starting today, we'll be publishing new episodes every Monday. So mark your calendars and get ready to start your week with fashion inspiration and knowledge.

Now, here comes the cherry on top - we've rebranded! After some soul-searching, we're now proudly known as "Fashion Designers Get Paid." We're confident that this tweak will resonate more and help more fashion enthusiasts discover our show.

So buckle up, fashionistas, because we're here to empower you, educate you, and make sure you get paid what you deserve. Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes full of industry knowledge, success stories, and game-changing insights. And don't forget, if you know any industry experts or have any suggestions for guests, shoot us an email at podcast (at) sewheidi.com.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and let's make this fashion-forward journey even more fabulous together!

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SFF174: Podcast Updates (and free LIVE training!)

Sew Heidi — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:00:00 -0500

This episode is a little bit different than our normal episodes. In this episode, I’m going to talk about some of the amazing benefits of being your own boss while sharing some announcements about the podcast. You’ll also get to hear some very exciting news about an upcoming event that we are pumped about!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF173: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: How to Ask for Referrals to Get Consistent Income

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Referrals are one of the best ways to grow your freelance fashion design business but they don’t just fall in your lap! If you’ve ever struggled with the confidence to ask for a referral or have trouble finding the right time or words to say, then this episode is for you! Meghan is joining me as we dig into her referral strategy to discover what’s working, what’s not, and what could be improved.

You’ll also hear Meghan share her challenges of asking for more work and being afraid of taking on anything outside of her comfort zone. Between being a mom and working on her freelance career, Meghan has some legit questions about how to overcome the fears of asking for referrals and overcoming her comfort zone. Listen in to learn effective strategies for being confident and taking the right steps to ask for referrals to get consistent income.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF172: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Landed a $10k Project on Upwork

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 07:00:00 -0500

We love all of the great things being a freelance fashion designer has to offer, but what about the tasks that seem really intimidating? In this episode, Stayce and I are jumping into these intimidating tasks head first (literally…we’re going to be tackling mindset!)

Find out how Stayce wraps her mind around tackling some of these intimidating tasks and landed a $10k project on Upwork! Join us as she talks us through the very strategies that she used to pitch to that client, get them on a phone call, and put the proposal together to land the project and how you can, too!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF171: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: WTF Do I Put In A Tech Pack Portfolio?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

We’ve all been there – struggling to figure out what in the world to include in your tech pack portfolio as a freelance technical designer, what NOT to include, what’s relevant and irrelevant… That’s why Christina and I work through exactly what her goals are and how to create the optimal portfolio to attract the right brands while doing the work that Christina loves!

You’ll also hear about Christina’s struggles figuring out what aesthetic to pursue, since she was told she wouldn’t find work in the industry that she loves. Listen in on why I think this could actually be a really amazing opportunity for Christina to find clients and brands while not compromising on the work she’s passionate about.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF170: From Factory Worker to Successful Freelance Patternmaker

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0500

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, we bring on Darci, who took an interest to sewing at a young age and followed her interests to fashion school. But, after moving to Florida, USA she quickly found that the only market for her skillset was in factories as a seamstress.

This didn’t stop her from continuing her education, since along the way, she picked up crucial skills in software for patternmaking, started listening to the SFF podcast, and took a few of Heidi’s courses. Then? She took the leap and QUIT her job to pursue fashion freelancing.

Listen in to hear about Darci’s journey in more detail including her struggles in confidence with business skills, English as a second language, navigating projects, and how she started getting clients as a freelance patternmaker. Plus, she did all of this with NO formal portfolio!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF169: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: When Brands Keep Saying "Not Now, Maybe Later"

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered how much is too much when reaching out to brands? You want to be a proactive freelance fashion designer and let it be known that you’re available for projects, but the clients keep giving you the old “not now, maybe later” and you don’t want to be overbearing…What do you do?

This episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast is a clip from a Strategy Session I have with FAST: Freelance Accelerator student Renée, and we work on verbiage and strategies for keeping in touch with brands in a sustainable way, while not turning them off from over-outreach.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF168: How This Freelancer Quadrupled Her Income (and took 2 months off)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Can you imagine having the flexibility and resources to just simply… take 2 months off from work? Well, in this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, I bring back a former FAST: Freelance Accelerator student and we discuss how she did just that. And get this: she funded it by quadrupling her income as a freelance patternmaker in the first half of this year alone!

Definitely take a listen with Alexandra as we discuss how she accomplished this as well as the personal and philosophical growth she experienced as a freelancer in the fashion industry. (Spoiler alert: she lives her life on her own terms!)

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF 167: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Project Pricing Hacks (So You Don't Undercharge)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

One of the most common topics students ask about freelancing in fashion is pricing. Do you charge hourly or by project? How do you know you’re getting paid enough? What do you tell clients when you end up working more than expected?

If you can relate to any of these questions, this episode is for you. In this strategy session with Laetitia, a lingerie fashion designer from France, we discuss these issues and work through strategies that help you make sure your project prices are up to par, and that you don’t undercharge when you end up doing more work on the project than expected.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF 166: This Fashion Freelance Changed ONE Thing On LinkedIn and Got More Clients

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, a freelance lingerie fashion designer, she shares the same sentiment and advice on how she handles this hardship. She also shares literally ONE thing that she changed on LinkedIn that not only got her more clients, but made them approach her! Plus, keep listening for some valuable tips and transparent experiences on charging wages based in India, including getting a fair wage both inside and outside of India.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF165: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Balancing Motherhood, Work and Freelancing

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

We can all agree that no matter what you have going on – life can get really busy sometimes. Between your job(s), freelancing, social life, family life – the list goes on – it can get so difficult to keep track of everything while building a freelance fashion career. Productivity and time management skills are quintessential to your success in the fashion industry and beyond, so this is a major talking point on today’s episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.

While pregnant with her second child and already raising a 3 year old, working, and freelancing, Lindsey knows how crazy life can get. We cover advice on balancing your career and family responsibilities mom-to-mom, as well as all things freelance fashion design – including finding your niche, searching for clients, and refining your pitches to make yourself more attractive to a brand while needing to do less customer research.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF164: Breaking Back Into Fashion After Burnout

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

There are millions of reasons we might leave the fashion industry – burn out, starting a family, a big move, or just life in general… And I often find people asking if it’s possible to break back into the industry, whether they’re too outdated and not up with the trends, or that they don’t know the latest software. In this episode of the Success Fashion Freelancer podcast, I’m here to tell you that it’s TOTALLY possible, and how one of my former students did it.

In this episode I interview Kate Knight, a cashmere sweater designer who took a whopping 10 year long break from fashion after pursuing a different career and having a daughter. Now, she’s killing the game – and we walk through the challenges she faced and the strategies she’s used to break back into fashion design.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF163: Why Undercharging Is Killing Your Freelance Career

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Setting your rates is one of the hardest aspects of freelancing, and it might be holding you back. Such was the case of Chad Robertson, a freelancer who was severely undercharging for his services in the book editing and formatting industry. After Heidi hired him for a freelance job to edit her first book, Chad followed her advice to raise his rates and turned his annual earnings from $20,000 a year to a whopping $100,000!

In this episode, we discuss how Heidi found Chad through his niche, the conversation they held about his rates, and how that turned his earnings into a 6-figure income. While it’s not the fashion design world, Chad’s story is inspiring and relatable for all freelancers as he had to overcome mental barriers to raising his rates and finding the confidence to charge what he was worth.

TRIGGER WARNING: Chad discusses his early career as an immigration paralegal and touches on sensitive topics including severe poverty, suicide, and family separation. To skip this conversation, start listening at 11:50 into the episode.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF162: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Tips On Getting Started Without Experience

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Everyone has to start somewhere in the fashion world. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, you’ll get to know Kayla Marshall – a fashion design freelancer who didn’t go to fashion school, is totally self taught, and doesn’t have any formal industry experience. This can be suuuper daunting, but together we will talk through some great tips for getting started as a freelancer!

Plus, it can be hard to know when you’re “ready” to start offering skills to clients you aren’t 100% confident about. You’ll hear some valuable advice on ways to learn these skills such as creating tech packs, fashion flats, and using Adobe Illustrator, which will help you gain some confidence on offering new skills such as pattern making to clients.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF161: Starting a Brand vs Freelancing: Which Is Better?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Starting your own fashion brand is the dream for many – but it’s not a walk in the park. In this episode of the SFF podcast, Sofia Luzon recalls the late nights of sewing, packing & shipping, talking with suppliers, and more sewing for her lingerie brand. Not only was it overwhelming, but it took 5 years of dedicated work for Sofia to even pay herself – and even that was less than minimum wage!

Then, after attending our Freelance Week last year and learning from some of my free resources, Sofia decided to dip her toes into the world of fashion freelancing. After creating a portfolio, an account on Upwork, and working up the courage to start pitching, she had her first client in just 10 days. Not only is she in complete control of her work life, but she is consulting for brands and hasn’t been without a project since.

Listen to this episode to learn how Sofia started her career, and you might want to rethink your journey in starting a brand. Plus, get tips on how Sofia found clients, sent pitches, and gained confidence to have a sustainable income as a fashion design freelancer.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF160: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: How to Pick a Niche for Surface Pattern Designers (plus more on pitching & pricing)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Surface pattern design is a broad category that includes textile design and print and pattern design for all sorts of applications, from dishware to packaging to office supplies. If you’ve been listening to the SFF podcast for long, you know how important niching down is for finding freelance clients. But in such a diverse specialty, figuring out what to focus on can be a big challenge!

In this episode, I walk surface pattern designer Rachelle Fields through choosing the niche she wants to focus on. Then we go on to talk about pricing, and what to include in a textile design contract so both you and your client walk away happy.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF159: What Does a Freelance Fashion Designer Do? (It may surprise you!)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

If you’re interested in freelancing in the fashion industry, but you don’t know where to start, this one’s for you! Learn what services freelance fashion designers can offer (spoiler alert: It’s way more than just “design”!), how to decide what YOUR services should be, and the secret that makes getting started as a freelancer 10X easier! Plus, get inspired by stories of real-life Successful Fashion Freelancers who are loving their flexible careers in fashion.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF158: How this Freelance Textile Designer Outearned Her Salary (in her first year of freelancing)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 May 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Struggling to find a job (even after attending a respected fashion school)? Stuck at a job that sucks the joy out of life (but feel like it’s your only option)? Laid off (and not sure if fashion is worth the struggle anymore)? If you’re fed up with the fashion industry, but don’t want to give up on the work you love, this episode is for you!

If any of those situations sound familiar, Textile Designer and Successful Fashion Freelancer Katerina Dimovska has been there too. But her transformational story is proof that you don’t have to leave the fashion industry to have creative, fulfilling work that lights you up! Now she’s earning more than she did in her full time job, she has the freedom to travel between her family in Macedonia and her partner in Italy, and she’s finally doing work she truly loves.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF157: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What to Do When a Client Ghosts Me (and how to charge for meetings + phone calls)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Are you charging too much as a freelance fashion designer? Money is one of the most awkward subjects for many newer fashion freelancers, and a fair rate can deter some clients. But your time is valuable! If you’re setting or raising your freelance rates and worried that charging what you’re worth will scare potential clients away, this one’s for you. Listen for tips on how to avoid this tough scenario, and to learn why losing freelance clients because of your rate might not be a bad thing!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF156: How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Whether you’re new to the fashion industry or you’ve only worked for bigger brands, sourcing fabrics and trims for smaller brands can be a daunting task for many freelance fashion designers. How do you find fabric suppliers with low minimums? How do you know if a fabric supplier is any good? And what are the basic steps to buying fabric for a small fashion brand? In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, I’m once again chatting with Jay Arbetman, the founder of The Sourcing District. Since he started helping out with the family coat business at age 14, Jay has accumulated 50 years of experience in the fashion industry. A lot has changed since the last time I interviewed him in 2017, especially when it comes to startup brands, sustainability, and freelancing in fashion.

Don’t miss The Complete Guide to Sourcing Fabric with Low Minimums. And for the complete show notes and links to all the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF155: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: I Have 15 Clients and Am on the Struggle Bus

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

On the surface, it sounds like Krystal has it all—a thriving freelance fashion design biz, FIFTEEN solid clients, and a connection that regularly sends her more work. The problem? Her 15 clients are all in different niches, from hunting & fishing to swimwear to golf. Krystal’s killing it and her clients love her, but switching between so many different categories leaves her feeling scattered, disorganized, and frantic. She wants to niche down and do the work she’s most excited about, but how do you tell good clients that you’re letting them go? And how do you find the time to update your portfolio, find potential clients in your new niche, and pitch when you already have more on your plate than you can handle?

Listen to this Freelance Strategy Session for actionable advice on how to offboard freelance fashion design clients in a way that leaves them feeling great, how to change your niche, the different kinds of brands that hire freelancers and tips on finding them, avoiding permalance roles, and more.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF154: How She Became a Freelance Fashion Illustrator + Designer (and sent a $4500 invoice!)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

“I can’t freelance—I need a stable job.” One of the biggest misconceptions about freelancing in fashion is that it’s feast or famine. So many people imagine freelancers stuck in an endless job hunt, never knowing where their next project is coming from (or if they’ll get one at all!). But the truth is that, when you know how to build your career the right way, freelancing can actually be MORE stable than a full-time job. Hear how once-reluctant freelancer Sam Shammas has created her dream career doing fashion illustration and freelance bridal design, and get inspired… because it’s possible for you, too.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF153: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What to Do When You're Stuck and Can't Find Enough Time

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

One of the MOST common reasons aspiring fashion freelancers put off building their freelance career is not having enough time. There’s this myth that you need to find a two-hour block of time every day to “hustle” and “work your business.” And the only way most of us mortals can carve out time like that is to sacrifice our sleep (get up at 4 a.m.!), or to sacrifice that precious bit of leisure time we all need at the end of a long workday.

Well, there’s good news: You can create space in your day to build your freelance career without giving up your social life, your sleep, and your sanity!!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF152: How This 20-Year-Old from India Became a Freelance Fashion Designer (With No Experience)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 09:00:00 -0500

The high cost of fashion school shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you from working in the industry you love. Yes, it is possible to break into the fashion industry without a fashion degree, without industry experience, without connections, AND without living in NYC! Today’s guest, Arya Mishra, is a 20-year-old, self-taught designer in India. She started out as a freelancer exclusively offering fashion flats, and within the first two months she already had multiple clients paying her $20 an hour—and more lined up!

Don’t let fashion industry myths keep you from pursuing your dream. Fashion is a challenging industry, but with the right tools and a lot of determination, you CAN become a Successful Fashion Freelancer.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF151: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Why Are Brands Ghosting Me?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

You’ve landed a new client, and the trial project they requested went great! You’re ready to start the full project with them. But then, they suddenly stop replying to your emails. You try following up, but it’s like they’ve vanished.

You’ve been ghosted. And it sucks.

Were your rates too high? Did you do something wrong?

That’s what I explore with this week’s guest, Anna. She’s a FAST student with a couple of years’ experience freelancing. But when she was ghosted by a couple clients in a row, she started to lose her confidence. Is she really a good enough designer? And if she is, why did they bail?

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF150: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: I'm at Capacity! How Can I Grow My Business if I Can't Take On More Clients? (Pt 2)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Successful Fashion Freelancer Alison Hoenes has grown her freelance business to 75% more than her old full-time income in just 4 years. She has plenty of clients and more projects than she can take on, and she needs help! In part two of the interview, we dive into what Alison can do to keep growing her business without losing her work-life balance–one of the best things about being a true, remote freelancer. We cover hiring, deciding what tasks to delegate (or dump altogether!), and how Alison can help even more clients without lowering her rates or burning out.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF149: How This Freelance Patternmaker Beat Her Full Time Income by 75% (Pt 1)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

How do you grow from your first few clients to a thriving, fully booked freelance biz? After four years as a Successful Fashion Freelancer, Alison Hoenes is earning 75% more than her old full-time salary, booked out months in advance, and still growing. And she’s doing it all without working insane 60-hour weeks (like most traditional fashion jobs). If you’ve established some steady clients and are ready to grow your freelance business, this episode is full of strategies to get you there. And if you’re just getting started, you’ll be inspired by how far Alison has come in just four short years. This episode is a follow up from Alison’s interview two years ago: Episode 103: How to Make More Money as a Fashion Freelancer (than in a Full Time Job)!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF148: How She Built a International Freelance Fashion Design Agency from India

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

A common myth about freelancing is that it’s unstable, and you have to hustle 24/7 to get enough projects to survive. That was how this episode’s guest, PK, felt. When she had her son and started freelancing, she got burned by a client who refused to pay, and felt like she was constantly searching for a job. Now, she works with brands in her home country of India and around the world, and she has so much work that she had to hire other freelancers to help out!

Listen to hear how she did it, and what it takes to build a successful freelance career anywhere in the world.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF147: "I turned my side hustle into my full time hustle"

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0500

You’ve put in the time and the work. Now there's only one thing standing between your side hustle becoming your full time source of income: getting more freelance clients. In this episode our guest Connie reveals the simple change that allowed her to transform her side hustle into a design agency within 18 months.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF146: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Managing Your First $4k Project on Upwork

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:44:54 -0500

Congrats! You’ve landed your first big freelance client on Upwork… now what? It appears you got your work cut out for you, is it even feasible to accomplish the scope of this project within the client’s expected time frame and budget? Before you start to convince yourself that you are in way over your head, you need to get your bearings. So let’s come up with that game plan! In this week’s episode of Successful Fashion Freelancer, I strategize with our guest Amna on how to guide a project and have open communication with a client after she landed her first $4k project on Upwork.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF145: How This Textile Designer Is Charging $60/hr on Upwork

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Pitching on Upwork can be tough. Despite knowing that you're THE perfect fit for projects, it can be a struggle to get the right clients. Today’s guest, Lucia, found herself in the same situation. After six months of failed pitches, it left her thinking, "Is this really it for me? Why can't I be a mom AND a Successful Fashion Freelancer?"

In this episode, Lucia shares the small changes she made in her pitches that immediately started landing her clients, how she got her first project for $1800, and more.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF144: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Why your emails aren't getting replies (+ more on pricing, starting without experience, and finding clients)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Starting a new career is scary, and it can be easy to underestimate what you bring to the table when you do. In this interview, Heidi helps new freelance pattern-maker Vanessa dissect Vanessa’s current outreach approach and strategize how to receive more email responses, starting without experience, what her pay rate should be, how Upwork can help grow her business, and create a plan of action.

See more about the episode here!

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SFF143: From $100 to $3k/month...And Then I Realized I Was Permalancing...

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

"Just realized I'm permalancing and I hate it! How do I 'Quit'?"

Finding yourself in the world of permalancing can be unexpected. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, it can still come as a shock to find that your part-time gig has become a full-time drain.

What are the telltale signs that your freelance work has become permalancing?

And how do you leave?

In this episode of Successful Fashion Freelancer, we dive in with today's guest Michelle Arrubla about her permalancing situation and how to be clear about those important work needs.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF142: How to figure out your services as a fashion freelancer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

One place new fashion freelancers get stuck all the time is figuring out what services to offer. If you’ve been spinning your wheels thinking you need to learn flats, repeats, tech packs, patterns, sourcing, and maybe graphic design? before you can start freelancing, there’s good news: You don’t have to offer every service under the sun in order to present yourself as a freelancer. In fact, the secret you’ll learn in this short solo episode will make every aspect of freelancing easier, and make you MORE marketable at the same time.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF141: Why I Hired This Freelancer (and then hired her again, and again, and again!)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Ever wondered what your clients & potential clients are thinking? What makes them decide to hire a freelancer from a cold pitch? What are they thinking while you’re working together? And how do they decide whether to lose your info, or hire you again (and again, and again)? In this interview with freelance graphic designer Atara, you’ll hear a client’s perspective on what makes a freelancer irresistible.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF140: Fashion Freelancer Puberty

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Ah, puberty. That fun phase we all go through. When surprises pop up that NO ONE prepared you for, everything is awkward AF, and you’re just trying to figure yourself out.

Puberty may suck, but it’s a mandatory phase--there’s no getting around it.

But I’m not talking about middle school, body hair, and braces. I’m talking about the cringeworthy, painful, but absolutely necessary phase of Freelance Puberty.

If you’re…

Breaking into a sweat before every potential client call…

Putting off sending that cold pitch for weeks (because you don’t want potential clients to laugh at you!)...

Or just feeling the freelance growing pains...

… then this episode is for you!

For the complete show notes and to register for the free training on finding freelance clients, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF139 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: CLO3d as a service? Project pricing? And what about portfolios?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Even if you’ve been in the fashion industry for years (or decades!), transitioning to a freelance career presents a unique set of questions and challenges. Today’s guest has a decade of experience, but she still has tons of questions about how to turn that knowledge into a thriving freelance business. And we cover it all, from pricing to portfolios and so much more.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFF138 How She Did It: A Fashion Freelancer with No Industry Experience

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

“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 two projects--her first paid work in the fashion industry. And this is just the beginning.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF137 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: I feel like I'm losing my skills and confidence...

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400

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 she get them back?

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF136 Creating Stability and Fulfillment as a Fashion Freelancer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400

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 have time to spend with your family (and live your life!).

I’m not here to judge--if you’re a parent who loves your demanding job and crazy long hours, then you do you! But if you’re craving more balance, you’re not alone. Listen to hear how designer Lori Paradis changed her life through freelancing… and how you can do it, too.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF135 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What should my services be? (The skills I have or what I LOVE?)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400

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... or ten!).

In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A, we tackle the services you should offer, how to offer a service you haven’t perfected yet, and why doing what you love is a recipe for freelance success.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF134 How to Be a Remote Freelance Patternmaker

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400

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 own schedule, choose the best projects for her goals, and actually have a life--all while still working in fashion.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF133 The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:00:00 -0400

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. She started freelancing as a temporary fix while her son was young, and always intended to go back to in-house. But once she experienced the flexibility, freedom of choice, and better hourly wage she now has, she fell in love with freelancing.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF132 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Pricing and retainers, WTF to do!?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0400

In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A you’ll hear from Mari, a freelance knitwear designer who’s working on perfecting her pricing strategy. She’s built a successful freelance business, and she loves her work and the “limitless opportunities” that freelancing provides. But like most new freelancers, she still has questions about charging for her services. From undercharging to retainers, listen for tons of tips to help you navigate freelance pricing.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF131 How this fashion freelancer is charging $85/hr (during the pandemic!)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:00:00 -0400

One of the most common myths about freelancing in fashion is that brands won’t pay a fair hourly wage. Today’s guest blows that myth out of the water--sharing how she’s been charging up to $85 an hour over the past year (yes, during the pandemic!). From tips on finding clients, to pricing, retainers, and contracts, this interview is packed with the kind of freelance advice no one else in the industry is talking about.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF130 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What if brands think I'm an idiot?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 May 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Sometimes the thing you *think* you’re stuck on is just a distraction from what’s really holding you back. In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A, technical designer Jaylene asks where to find freelance clients. But over the course of the conversation, she realizes that it’s not finding the brands that’s most challenging, but putting herself out there to pitch her services.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFF129 How this designer freelanced while starting her fashion brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Launching a fashion brand is expensive. And many designers who dream of having their own brand find themselves stuck in this dilemma: You need to work to support yourself while you’re starting your brand. But a full time job hardly leaves any time to work on your line! In this interview, Atlanta-based sustainable designer Christina Yother shares how she launched and funded her fashion brand while working full time, freelancing, and navigating the effects of the pandemic on the fashion industry!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD128 Saying Goodbye to the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

This is a very special episode--and the last episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. But don’t worry. Better things are coming, and we hope you’ll be along for the ride! In this episode, Heidi & Tara chat about the future of Successful Fashion Designer, and what this huge change means to you.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD127 How this 22 year old designer got featured by Vogue

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

This is my second interview with Noémie Jouas, a young designer who started creating bespoke dresses from her college housing in small-town Scotland. Since I spoke to her last, she’s had her first runway show, adapted to the pandemic, and gotten her work featured by both Teen Vogue and Vogue.

For links to Noemie and her original interview, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD126 How to Find Freelance Fashion Design Clients

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, and charging a retainer for consistent income! 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 clients for your freelance fashion business, this episode is a must listen.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD125 How to Start a Luxury Sleepwear Brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Canadian designer Alexandra Suhner Isenberg studied fashion in Toronto, London, and Paris. She’s worked for brands including Burberry, freelanced, and taught fashion. But when an antique men’s chemise became her favorite thing to sleep in, Alexandra was inspired to start her brand, The Sleep Shirt. Listen for her fascinating story and how she built a successful luxury brand based around a single garment designed to perfection.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD124 How this Pattern Drafter Grew Her Freelance Business with Generosity

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0500

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 this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Karen shares how she did it, and how she’s found happiness in an industry where she never felt she belonged.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD123 How This Power Lifter Launched a Muscular Men's Clothing Line

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0500

Atlas Menswear founder Aaron Woolf has been athletic his whole life. Although this father of 4 has been an entrepreneur in other industries since 2014, he never thought he’d get into fashion. But he was fed up with dress shirts that didn’t fit his muscular build. And when he started talking to other men at the gym about the issue, Aaron discovered that he wasn’t the only one who wanted a muscular men’s clothing line. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Aaron and designer Jessica Dixon share the steps they took to get from that first idea to a product they’re proud to produce for other athletic and muscular men.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD122 Working as a Freelance Pattern Maker (+ Tips on Starting Your Own Brand)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Shilo Byrd has been in the industry for a decade and a half, and she knows her stuff. She’s a freelance luxury 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 learn new skills, to networking in fashion and her advice for starting your own brand. Whether you’re a freelancer, starting your own brand, or even just curious about the fashion industry, this episode has something for you!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD121 How to be a fashion freelancer (if you don't know anyone in the industry)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

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. In this episode, he shares how he managed to carve a spot for himself as a fashion freelancer, and what he’s learned in the process.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Episodes you love: How to Become a Fashion Freelancer with Heidi & Marissa

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

To celebrate the new year, I'm sharing one of our most popular episodes EVER. Whether you caught this one the first time or it's new to you, listen for tons of practical advice from two 6+ figure fashion freelancers!

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Episodes you love: This 76 Year Old Worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. Here's her story.

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Since it's a holiday week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite podcast episodes! Judy Karp worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. This is her story.

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SFD120 How this accountant launched a handbag brand (with no experience or money)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Have you ever found yourself sitting at your day job, feeling like something is missing? Have you always been full of ideas, daydreaming about a more creative life? My guest on this episode, Tara, pursued an accounting career for stability. But she could never shake the creative ideas that came to her, tempting her to explore something new. When one of those ideas led her to sew a purse, the result inspired an entire line of handbags and a successful brand Tara is proud to call her own.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Episodes you love: This Dirndl Designer Grew a BIG Fashion Brand with a TINY Niche

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Since it's Thanksgiving week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite episodes from this past year. It's my interview with Erika Neumayer of Rare Dirndl. She's build a successful brand with a tiny niche, and she shares tons of actionable tips on how she did it. For the full show notes and links, head over to Successful Fashion Designer.

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SFD119 How to advance your fashion design career (from assistant to director)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Oni Auer is a design director and fashion career mentor in NYC. She got started in fashion by scoring a position with BCBG when she was a mere 18 years old. She had an associates degree, but no industry connections or advantages to help her get ahead. Since then she has worked with a huge variety of companies including Bebe and UnderArmour. In the interview, she shares the skills and strategies she used to launch her career, keep working through the recession, and advance herself to design director, in the category she wanted most, at a company she loves to work for.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD118 How to build a sustainable clothing line (in Latin America)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Juan Pablo Martínez is a Colombian designer who has worked in sustainability for more than ten years, and in the fashion industry for more than two decades. One of the first sustainable designers in Latin America, he has also designed for Christian Lacroix, owned a successful boutique, shown his designs at a New York fashion show, and now he works to help educate brands on sustainable fashion. He has consistently found ways to succeed in all of his endeavors, and in this interview he shares all of the valuable lessons he’s learned over his prolific career.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD117 How to quit your full time fashion job and start freelancing

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 10:00:00 -0400

*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 that remote work and flexible schedules can actually work for their business. And more employees are starting to realize that there are possibilities beyond that 9 to 5 grind! In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, I talk to Kristen Anderson. She’s a successful full-time freelancer, and she shares all the details of how she got here, what she’s learned, and what you can do to launch your freelancing career, and ditch your day job for good!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD116 How to start your fashion brand on Etsy (and then build an empire)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Anna Triantafellou designs fantasy couture dresses for girls, and her business is now so successful that she supports her family of 3 on only her income. If you’re thinking this kind of success is only possible for lucky people with trust funds, you’ll definitely want to hear Anna’s story. Coming from a traumatic childhood in her native Russia, Anna has worked hard for everything she’s created. You may not think you can start a clothing line on Etsy, but from dog clothes to tutus to high-end couture, she made it happen. Anna creatively adapted to every change and weathered every setback. Listen to the story of how she found her passion, fought for it, and forged her own path to success.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD115 How to Start a Clothing Line with (practically!) No Money

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400

When you think about starting your own clothing line, you probably imagine garments you designed completely from scratch gracing a magazine page or floating down a runway. But starting a fashion brand takes years and a major investment of cash. If what you really want is to get something of your own design out into the world, there are ways to get a taste of having your own line without the huge risk. In this episode of the SFD podcast, you’ll hear from Etsy success guru Jenni Waldrop of Fuzzy & Birch on how you can use the marketplace to start a clothing line with (almost) no money.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD114 How to Predict Textile Design Trends and Colors

Sew Heidi — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Understanding trends and the direction the market is going to go is vital for anyone working in fashion. Print and textile designers need to understand what consumers are going to be looking for next. Thea Perez founded Polychrome.Design to provide prints as true digital working tools for fashion designers. Along the way, she has honed a process for print and color trend research that gives Polychrome an edge in the fashion industry. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Thea shares how she started her business, how they bring beautiful new prints to the market, and the market research process they use to deliver beautiful, on-trend prints to their clients.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD113 How to fund your fashion brand with a freelancing career

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Mat Booth started his fashion career with a product design degree, some knowledge of sports, and a lot of passion. More than 15 years later, he’s a successful freelancer and has his own brand of men’s luggage and accessories. And he does it without living in a fashion hub. Hear Mat’s story of how he got into the industry, his shift into freelancing, and how he funded launching his fashion brand with his freelancing work.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD112 How to launch a shoe brand without any fashion experience

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Not all successful fashion designers go to fashion school. Lila Stewart used to do marketing in the music industry, and her husband Jeremy was a political consultant. But when they decided they wanted to start a business with philanthropy at its heart, they found themselves entering the fashion industry with zero experience. In this episode of the SFD podcast, Lila tells the story of how they built HariMari shoes from the ground up. From completely unknown to being carried in every Nordstrom’s in the US, Lila and Jeremy have learned so much about what it takes to launch a fashion brand when you have no experience in the industry.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD111 How to get a fashion design internship right after high school

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Like many people working in the industry, Emilee Goff always knew she wanted to go into fashion. But when she managed to score an internship with Scott Sports right after she finished high school, Emilee’s career trajectory changed in ways she never imagined. In this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares what she’s learned along the way.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD110 How to break into fashion design without going to fashion school

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Selena Leong has worked her way up from production associate, to product development, to technical design, to apparel design. Along the way she’s worked with brands on both coasts including Aeropostale, Forever 21, and even Ralph Lauren. And she did it all without ever going to fashion school.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD109 How to Get Your Designs into Production with The Chicago Patternmaker

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

If you want to see your garments and accessories in the hands of more than just a few customers, you need to understand how to get your fashion designs into production. On this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, patternmaker and designer Xochil Herrera Scheer of The Chicago Patternmaker draws on over a decade of experience to share what she’s learned about factories, production, and bringing your designs to life!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD108 How to Become a Senior Fashion Designer by Age 27

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the influx of major current events took over our collective awareness. While we know how seriously these issues are affecting the fashion industry and our individual listeners, we hope that you enjoy this break for a bit of normalcy.

From internship to senior designer by the time she was 27? Outdoor and motorcyle apparel designer Kelsey Runge did it, and in this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares exactly what she’s done to design her perfect career. She says she’s had a lot of luck, but it took a ton of work and smart moves to get her where she is today.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD107 What to include in a freelance fashion designer contract

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

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 as a freelance fashion designer. For the complete show notes, head to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD106 How This Designer Launched a Bespoke Dress Brand (while in college)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Noemie Jouas is a self-taught designer who runs a bespoke dress brand that keeps her steadily busy with several clients a month. She describes her business as “a dream come true!” The incredible part? She’s still in college! Learn how she got started, where she finds her clients, and the one thing she says has made everything she’s accomplished possible.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD105 How to Predict Fashion Trends (and work as a trend forecaster)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Note: This episode was recorded a few months ago, before the world got turned upside down. While we don't discuss how Covid-19 is affecting the industry, we hope you enjoy taking a break from the constant coverage for some fashion and normalcy.

Understanding trends is so important when you work in fashion. If you want your designs to stand out and capture your market, you can’t just know what’s big now; you have to know what’s going to be big next. That’s where trend forecasters like Wendy Bendoni come in.

From her two+ decades of experience in trend analysis and fashion marketing, including working at WGSN, Wendy shares why trends are the lifeblood of fashion, how trend forecasting has evolved over the past 20+ years, what to do if trend analysis sounds like work you want to pursue, and how as a designer you can sharpen your eye to spot what’s next in YOUR niche.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD104 What Is a Fashion Tech Pack (and do you really need one)?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic took over all of our lives. While we know your world may be turned upside down right now, we hope you’ll enjoy a break from the 24/7 coverage of current events for a little bit of fashion talk and simple normalcy!

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, you’ll hear from Belinda Jacobs of Tech Packs Co on what a tech pack REALLY needs, why they are SO important, and how you can be sure yours gets the job done RIGHT!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD103 How to Make More Money as a Fashion Freelancer (than in a full-time job)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Freelance pattern maker and product development specialist Alison Hoenes left her full-time job after just 3½ years in the industry to pursue a freelance career. Since then, she has perfected her niche, gone from zero customers to a steady clientele, and she now makes more than her full-time job working just 40 mostly-remote hours per week! Want to know how she got from fashion school to a freelancing dream life in just 5 years? Listen to this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD102 How to Copyright Your Fashion Designs and Protect Your Brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0400

How do you prevent your fashion designs from being stolen and safeguard your brand? And as a business owner, how do you legally protect yourself and your assets? On this episode of the SFD Podcast, you’ll hear from fashion industry attorney Andrea Sager on copyrights, trademarks, and other ways to be smart and protect your fashion designs, business name, and more.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD101 How to Build a Sustainable Direct to Consumer Fashion Brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0500

When you’re launching a label, there are so many options and details that it can overwhelm even the most savvy designer. One of the questions you may be asking is, “Should I sell my fashion brand wholesale or direct-to-consumer?”

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, you’ll hear from Ellie Mae Waters, founder and creative director of slow fashion brand Ellie Mae Studios. Through trial and error, Ellie Mae found that direct-to-consumer, small-batch, slow fashion was the best model to get her designs into the hands of both celebrities like Mila Kunis and everyday women who want modern staples made to last a lifetime.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How Ellie Mae got started in fashion (even after she decided university wasn’t for her!);
The ways the fashion industry has broken her heart, and why she stuck it out;
The ups and downs of the first year of her brand;
How one person almost destroyed Ellie Mae Studios from within!;
The winding path she took to perfect her business model;
The creative and practical reasons she decided to shift away from wholesale;
Who’s on her team and how they share the workload;
Why Ellie Mae Studios uses unusual pricing for their pieces;
And more!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD100 To Reach Your Goals in Fashion (and Life), Just Do ANYTHING

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0500

In this special episode, Heidi chats with her husband Marc about her journey in fashion. Heidi talks about the one thing that has contributed to her success more than anything else, and how you can do the same for yourself!

In this episode, Heidi and Marc talk about:

How the history of the SFD podcast mirror’s Heidi’s overall journey in fashion;
How Heidi broke into fashion with NO experience;
Her journey from that first step to the pinnacles of her career (so far!);
The most important factor Heidi credits with achieving her biggest goals;
Some of the “wrong” steps she took, and how they still played a role in her success;
How you can apply what she’s learned to your own career;
And more!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD099 Why this Startup Fashion Brand Makes Clothes for Short Men Only

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Steve Villanueva is an entrepreneur with a history of success in multiple industries. And, like at least 40% of men, he’s also less than 5 foot 9 inches tall. Frustrated with clothes that just weren’t made to fit short men, Steve set out to find a better way to design clothing for this underserved market. The things he discovered in his research and the unique approach he’s taken with his brand, Otero Menswear, may surprise you.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

Why not studying fashion in school may have given Steve an advantage;
One reason even the most talented designers can fail when they launch their brand;
One of the most important steps Steve took FIRST;
The cultural issue that drove their design concept;
Why it’s not just about making things shorter;
What Steve discovered about over 90% of men that helped his brand take shape--Literally!
Why Otero’s business model is difficult for retail… And why they forged ahead with it anyway;
The marketing challenges Steve wasn’t expecting;
What he credits for Otero’s miniscule number of returns;
Steve’s new strategy to change the retail game;
And more!

For the full show notes, including links to the people and resources mentioned, head to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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SFD098 How to Get a Better Job in Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Michele Mavi is a recruiter and Strengths Coach who’s worked with fashion job seekers for over 15 years. On this episode of the SFD podcast, she shares what she’s learned about landing the best fashion job for YOUR unique set of skills and strengths.

In the interview (which you’ll love), you’ll learn:

Why understanding your strengths is so important
Ideas you can use today to start identifying your strengths
How to search for the RIGHT job (not just A job)
The common résumé mistake that’s holding you back--and how to fix it
What employers want to hear from a candidate for any kind of role
Tips for how to make the most of your strengths even with your least favorite tasks
A super important way to stand out when you apply for a fashion job
Tips for working in a team with different personality types
And more!

For the full show notes, including links to all the resources mentioned in the episode, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD097 How to Become a Remote Fashion Freelancer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 10:00:00 -0500

Guests on the SFD podcast tend to fall into one of three categories: They’re employed by a company in the industry, they work as a fashion freelancer, or they’ve launched their own brand. In this episode, you’ll hear from someone who has done all three! If you’re wondering how to become a remote fashion freelancer, this episode is for you.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How Lily’s super specific degree helped her strong start in the industry
What it was like designing collections for factories in Sri Lanka
Her experience with the value of really knowing your niche and your customer
The unique way she moved from working for a company to starting her brand
How Lily managed to get her designs featured in major publications like Vogue--without hiring a PR company
Why she decided to shut down a successful brand and become a remote fashion freelancer
How she got started freelancing--and what she would do differently now
What Lily says was a major factor in her freelance success
How she stays busy despite not living in a major city
What she’s learned about pricing, getting clients, and the tricky waters of navigating freelance projects
And more!

For the full show notes, including links to everything mentioned, head over to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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Bonus: Freelancing Advice for the Fashion Industry

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 10:00:00 -0500

In this special episode, check out Heidi’s interview on the Spirit of 608 podcast. The interview, which originally aired in March 2018, focuses on her work as a freelance fashion designer, and Heidi doles out tons of valuable freelancing advice for the fashion industry. She talks candidly about her fashion journey, sharing the highs, the lows, and the lessons she learned the hard way on her way to creating work and a lifestyle she loves.

It was a direction she never expected to go, but now that she knows how freelancing can change a designer’s life, Heidi wants to share what she’s learned with YOU.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

Heidi’s journey from graphic design school to Successful Fashion Designer
Why having your own label may not be as glamorous as it seems
The “dream” jobs that Heidi walked away from
How she found her perfect fit as a designer
Tips for fashion freelancers looking for their first clients
How doing less as a freelancer actually helps you earn more
What you should do differently when you’re pitching for freelance work (or ANY type of job!)
Where to start when setting your rates
And more!

For the full show notes, including links to resources and people mentioned, head to the Successful Fashion Designer website!

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SFD096 Q&A: How to Become a Fashion freelancer with Heidi & Marissa

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 10:00:00 -0500

Have you been dreaming of beginning a freelance career, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve been freelancing for a while, but you still have a ton of questions! Between pricing, juggling projects, finding clients and resources, and more, it can be overwhelming to navigate the fashion freelancing world alone. In this special AMA episode, two 6-figure+ freelance fashion designers, answer YOUR freelancing questions.

For the full show notes, including links, resources, and more, head to Successful Fashion Designer!

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Bonus Episode: My Infertility Journey

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 10:00:00 -0500

(On this special episode, I get personal. If that's not your thing, no worries--it's back to fashion insider interviews on the very next episode!)

I got bad news spring 2017 when I was 35. My husband and I were in line at the airport heading to Costa Rica when my phone rang. It was my doctor with test results, so I answered with "I’m heading on vacation, don’t tell me anything, I’ll call you in 10 days." Instead, she blurted out, "you’re in menopause, and you’ll probably never get pregnant." In the middle of the airport, I burst into tears.

It’s been a long 2.5 years since we got that phone call, and my husband Marc and I have dealt with a lot. During this time, we have also learned that what we’re going through is actually REALLY COMMON. Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples, and female factor is more common than male. Since I know that the majority of my followers are women between 25-45, something like this will affect A LOT of you. And so I feel some sort of obligation to talk openly about it for a few reasons: ✅ Education and awareness (I had no idea this was an issue until it hit me) ✅ To help you feel less alone (this stuff can be taboo, but it shouldn’t) ✅ To give you a chance to share your story (and tell you mine). This week is Thanksgiving here in the US, and I’m happy to tell you that Marc and I have a lot to be thankful for. If you’re going through any type of infertility, my deepest thoughts are with you. I’m 100% transparent about what we’ve experienced and want to see this topic become more approachable for everyone. If you have questions, want a shoulder to lean on, or care to share your story, I’m here for you. Email me anytime.

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SFD095 How to Get Your First Fashion Design Job After College

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:00:00 -0500

When you first decide to work in the fashion industry, going to fashion school can seem like the one thing you need to score your dream job. But as many fashion graduates discover, completing that degree is only one step in the complicated and sometimes frustrating process of breaking into the industry.

In this interview, designer Kate Norkeliunas shares all the details of how she landed her first design job with a well-known company right out of college--without having to work retail, take unpaid work, or move back home!

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How she decided to change her major to fashion after pursuing a different field for 2 years
What she did to boost her chances of getting an interview
What she did for interviews that helped her stand out
The dream job that didn’t happen
How she scored her first design job right out of college
What it was like starting her first job for a big company in NYC
What she does as an assistant designer and the part she plays in the design and production process
The biggest part of her job--that she DIDN’T learn in fashion school
The biggest lesson from her first year working in fashion
And more!

For the full show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to our website, Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD094 This Dirndl Designer Grew a BIG Fashion Brand with a TINY Niche

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Is it possible to start a successful fashion brand when your niche is super small?

Meet Erika Neumayer Ehrat of Rare Dirndl. Her full time job is designing and selling dirndls. Never found yourself desperately scouring the web for the perfect dirndl? We’re not surprised! It’s such a tiny niche market, it may not seem like a sustainable business model. But by knowing her customer so well that she’s even given her a name, Erika makes a living creating something extremely special for a small but dedicated customer base.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

What even is a dirndl, anyway?
The smart moves Erika made early on in her business
What she learned from her years doing festivals and pop-up shops
Why Erika narrowed her already small niche down further…
...and even further, and how she got super clear on her ideal customer
The second ideal customer avatar that surprised her
What she’s learned about creating a website to sell your designs
How blogging on other topics helps her find her customers
How she handles returns and custom designs
The marketing strategy that works for her today
And more!

For the full show notes, head to the SFD website!

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SFD093 How to Land Your Dream Job in the Outdoor Apparel Industry

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Fashion is a tough scene. Even when you manage to break into the fashion industry, how do you get into your dream category? With so much competition for design jobs, it seems like luck can play the biggest factor in many designer’s careers. But what if you could make luck work for you?

In this episode, we spoke to Allion Juhasz. Allison has spent ten years in the industry, designing for big outdoor apparel names like Scott, UnderArmor, Obermeyer, and Ultimate Direction.

These opportunities were open to Allison because she made the right moves at the right times. She readily admits that she’s been lucky--but she shares tons of ways that you can become lucky too! Follow her lead, and boost your chances of getting to design for the category YOU want most.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How she got into fashion--with a bachelor’s in marine biology
How she got “lucky” with jobs--again and again!
Why she left her first dream job (and what she would have done differently)
Why she quit another job many designers would kill for--without a job lined up!
Her tips for networking when it doesn’t come naturally to you
How she has scored more great opportunities over the years
Why working for a big brand isn’t always the best option
How she spends her days in a smaller company with diverse aspects to her role
Details about the product design and development process
And more!

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD092 Should You Sell Your Fashion Brand on Consignment?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Sometimes it seems like there are as many ways to sell your fashion brand as there are types of fabric! But when you’re starting a fashion brand, should you sell your pieces on consignment?

On this show, you’ll hear from Sam Murkoff. Sam’s brand, Manhattan Knights, was born when he started refashioning vintage tee shirts for himself and his friends in middle school.

Sam got his brand where it is today by starting small, leveraging the ability to sell his work on consignment, and knocking on a LOT of doors. In the interview he shares details on everything he did in the first few years of launching a fashion brand.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How Sam transitioned from making shirts for his friends to selling to the public
Why his brand was a little too niche, and what he did about it
How he self-funded the early days of his brand
The hugely valuable job that most people underestimate
How he chose the first factory that produced his designs
The little ways he made his pieces feel more upscale
How working with a showroom helped evolve his brand
Why he let go of one of the core tenets of his original brand
The pros and cons of selling on consignment as a new designer
The CRAZY way he got the word out about his brand
And more!

It started with tee shirts

Despite a lifelong interest in fashion, Sam Murkoff didn’t intend to become a fashion designer. In his early teens, he cut up and reassembled garments, infusing his own unique style into clothes for himself and his friends. When he got to college, he majored in theater and began working in luxury retail. Aside from a little screenprinting, design wasn’t really on his mind. But when he realized he needed a creative outlet, he started making shirts again. That’s when Manhattan Knights really began.

NYC Streetwear

Sam quickly discovered that there was more interest in the clothes he was creating than just his inner circle. When the screen printer he’d been using encouraged him to get his work out there, he started offering his designs on consignment at small boutiques.

This first line of streetwear, which played on his private school experience and satirized some major brands, came to be known as Cease & Desist. It appealed to a niche New York audience that grew his confidence and convinced him to make a real go at launching a brand.

Bold Moves

Since that first success, Sam has faced a steep learning curve. He’s continued to sell his work on consignment, worked with a showroom, and changed his production methods repeatedly. He’s now designing clothing that takes the sardonic humor of his early designs to a cut-and-sew line that transcends season and defies description. He’s had to pivot over and over in the process of creating a fashion brand that can actually sell. He also made one of the boldest moves we’ve heard of to publicize his fledgeling label!

Through it all, Sam has kept his eye on the goal of taking his bold inspiration and irreverent sartorial attitude to a wider market, without losing the essence of where Manhattan Knights began.

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD091 100 Ways NOT to Start A Fashion Brand: These Guys Learned Firsthand What Works and What Doesn't

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Starting a fashion brand from scratch is a massive challenge. And when you don’t have big investors and influential connections, it can seem impossible. But these three young entrepreneurs found a way to beat the odds and make their brand a reality.

Meet Salvatore Graci, Angelo Acquista, and Luca Graci, founders of luxury streetwear brand CSNV (Casanova). Their passion and seemingly endless determination helped them take CSNV from just an idea to the runway at LA Fashion Week and beyond.

It sounds like a fairytale, but it wasn’t an easy journey. They share their highs, their lows, and the many lessons they learned along the way!

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

The first steps Salvo, Angelo, and Luca took when they decided to launch a brand
How they made cold emailing work for them
The personality traits that helped make them successful
What moves helped them grow their brand’s exposure--and what fell flat!
How they went about finding factories that could produce their designs (when searching on the internet got them nowhere!)
The marketing campaign that failed, and how they regained their footing
Why they turned down a huge investor
How they got ready for LA Fashion Week
When they quit their day jobs
And more!

“WHY NOT?”

Luca, Angelo, and Salvatore were all less than 24 years old when they decided to turn their passion for elevated, Italian-inspired streetwear into a label of their own.

It started with a phone call. Salvatore and Angelo had joked about starting a fashion line since high school, but a few years later, Salvo called Angelo and told him they should really do it.

Angelo’s response? “Why not?” They had no experience and no real connections in the industry when they started. Yet in less than two years they went from cold-emailing influencers from Instagram, to being invited to LA Fashion Week.

IT WASN’T ALWAYS EASY

The road wasn’t without its obstacles. The guys recall starting out with optimism and enthusiasm, but they had plenty of setbacks. They sent hundreds of emails that never got a response. They made trip after trip to Italy to search for factories and suppliers, spending their savings and coming back exhausted, with nothing to show for it.

“We’d come back from a trip and feel like we're still at zero. We're like, what? We just spent so much money, we spent so much time and effort... and yet we're still at zero. So what do we do?”

What they did was keep on going. Although they all had times where they wanted to give up, eventually they found their footing, and gained the traction they needed to turn Casanova into a successful brand.

DISCOVERING WHAT’S NEXT

The guys and their brand are still evolving. Since recording the episode, they’ve rebranded again, and they’re still working on new pieces and new ways of getting their designs seen all over the world. One thing’s for sure: from “No way,” to the jetway, to the runway, these three were relentless in pursuing their dream. And it’s just the beginning.

Resources & People Mentioned

CSNVstudio.com
CSNV on Instagram

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SFD090 How to Stand Out in Your Fashion Career (and Always Get the Job Offer)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Whether you’re still in fashion school, or you’re looking toward your next opportunity, you’re probably wondering how to stand out in your fashion career. In such a competitive industry, it can feel like an uphill battle to even get noticed by fashion hiring managers among stiff competition.

On this episode, we talk to London designer Barbara Houghton. With over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, Barbara has been on both ends of the hiring process, and she wants to share what she’s learned about standing out in fashion and always getting the job!

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

Important things to look for when choosing a fashion school--because not all programs do this!
The downside to working for high-end brands early in your career
What Barbara did before the interview for her first job to give herself an edge (it’s something you should definitely be doing, too!)
How Barbara survived her first job in London, and the realities of starting your fashion career in a major city
The super creative way Barbara scored her next job as a fashion designer
Her experience in a super creative role… and why she decided to leave it
How she transitioned to working for a brand she really loves
As a hiring manager, the top things she looks for when interviewing potential hires
And more!

EVOLVING SUCCESS

From landing her first job in the fashion industry before she even finished fashion school, to working as a senior designer for a major supplier, UK fashion designer Barbara Houghton knows what it takes to get noticed by employers in the fashion industry. Over the course of her career, Barbara has gone from an assistant job she compares to The Devil Wears Prada to leading a division for one of the biggest suppliers of UK highstreet fashion.

Through creativity and an intelligent and intentional approach to the job market, Barbara has been able to consistently move forward in her career. She has managed to always land that next great opportunity as her goals and desires have evolved.

BREAKING IN

Barbara still recalls feeling lucky to have found a job in fashion starting right after graduation (and she tells us how she did it!). Barbara didn’t have the advantage of her family paying for her education. So when she graduated from fashion school, she had to begin repaying her loans while surviving in London on a shoestring salary.

That first job was incredibly demanding, with long hours and little reward. But putting in her time and giving 100% to that entry level position was worth it--when she was ready to move on, she was told she was very employable, because she “had worked in one of the hardest places there is to work.”

MAKING OPPORTUNITIES COUNT

Barbara happily moved on to bigger and better things, from creating collections start to finish for a highstreet boutique, to spotting trends for Miss Selfridge. She traveled the world as a freelance fashion designer for brands like New Look, Tesco, and Joy, before moving on to building and running a successful department for a major highstreet supplier.

Barbara’s hard work and creative moves have taken her far in her fashion career. With a little determination and Barbara’s smart approach to job success, you too can stand out, upgrade your fashion career, and score the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of!

Resources & People Mentioned

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Episodes You Love: SFD006 Job Hunting & Resume Advice for Fashion Industry Professionals

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired June 12, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved!

In this episode I’m chatting with Chris Kidd, founder of Style Careers, the largest fashion only job listing site. With inside access to fashion industry employers and exposure to job seekers at their career fairs, Chris has learned what works - and what doesn't - in the job hunting process. We discussed the importance of presenting yourself as a modern candidate, what sectors of the industry are booming, and the most important information to include on your resume.

You will learn:

What the first inch of your resume must include to catch the employer's attention
What parts of the industry are dying, and what parts are booming
Guidance for young job seekers and advice for breaking into the industry
Advice for older job seekers to stay up to date and relevant
The importance of taking risks
How fashion is competing with other "must have" items and why designers need to be aware of this
Why the fashion industry is in a rut and what designers need to do to break out of it

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Episodes You Love: SFD075 How to Be a Lingerie Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired November 26, 2018, was nominated as one listeners loved!

Being a lingerie designer is its own unique and interesting niche of working in the fashion industry. There are tons of different things you have to think about compared to designing, let’s say, shirts or jackets.

But it’s a pretty cool job! Laurie Van Jonsson knows this firsthand. From launching her own lingerie brand that was sold in TopShop to working for other companies, she knows the ins and outs of being a lingerie designer.

Her 15 years of experience make her an expert in this category, and in this interview, she shares it all. From how she broke into the lingerie industry, how she sold her designs to global retailers, and how she ultimately became a freelance lingerie designer.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Designing within constraints and restrictions in the lingerie design industry (that’s how she found her niche!)
The mistakes (many people make) of trying to cater to too many markets
Working with large manufacturers as a lingerie designer
Having the passion and belief in your product to sew it all yourself (by hand!)
How to be the lingerie designer that stands out with major retail buyers (being “pest-like” was described as a positive trait here!)
How Laurie started blogging, grew her business, wrote and published a book, and managed the supply and demand for niche lingerie sizes.
How Laurie’s freelance work built off of the momentum of her other projects
The mistakes people make when starting their own fashion brand
Advice on the best way to start strong, save time, and save money
Working with people as a freelancer in the lingerie fashion industry
Setting clear expectations and scope with freelance clients
How Laurie built a foundation of inbound referrals that led to projects
The challenges of working with people across the globe
And so much more!

Freelance Designer with Lingerie Leanings

Laurie van Johnson, a lingerie designer who started out in the industry back in 2003, first worked as a lingerie designer for brands, but quickly built her own brand of full cup, small back bras that she's sold throughout the world, including TopShop. Laurie now works as a freelance fashion designer working with other startup brands to help them launch labels and get patterns, grading, and tech packs all in order so that their bras and lingerie fit perfectly. After fifteen years in the fashion industry, she has great stories and loads of advice for freelancers and budding branders alike.

Laurie has a rich history in the fashion industry. She studied Fashion and Textiles in school, and focused her obsession with detail into lingerie and swimwear as soon as she could. She focused her expertise on a small niche of the lingerie market, and quickly became an expert in the industry. She wrote “How to Become a Lingerie Designer” in 2012, and currently specializes in working with startup designers.

Advice for Every Fashion Designer

Laurie draws up designs, writes spec sheets, produces tech packs, and provides consultation for the startup lingerie designers of the world. She launched Van Jonsson Design again in September 2018, and she writes technical books, design sheets, and design patterns full time. Laurie spoke about finding her niche, what to charge freelance clients, and how she stood out with major retail buyers. Her passion for her craft is contagious and we know you’ll love hearing about her experience in the lingerie design realm!

Resources & People Mentioned

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Episodes You Love: SFD078 Working with Factories as a Freelance Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired January 7, 2019, was nominated as one listeners loved.

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 yourself, and she shares step by step her best advice to do this.

In her 20+ years in the industry, Heather has worked for brands like Target, LL Bean, REI and Talbots. She now runs a team of 9 full time fashion designers located around the world while working remote from her home in south Florida.

And it all started with one freelance gig from LinkedIn.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we will cover:

The simple change you can make to your LinkedIn profile to attract brands or factories looking for freelancers
How to turn one freelance project into many to get more work and make more money
What brands are looking for when interviewing and hiring freelance fashion designers
How to give your opinion and feedback about design without sounding pushy or negative
Why staying in touch with past coworkers and industry friends can make or break your success (even if you’re uncomfortable “networking”)
What Heather’s transition from working as an employee to working freelance looked like and how you can do the same
What Heather learned at her first (big!) freelance project for a Chinese company
How she made the decision to start hiring designers to help her
The skills Heather looks for in her own freelance candidates-for-hire
How Heather runs her freelance business and the freelancers that work for her

FROM 4H TO FASHION

Heather Royer has created a job for herself that is unlike anything we’ve heard of before here at Successful Fashion Designer. But like most fashion designers, fashion was just a hobby in her early life. But she did get an early start! Heather was in 4H when she was little (the kids club that does hands-on projects surrounding health, science, and agriculture), and loved the sewing aspect of the group. She started making clothing when she was 7 years old! We’d say “the rest is history,” but we’d be leaving a lot out (like when she worked for the park service in Alaska building hiking trails–how cool is that??).

Knowing she always had a passion for working in the fashion industry, she took fashion classes on the side, and then made the commitment to going to Rhode Island School of Design. She started designing kids’ outdoor clothes (talk about blending her loves), and then got a great first job as “just” an assistant–but she loved it! It was “the bottom of the barrel,” but she got great exposure to the industry that way.

THEN CAME THE FREELANCING

Heather’s freelancing career came about as more of a necessity–she wanted to move to Florida, but knew there weren’t going to be a lot of jobs in the fashion industry. So she took her fate into her own hands: she started working on her portfolio, working on her own projects, and branching out. She started her own jewelry line, and got a taste of business for herself. When one of her contacts on LinkedIn reached out to her about an opportunity, she was ready.

This is where her career path delved into the unknown. Much like her work for the park service, Heather made her own… fashion-hiking-trail, if you will. What started as a simple proposal for a factory in China for men’s cold weather goods turned into a huge project and eventually a team of 9 full-time designers working for her.

How? Partly the usual way: she gave it her all. She worked long long (long) hours, did tight turns, bent over backwards. But she also vocalized her ideas, drew on her previous experience, and eventually started outsourcing her workload to other freelancers, as well. Freelancing begets more freelancing! As much as she cringed at “networking,” she made it work with her friends and contacts.

SUCCESSFUL (FREELANCE) FASHION DESIGNER

Now that she’s the Vice President of Design and Operations for Weihai Luda Company, Heather is still looking forward. She has plans to build a private label, her own brands, and chooses to think of her company as an investment portfolio that she diversifies and keeps flexible. Heather’s rich experience building her own business has led to enormous insight into the life of a successful freelance fashion designer, and her advice is applicable to almost any fashion designer. She’s learned how to delegate, how to build a team, how to outline tangible results, and how to make sure things are getting done, all while acknowledging that the fashion industry is “not always glamorous. If you can see the humor in that, it’ll go a lot farther.”

We loved hearing Heather’s inspirational story–you really can create the job you want!

Resources & People Mentioned

Heather Royer on LinkedIn

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Episodes You Love: SFD053 4 Best Practices for Fashion Job Search Success

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired May 28, 2018, was nominated as one listeners loved.

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.

She shares her 4 best practices for aspiring fashion professionals, and her insights will surely make your job search process easier and more enjoyable. She also explains the common freelance/employee dilemma, how to get started with a talent recruiter, and the one area that should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews.

Shellie shares this advice in a transparent and honest way that you don’t want to miss.

Shellie’s best advice for presenting your portfolio in an effective way

A fashion professional’s most effective tool is their portfolio – a creative display of your most effective ideas and a showcase of your design process. Shellie explains that interviewers want to see your work in Adobe Creative Suite programs and how you complete your design process. It’s also critical to demonstrate through your portfolio where you draw your inspiration from.

Regarding the size of your portfolio, you can highlight your capabilities without overwhelming your interviewer. Including every project since your fashion school days may not be necessary – ensure you tailor your portfolio specifically for every company. Hear the full details on why portfolios can be your biggest asset when completed well by listening to this episode.

Resumes receive 6 seconds worth of attention – make yours stand out!

Resumes go through trends, just as every other segment in the fashion industry. The current best practice is to keep it simple! Shellie explains that many interviewers favor easy to scan, bullet-point format resumes. Results-driven resume language can also set you apart from the competition. Go beyond just a list of tasks that you performed! Be sure to explain if one of your designs became a best-seller, or if you increased revenue by a certain percentage.

Shellie also explains the importance of letting your recruiter and/or interviewer know about any gaps in employment that may be on your resume. It will come up in conversation, and it’s important to explain why the gap is present and what you were working on during that time period. Remember, the average interviewer only spends 6 seconds per resume, so yours needs to highlight your best achievements in a succinct, engaging way.

Perfect these interviewing skills and land your dream job!

After you’ve worked with a recruiter, fine-tuned your resume, and perfected your portfolio the final step is to interview in-person with an employer. If you chose to work with a recruiter, they will help prepare you for the interview because they know the client. It’s essential to research the company and know their product well before walking through the door.

You should also study your own resume ahead of time. Develop ways to explain your resume in an engaging, storytelling manner. Consider bringing printed tech packs, swatches, knits, or other physical items to supplement your portfolio and resume. Shellie explains, “Whatever physical items you decide to bring, they should show how you’re always drawing inspiration from the world around you.”

Keeping everything organizing, being authentic and relatable, and asking questions are sure to allow you the greatest chances of success in your in-person interviews. For more tips, don’t miss this episode.

This one step is key for success in your post-graduation fashion job search

The most important takeaway from this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is the importance of internships. Shellie says that “They’re so key to getting a position in the industry, and they’ll help elevate you moving forward.” Internships completed while in school and post-graduation will allow you to build your network and work on “real world” projects.

Even if they are unpaid opportunities, don’t immediately shy away from them. The academic credit and resume-building experience alone will put you light years ahead of students who have fewer internships under their belt. The sweat equity will be worth it, we promise. Don’t miss the rest of this conversation with Shellie, you’ll be glad you listened!

Connect with Shellie

Connect with Shellie on LinkedIn
Email Shellie
Atrium Staffing website
Follow Atrium Staffing on Twitter
Follow Atrium Staffing on Facebook

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Episodes You Love: SFD008 Freelance Textile Designer: How to have a Successful Career

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired June 26, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved.

Being a freelance textile designer can feel like a daunting process to tackle. It’s hard to figure out how to price your work and whether or not you should work with an agency or print house.

Which is why I’m so excited to share the latest episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast with Michelle Fifis, founder of Pattern Observer and creator of the Textile Design Lab, a blog and community that helps creatives grow their textile design business.

Michelle’s done textile work for Columbia Sportswear, Lucy Activewear, Jantzen Swimwear, Perry Ellis and had been featured in Stylesight.com, Elle Decor, and Nordstrom. In the interview, she shares how she got started and worked her way up in the industry, her strategy for leaving her full time job to start freelancing, and how she grew her blog into a successful online business. Michelle and I also talked about how to choose and start working with an agency or print house, how to stay motivated when you feel deflated, and not only how to price your work, but how to gracefully raise your prices.

You will learn:

-The role a textile designer plays in the fashion world
-The pros and cons of working with an agent or print house
-How to rediscover your creativity when you feel stuck
-The importance of having patience with your career growth
-How to stay up to date on trends if you don’t have access to expensive services like WGSN
-The importance of having a community and not working in a vacuum.

Guest Info & Resources:

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Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes – I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Episodes You Love: SFD025 Make the Most of a Fashion Sourcing Tradeshow

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 10:00:00 -0400

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired October 30, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved.

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 textile trade show visits. Learn what mistakes you should avoid, and how to walk away with the right fabrics, trims and contacts for your fashion brand.

Trish has worked with companies that support startup and indie designers since 2009. Her breadth of knowledge isn’t just around trade shows, but the business that goes on behind launching and building a successful brand.

From how to get started to ensure success (yes, it includes finances and costing) to how to make the most of your trade show visit, she’s extremely knowledgeable and graciously shared tons of tips during our interview.

If you’re launching a label, you don’t want to miss this episode. You’ll discover not only how to make your trade show visit worthwhile, but also hear Trish’s insights on making it as a startup designer.

You will learn:

When you should attend your first tradeshow (hint: it’s sooner than you think)
How to prepare for a successful show
Why follow up after the show is the most important part of building relationships
The difference between sourcing at a small show like DG Expo vs a large show like Magic
How to explain to suppliers what you want if you don’t speak the right lingo

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes – it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes – I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD089 How This Fashion Designer Balances Career and Being a Mom to 4 Kids!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 May 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Working in the fashion industry can be brutal. The long days, late nights, and cutthroat competition can make balancing a fashion career and motherhood seem impossible.

But the reality is that women everywhere are finding ways to make it work. While there’s no magic answer for every situation, there are many ways to balance a career in fashion with being a mom.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Karrie Foley. Karrie has a successful career as a freelance fashion designer, and has done it all while raising four young children. She’s here to share some of her secrets for success!

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How Karrie got started working in the fashion industry
Why a “top” fashion design school isn’t always the best option
How Karrie managed to grow her career without living in New York or LA
How she kept working after the birth of her first child
What she did to get back into the fashion industry after taking three years off!
How she jumped across fashion design categories and avoided getting pigeonholed
What Karrie believes have been the keys to her continued success (Hint: You can do this too!)
How she landed a great job right out of college
Why it’s worth it to be kind in an unkind industry
How Karrie is balancing her fashion design career with motherhood today
And more!

STARTING RIGHT

From a young age, Karrie Foley knew she wanted to work in the fashion industry. Like many young aspiring designers, she dreamed of attending Parsons or FIT. But when the time came for college, her parents encouraged her to stay open to other options. Karrie ultimately settled on the University of Cincinnati, and that decision would have a profound effect on the direction of her fashion career.

When she graduated, Karrie was able to turn an internship with Limited Too into a full-time job. From there, she went on to work for other big brands, including Disney Stores and Lane Bryant.

LIFE HAPPENS

When Karrie became pregnant with her first child, she knew things would have to change. As a full-time fashion designer, she’d been working long hours that she knew she couldn’t sustain once her baby was born. She originally planned to resign. But her hard work, and her great relationship with her boss, lead to a rare part-time position. That gave her the opportunity to work in the fashion industry while raising her first and second children.

Karrie did eventually take time off when she had twins. But when she was ready, she managed to jump back into the industry--with multiple offers!

BALANCING ACT

Today, Karrie works full-time hours as a freelance designer for Thirty-One Gifts. She puts a lot into her job, and still makes time to be there with her kids. While she doesn’t have a perfect life, Karrie shows us that it’s really possible to balance motherhood with a successful career in fashion.

Resources & People Mentioned

Karrie’s Instagram
Karrie on LinkedIn
Karrie’s Facebook
University of Cincinnati DAAP School of Design
Thirty-One Gifts

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SFD088 How to Build Your Fashion Business with Festival Vending

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 May 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Kimberly Ponniah didn’t take the typical route into the fashion world. Yet through grit and perseverance, she went from knowing almost nothing about the industry to running a successful fashion design business. She now works full-time designing her own line of accessories, Wild June.

Through years of experience, Kimberly learned how to use festival vending and more to grow a fashion brand from the ground up. From the euphoria of a successful launch to hating her business, she has been through highs and lows. Now, she’s sharing what she learned with you.

In the interview (which you’ll love), we will cover:

How Kimberly got started in her fashion design career
What she did to make her first-ever festival a success
What it’s like working with factories as an unknown designer
How Kimberly dealt with a factory that couldn’t deliver on its promises
Kimberly’s sink-or-swim moment--and how she managed to make the most of a product disaster!
How she used exposure at festivals to build her customer base
How Kimberly funded the early years of her fashion design business without burning out
What she learned from her experiences with trade shows, wholesaling, and working with a showroom--and what she wishes she had done differently
How Kimberly missed out on her dream account--Twice!!
How WildJune has evolved to earn 5X the income
The most valuable resources Kimberly relied on as a new fashion designer
And more!

FROM BUSINESS SCHOOL TO THE BUSINESS OF FASHION

Kimberly didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in fashion design. In college, she studied business. But she never quite fit in. After she graduated, she realized she’d chosen the wrong major. When she started traveling and fell in love with India, she knew she wanted to build a career that would let her spend more time there.

In 2011, after a lot of research and some fateful advice from a business advisor, Kimberly decided to start her own line of belt bags. Since she didn’t have any background in fashion, she knew she would need help. She started with an ad on Craigslist for a technical designer. That’s how she met Liz, who became an invaluable advisor and friend. Liz helped Kimberly learn the ropes and plan for the ups and downs of starting out as a new fashion designer. Together they finalized Kimberly’s designs and put her very first sample run into production.

Kimberly quit her job and let go of her apartment before she even received the first shipment of her new accessories. The day she received her products, she barely looked at them before putting the box in her car and driving ten hours to set up as a vendor outside Burning Man. She wasn’t even sure she’d be accepted as a vendor!

Kimberly’s courage paid off. She was allowed to sell at the bazaar, and that first festival was a huge success. Kimberly sold almost everything she had brought. But getting started in the fashion design business isn’t always smooth sailing.

FACTORY FAIL

Kimberly happily returned to India, and spent six months there looking for factories to put her line into production. Finding factories as an unknown fashion designer was hard work, and she had to figure things out as she went. It didn’t get easier after choosing a factory. Her first production run was delayed by months. And when it came, things got worse.

Kimberly had put down $7,000–a huge amount to her, yet only a third of the factory’s minimum order. And instead of the beautiful belt bags she’d been waiting for, she found herself neck deep in merchandise that was literally falling apart.

She could have let that setback derail her. Instead, she set out to get those belts sold. Not only did she do it, but in the process she even grew her brand’s reputation and following. “I was in it for the long haul,” she remembers. It was her sink-or-swim moment, and she asked herself, “Am I gonna sink, or am I gonna swim? I’m a swimmer. I’m gonna swim through this.”

LEARNING THE HARD (AND HARDER) WAY

At that time, Kimberly was working all kinds of “mindless” jobs in order to support her budding fashion business. She was physically exhausted, but she kept her mind on her business goals. Part of that was making her first visit to the MAGIC fashion trade show in Las Vegas. There she met Roger, the owner of a factory in Indonesia. He could produce her designs at a much better quality—with no minimums. This was a major turning point for her fashion design business. Now she had products that matched quality she wanted to be known for.

Although she had found a great niche market, Kimberly wanted to grow her business and branch out from the festival scene. She’d been vending at 13 festivals a year and was ready for a change. So, she brought her new designs to another trade show in New York. That show was another big success. Not only did she write a ton of orders, but she was also noticed by wholesale giant ShopBop.

Wholesale was a different animal. Although her belts sold well, Kimberly had to adjust how she did things. There were intense shipping requirements and major price point differences. She learned a lot about designing fashion accessories for production, but she also felt that it took a toll on her business.

When she realized wholesale wasn’t the right path at the time, Kimberly decided to work with a showroom. She got in touch with several and was excited to be accepted by her first choice. It was a big monthly expense at a time she didn’t even have her own apartment, but she believed it would be worth it. Then she found out there was an even bigger catch: the showroom wanted Kimberly to completely rebrand her business. And they only gave her a month and a half to do it.

As part of her contract, the showroom asked Kimberly to add multiple new designs, new types of accessories she had never made before, create a catalog, and design multiple seasonal collections. But the biggest change was renaming her company. Up to that point, she’d been selling her belt bags under the name Bohemian Hips, but the showroom told her that the name limited her accessories’ market. So she reluctantly--and expensively--rebranded her entire company under the name Wild June. When all was said and done she had invested thousands in the process. Unfortunately, the sales from the showroom were nowhere near what she had hoped.

Although she learned a ton about price points, customer needs, and making herself more marketable, Kimberly quickly realized that the showroom wasn’t the right fit for her fashion accessory business. She moved on, but it took time for her to fall back in love with her business.

LOOKING FORWARD

Kimberly persevered through all of the setbacks she experienced as a new fashion designer. She had started her journey prepared for years of hard work and no profits, and she made it through. Now, she runs her business full-time--and finally has her own place again! She found a balance with the festivals she attends as a vendor, and has time to be an artist. Looking to the future of Wild June, Kimberly’s thinking about trying wholesale again, and even launching a clothing line.

Kimberly is an example of what’s possible for new fashion designers who are prepared, determined, and willing to work hard to make their dream a reality. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

Resources & People Mentioned

Wild June

SFD087 How to Become a Fashion Merchandiser and Product Manager 👗

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0400

In this interview with Shelby Collins, we go a little off the beaten path of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast. Shelby is a merchandiser and works in product development--she knew right from the beginning that design wasn’t quite the right path for her, so she did a lot of self-exploration throughout school and found the right path for her through trial and error.

Besides Shelby taking a “non-traditional path” through the design world, and going into something other than design, I want you guys to pay attention to the exact thing that Shelby did to progress her career. She worked her way up--spent a lot of time working for The North Face in California, and now works for VF Corp. Shelby’s career trajectory did not come by accident! She started out in some pretty crummy administrative roles that she hated, but she worked her butt off, got noticed, built friendships and relationships and that’s exactly how she grew her career.

We talk about how she was mindful about creating these relationships in the workplace, and how she was always very intentional about showing that she was willing to put in the work and go the extra mile to stand out, even if it was a project that wasn’t that exciting. She’s experienced such amazing growth in her career--so pay attention to her advice because I know it can help so many of you go so far in your careers as well!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

How Shelby got her start in the fashion industry
The difference between the production / merchandise part of the business, and the design / development part of the business
How Shelby knew she wanted to get into merchandising (it all started with a 2007 Burton catalogue!)
Shelby’s first opportunity after college
How she proactively prepared for interviews
How Shelby navigated the “networking” world by authentically and genuinely maintaining relationships
What Shelby did in her Product Line Coordinator job
The one thing Shelby wishes people would ask her about working in the fashion industry

SMALL TOWN DREAMS

Shelby grew upon a farm in a small town in Colorado. She always loved looking at magazines and seeing how different things were from her day to day “real world.” Like a lot of us, she really enjoyed expressing herself through apparel--she loved the way she could almost change her mood and how she felt; how she represented herself to the world. So the logical next step after high school? Start in a design program in college (because it’s so hard to know which career path to follow in the fashion industry when you’re brand new!).

But it didn’t feel quite right. She was doing well, but she didn’t feel grounded in the creative space. As a math lover, she wanted more balance and logic thrown into the mix. She kept thinking back to her magazine-flipping days, and specifically remembered a 2007 Burton catalogue--and how disruptive it was. There were badass women in white snowboard gear sitting in mud, completely filthy after snowboarding all day. She remembered how the image had struck her, and knew she wanted to be the person making those decisions. So she checked out merchandising, and got a little closer to her dream.

BREAKING IN AFTER COLLEGE (ALWAYS DIFFICULT, RIGHT?)

Shelby’s last semester at college was a 12-credit internship. School helped her land the gig (a little), but she had to work her butt of to get it. She applied to around 50 internships, and two people called her back...but that’s just how it goes! She googled interview questions and made her dad run through the answers with her (anyone else done this? Such a good idea!), and landed an internship in the marketing department. Sure--it wasn’t the product creation team like she wanted, but she was open to her options. Shelby dug in, learned what she could, and navigated forward from there.

After she graduated, she got a job at the same company she had interned at, but it was in customer service--not her desired career path. But she kept grinding and excelling, and when the company acquired another women’s outdoor brand, an opportunity arose. She became brand coordinator, and so began the marathon of many hats. And she LOVED it. She did materials sourcing, approved material colors, did day-to-day communication with factories, worked with the marketing team on sales tools, organized photo shoots, and so much more. She gained visibility into all areas of the business, and even though the learning curve was steep, and she was scared and insecure every once in a while, she took a deep breath and did it, and learned a ton.

The brand went under and closed after a year, but she got an opportunity to stay on the marketing team on another project. This was another job she wasn’t crazy about, but it motivated her to find something that did make her happy. She reflected on the relationships she had built with her coworkers--she had always been scared of the “networking” word, but was able to connect in a genuine, authentic way with the people she saw every day. She had always been mindful of building and maintaining relationships, so asking her connections for what she needed came naturally and easily for her. “If you do the upfront work of keeping in touch with people frequently, it doesn’t feel as icky when you reach out for connections.” (Write that down!)

JOB HUNTING

The connections she had helped Shelby get an interview in the Bay Area, and she got a job as a Product Line Coordinator where she did...everything. It was similar to what she had done in her brand coordinator position before, but more specific: she prepared meetings, made grids / visual line plans, managed all documents (like the workbook, line plan, image approval), did data entry, managed tools, and had lots of exposure to things like fittings and being at the decision table (finally!). She had always been a detail-oriented person, but this job was perfectly challenging for her. She was promoted twice in her five years at the company.

HER SECRET?

Shelby was never too shy to request feedback from her coworkers and superiors. She constantly wanted to improve, and constantly did so. When asking for promotions and raises, she backed everything up with hard facts. She would talk about which goals she met, the steps she took to achieve those goals, and how she extended beyond those goals. She always focused on the ways she added value to the company, and made sure to always contribute in a positive way.

Shelby is in a new role now (a little over 6 months at the time of the interview) at VF Corporation, a company that owns North Face, Timberland, Vans, etc. She’s on the Innovation Team as the Senior Product Manager. She works on all of the brands at VF Corp., focusing on leveraging cross-brand projects that take personalization and customization to the next level. She’s loving it, and we couldn’t be more excited for her.

Shelby is full of valuable advice for anyone looking to get ahead in the fashion industry, and really anyone looking to level up their networking and interview skills (not to mention she’s a total inspiration in the work ethic department, too). Can’t wait to see Shelby shine in this new role!

Resources & People Mentioned

Shelby on LinkedIn

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SFD086 This 76 Year Old Worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. Here's her story.

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Judy worked in the industry way back in the 60’s and 70’s in New York and she has so many fun and inspiring stories about what her journey was like through fashion back then. Whether you’re listening for a fun flashback or for some insight into what the New York fashion world was like back then before you were born, you’re going to love this episode!

P.S. This interview was done here in my living room in Denver, and my terrier Lana was home and very excited that the ladies were talking. She doesn’t bark, but she’s definitely there tapping around (and chewing on a bully stick). She’s excited about this episode too!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

How Judy decided to start in the fashion industry
What it was like working in the fashion industry when she was right out of college in the 60’s
What it was like working for a t-shirt factory in New York (yes--a factory in New York!)
How the fax machine changed the lives of the sketches being sent!
How the car industry would influence the fashion industry
How Judy presented her ideas (sketching, sketching, sketching!)
Which celebrity wore her westernwear shirt designs!
How the fashion industry was different without Adobe Illustrator

FASHION SCHOOL IN THE 60’S

Judy Karp was like a lot of us in that she was always interested in art. She knew she wanted to study that (maybe become an art teacher?) But when it came time to choose a college in the 60’s, her counselor suggested Washington University in St. Louis. When she saw the fashion design course in the brochure, she knew she wanted to try it--she like sewing (“everyone sewed back then”), so she did her four years out there. This was back when FIT was a tiny little course, and RISD was somewhere out there. But Judy got her BFA and made her way into the world.

At first she got a job for Formfit Rogers, but then decided to move to New York. Formfit Rogers had an office out there, so Judy packed up her volkswagon and made her way out there! Shortly after she got a job as an assistant designer at Smartee--one of the first places to actually DO tshirts. Seriously--no one wore t-shirts back then (maybe to the beach), but she got to be on the forefront of creating that trend! Vogue and Harper used to come by the factory (yes, factory in NY) to check out the t-shirt trend. (Thank goodness Judy helped create the t-shirt as we know it--my life would not be the same without them!)

WHAT THE JOB WAS LIKE

As you might imagine, Judy spent a lot of time sketching. And sketching some more, and sketching some more. There wasn’t any way to do anything except by hand, she says. Doing things on a computer “wasn’t normal.” My, how the tides have turned! After working in New York until about ‘78, she made her way west to Denver, Colorado. She worked for Carmen westernwear and got to design western shirts for John Travolta in Urban Cowboy! Yes--he wore her designs!

Judy’s story really is a fascinating insight into the fashion industry in the 60’s and 70’s--you’re going to love it!

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD085 How this Mom Got a Tech Design Job After a 12 Year Career Break

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Nicola Osborne is a technical designer who got her break back into the fashion industry after taking 12 years off to raise her family. Getting back to any career after 12 years is a daunting task, but getting back into the fashion industry is an even more intimidating one. As Nicola says in her own words, she felt as though she was “clawing her way up a mountain.”

Nicola talks us through everything she did mentally, emotionally, and skill / learning-wise to get prepared and ultimately land her first opportunity back after her 12-year break. She talks through how she figured out which skills she needed to learn, how she started getting internships as a “non-traditional intern” (i.e. not a young college student), how she prepared her portfolio, and got up to speed on technical skills like Adobe Illustrator and tech packs, and also shares the technique she used on her resume so that the first thing brands saw wasn’t a big 12-year gap.

Nicola also talks us through how she bombed her first interview and exactly why it went so terribly, and what she did to better prepare for future interviews. Whether you’re struggling with your job search now, or you too have taken some time off and are breaking back in, there’s so much great inspiration and insight in our interview today.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

How Nicola got her start in the fashion industry
The different jobs you can get in the fashion industry
How she got into childrenswear (and how this niche helped her a lot)
How Nicola strategically chose her jobs in order to maximize her experience in the fashion industry
The terror Nicola felt when looking for jobs after a decade of not working in the fashion industry
How Nicola applied her determination and self-discipline to learn Adobe Illustrator and how to do tech packs to make herself more marketable
How Nicola’s self-directed practice portfolio leveled up her interview success
How Nicola got over her fears and just went for it
The differences Nicola noticed between the interviews that went well and the ones that went poorly, and what she’d do differently

NICOLA THEN AND NOW

Nicola Osborne is a technical designer for a children’s apparel company in San Francisco. She’s passionate about apparel and has worked for leading British clothing brands such as TopShop, New Look, and Next, where she helped bring the product to market for the right cost at the right time. Her wider experience working for vendors has given her hands-on knowledge of the garment development process, manufacturing systems, and order fulfillment. But she’s been in the industry for a LONG time, and has deep roots in it.

Nicola got started in the fashion industry as a fashion model while she was still in school. After she retired from being a model when she was 20, she knew she still wanted to work in the industry in a way that was more intellectually stimulating. She went to a two-year fashion design course in her hometown, fell in love with garment construction and pattern-making, and became fascinated with the technical / skilled side of clothing.

She went to a four-year course in fashion and textiles management, and learned all about fabrics, manufacturing, and the business side of the industry. She had never even heard of the garment technology / technical design job position when she first got started in school! But once she dipped her toes in the water, she knew she wanted more.

CHILDRENSWEAR?

Nicola got one of her first jobs as a junior garment technologist at New Look, a fast-fashion clothing brand. She got great insight into the whole process of getting the clothes made and into the customers’ hands, which is something a lot of people don’t get to do when working with factories in China. After New Look, she got a job at Next in the childrenswear department. While she wasn’t originally interested in getting into childrenswear, she ended up liking it and honing her niche--it became a specialty for her. There’s so much to keep in mind when designing childrenswear, and so many different body shapes to keep in mind when grading and sizing for infants up to 12 year-olds. Then there’s safety considerations--and once you’re in the niche, you’re quite specialized.

TIME FOR A BREAK

Nicola decided to take a break after she had her first child and her husband’s job took them out of the country. After a while, when the kids started school full time, she thought about getting back into work. Initially she didn’t think about getting back into the fashion industry--she thought about training for something else entirely! She had never heard of anyone having a part-time fashion industry job, and worried she wouldn’t be able to fit it in. But when she thought back on her 6 years of experience in the industry, she figured why not, and started looking at job postings. And that’s when she became “really terrified.”

The challenge of how to move forward was daunting for her. Things had advanced so much, and her role as a Garment Technologist didn’t really exist in the United States (where she and her family were living at the time), but she found that the Technical Designer position was something she could jump into with a little bit of work. But that bit of work was...Adobe Illustrator. Every single job asked for it, and she’d never used it before. So she researched and researched and signed up for courses, and whittled away at her skills.

Nicola worked hard to learn the technical side of the industry, and then made proof that she knew how to do it. Twelve years is a long time to be out of the industry, and she wanted to show people that she knew what she was doing. She took on self-directed sample projects to show interviewers that she knew how to do the work, which requires so much determination! After a lot of hard work, she started to put herself out there. She took on a couple of internships that ignited that passionate spark for the fashion industry, and really kept her going through the hours of going through Illustrator tutorials.

Through it all, Nicola kept going because she didn’t want to NOT do it just because she was scared. She told herself that if she didn’t carry on, it would be stupid. If it didn’t work out, it would be better to say that she tried rather than not. She immersed herself in learning about the industry again--learning the language of the industry and reading what was going on, so she could talk about it in interviews.

AND THEN THERE WERE JOBS

Working on her resume was another way Nicola leveled up her professional presentation. She picked up tips and tricks online and got an interview every single time she submitted a resume. Interviewers constantly said that they were impressed with the way she clearly outlined what she did while she wasn’t working. Her “Career Development” section of her resume was a real game-changer, and her “Courses” section, too. She was able to show that she had been working hard the last few years!

Yes, she bombed an interview. But the buzz she felt afterward was a good one...she was back into it! The interviews after that were better, and she pushed her boundaries and learned a lot. Now Nicola has a job that she loves (totally cried when she got it--and we don’t blame her!), and they chose her because of all of the self-directed career development that she did. She proved that she’s willing to work, and wants to better herself constantly.

Resources & People Mentioned

Nicola Osborne on

SFD084 How to Become an Event Planner for New York Fashion Week

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:00:00 -0400

Emily Burton lives in Georgia, is barely 5” tall and has a thick southern accent. She’s pretty far from what you would coin as a stereotypical “fashionista”. But she’s a spitfire of a woman and through pure perseverance and hard work, built an event planning company that now works with brands at New York Fashion Week.

Her journey is long an inspiring, from the days she lived paycheck to paycheck and knocked on boutique doors to offer pro bono styling, she tells it all in this interview. Emily has faced a lot of no’s and has had many opportunities to give up, but her sheer passion and drive led her to success.

Whether you want a behind the scenes glimpse at what it’s like to be behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

The overview of Emily’s rich history in all things design, and how she landed as an event planner and stylist for New York Fashion Week
How having the guts to work *pro-bono* showcased her talents and proved her skill
Why she always has contracts--even (especially) when it’s pro-bono work
How starting small got her on the right track
Why her mentality and never taking “no” for an answer is something we should ALL be doing
The BTS of planning, styling, designing, and coordinating New York Fashion Week
How New York Fashion Week and the goal of the designers have changed over the years
Emily’s role in relation to the designer in the design process
How Emily turned “Nos” into “Not right now,” and persevered until she was successful
Emily’s opinion on taking time for yourself mentally and emotionally and how to take care of yourself first

START SMALL

Emily Burton does event planning and styling for New York Fashion Week. BIG WOWs. But Emily started off so small--she lived paycheck to paycheck back when she first got started, and she had to literally go knocking door-to-door to find people she could do free work for just to get exposure, portfolio work, and resume experience. Emily came from an interior design background, and after a while, she got bored with it and wanted a change. In this episode of the podcast, she talks about that change--how she did it, and how it didn’t come easily. There were a lot of tears, no’s, and moments when she wanted to give up.

Emily lives in a small town in Georgia--not a fashion hub! And she makes her career work. Yes, she travels--but she does most of it from home! I mention this because I say this all the time--you can work in the fashion industry anywhere. Persevere, have confidence, and keep working hard, and you really can make it work. Emily’s story is inspiring in so many ways, but especially for this reason--she doesn’t take “no” for an answer, and she’s making it happen for herself. Emily is a passionate woman, and she does a great job of pulling back the curtain and sharing the unfiltered truth.

After majoring in interior design in school, Emily worked as an interior designer in Atlanta doing commercial and residential. After the economy crashed, losing her job, and moving for a new job that she hated, she knew she had to get back to design. When she saw The Wedding Planner (that J-Lo movie), she fell in love with the idea of event planning, and knew that was where she wanted to go. She wanted to be the “interior designer for your event,” because, as Emily says, “Fashion and the event industry is really a happy marriage.”

So she did what any hard-working, passionate woman would do: she worked for free. She knocked on doors, offered her styling and planning services, and kicked ass doing it so that she could build up her portfolio and gain exposure. She would pay photographers and models with her own money when she had to, because she wanted them to know that she valued them, knowing that karma would have her back in the future. “If you create a positive working relationship with your vendors, they’ll want to work with you, and they won’t feel used.” She built experiences, built relationships, and then started getting local contracts to shoot mini magazines, which turned into more referrals, and then the dominoes toppled.

HOW TO START CHARGING WHAT YOU’RE WORTH

Emily talks about the intricacies of transitioning from working for free to asking to be paid for said work. Yes, she says, it was a struggle. You have to be strategic. What she did was make her craft more tangible--she always let her customers know the exact value of what she was giving them--on paper so they could see. “To get your foot in the door, you can’t disclude doing pro bono work.” But don’t do too much, she says--set a cap for each year, and don’t go over it. Do it on your terms.

Emily is full of great advice that she’s lived and succeeded by. You reap what you sow. Do a good job, treat people well, live your dreams, and do well. Fill up your pipeline and the cards will fall the way they may. And the one that kept coming up? The big one?

“Don’t take no for an answer. Instead, take it as not right now.”

Maybe it’s not the right time for something, for whatever reason. But believe in yourself, and try again in the future if it feels right. “Never take no for an answer of where you want to be in your career.”

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

Since Emily set herself up for success in terms of putting herself out there and networking, she worked her way up to event planning for the big kahuna: New York Fashion Week. And it’s every bit of the “wild and crazy ride” that Emily says it is. There are 6-9 designers that come down the runway every day, split into two or three shows. Emily and her team are in charge of...everything. Gathering information, coming up with a concept, solidifying key vendors (venue, bartender, marketing materials, color concept and design).

Emily builds a team of front-of-house and back-of-house people, and there aren’t as many of them as you may think. But the timeline is airtight: there are spreadsheets and notebooks filled with minute-by-minute schedules of who is supposed to be where: models, hair and makeup artists, VIPs, publishing crews, production, and photography. She transfers her vision to a few notebooks and makes very specific vision boards so that the team can wrap their heads around the direction they’re going and SEE the end goal. It’s madness, but very well organized madness.

TEAMWORK

Emily has been hustling and working hard her whole life, and knows what she wants. She’s always made it a point to know the expectations, and exceed them. She expects that same dedication from her team of people that she works with--and strongly recommends that anyone working in the industry embrace the same dedication and drive. Certain companies require different things, different designers have preferences. Learn about your clients, and customize services for them. Develop trust in your relationships and make a good partnership. Doing an exceptional job by going above and beyond goes such a long way, and that alone is extremely valuable.

Emily’s strongest advice to people in the fashion industry? Never say never. Talk to people, knock on doors, and ask questions. And never feel guilty as an entrepreneur about having time to yourself!

Resources & People Mentioned

Emily Burton Designs Website
Emily Burton on Instagram @emilyburtondesigns
Emily Bu...

SFD083 How This Designer Built a Vegan Luxury Shoe Brand

Sew Heidi — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 08:36:35 -0500

Bebe Mehr’s fashion entrepreneur journey began in 2001 while she was in college and started selling stuff on Ebay. Little did she know, that 13 years later, after a lot of different fashion careers, it would turn into her own line of vegan luxury shoes, Cult of Coquette.

Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Bebe’s journey isn’t that surprising. But it doesn’t mean parts of it weren’t insanely hard and that she hasn’t faced her fair share of failure while she built her company.

Bebe walks us through, step by step, how she funded her line of vegan luxury shoes, how she found a factory to produce her designs, and how she built a customer base to sell them to.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

Bebe’s start and thoughtful trajectory in the fashion industry
How starting small helped Bebe get off on the right foot
How, even despite her success, she ran out of money, and what she did next
Bebe’s presale through a crowdfunding campaign, and how it went
How presale is going to be part of Bebe’s business’ future (it’s a pretty good model!)
The logistics of her factory production, and how she found one that she really liked and was ethical (and female-owned!!)
The misconceptions of overseas manufacturing...it gets a bad rap but Bebe has some words for us
Bebe’s email marketing strategies (pretty minimal actually! Because she found her niche)
The college affiliate program she’s rolling out, and how that will work
How Bebe has educated her customer on her ethical and sustainable practices, and her women-empowering focus
How Bebe’s customers deal with her presale timeline in the age of Amazon two-day-shipping
The one thing people never ask Bebe about working in the fashion industry that she wishes they would
And so much more!

INTENTIONAL VEGAN LUXURY

Bebe Mehr runs a line of vegan luxury shoes called Cult of Coquette. Her journey got started way back in 2011 when she was in college selling stuff on eBay, which turned into her running a boutique, which then turned into her realizing that there was a huge gap in the market for vegan luxury shoes. She knew there were a lot of high heels and shoes out there that just happened to be “vegan,” but it was just because they were cheap to make. There was nobody out there doing it intentionally, creating an exceptional line of luxury shoes and cruelty-free products. So she decided to give it a go and do it herself.

It all started in 2014, and over the last 4-5 years, she’s had some major ups and downs. She’s learned what works and what doesn’t. She ran out of money. She had to go back to work and learn the ins and outs of the industry, do some fashion styling, and save up money to launch again. In 2018 she re-launched her brand, and she shares her story with us here on the podcast. She’s really engaged with her customer to find out what they really want before sending anything into production, started small, and found the right manufacturers to partner with. If you have any interest at all in launching your own brand, Bebe’s insight is going to be super valuable to you--use her wisdom and learn from her mistakes to make your dream a reality!

ALWAYS THE ENTREPRENEUR

Bebe started Cult of Coquette, a line of women’s cruelty-free footwear, in 2014. Her start in the industry was an online business when she was in college, selling things she’d find in China Town in New York. Then she ran a boutique for many years, but after a few years of that, she decided it was time for a brand new business. She had gone to school at FIT in New York for a year and studied Merchandising. She had thought about being a full-blown fashion designer when she was younger, but when she saw the stresses involved, she thought perhaps she’d prefer the business-side of things!

While she was running her online eBay store in college at FIT in 2001, her dad called her up one day. He was going to buy a retail space, and wondered if she wanted to open a boutique there. Her online business was really successful, and she was in school to one day open a boutique, so she figured...why not just start now? It was a hectic time in New York (right after 9/11), and she figured if she had the opportunity to open a boutique before finishing school where she was learning to do so… she had to jump on it. She had the boutique for about 8 years, and then...stopped eating meat.

MORAL COMPASS REORIENTATION

So she’s vegan, now what? Well, that meant there was a conflict of interest against her moral compass to sell fur and leather products in her boutique, so she stopped. And that got her thinking: there are so many opportunities in LA, and so many people making their dreams a reality. When she saw a pair of Louboutins she liked, but didn’t want to purchase because they were real leather, she saw an opportunity. “Why don’t I just start my own line of shoes?” and “What do I have to lose?” turned into 500 pairs of cruelty-free luxury shoes.

It turned out vegans all over the world were desperate for something special like this. Bebe thought of everything: the packaging was beautiful, the experience was beautiful, and not to mention the shoes. Bebe noticed the things she liked about luxury brand shoes, and kept those details in her own vegan line. She got a great reaction, and great exposure from vegan celebrities with magazines ended up contacting her without her even trying (literally...she just used a couple hashtags on Instagram). But then the money ran out.

There are so many costs to running a business--we’ve all been told that before. Storage alone was a huge one for Bebe! Then there was the time to go get the shoes and ship them out, and all of the other costs as well. “You have to have the money for a year in advance, and plan for the problems.” Bebe had a ton of momentum in the beginning, but didn’t have the the capital to keep it going when it slowed down, which can be harmful to the business. So she took a year off.

When she was ready for more, she decided to go about things a little bit differently. She did a ton of research and decided to do a presale of her second collection through a crowdfunding campaign. This was a costly endeavor in itself--targeting ads and emails and making a landing page, hiring a videographer, getting a new logo--everything. But she had been scraping and saving for a year, and knew this was what she needed to do. Then no one could figure out how to place an order...the user experience on IndieGoGo was so unclear in the context of the donation that no one knew how to place an order for shoes! She had a stressful 24 hours rebuilding her website, but was able to cover costs of production. “In business you have to expect the unexpected...have a plan B, C, D, E, F to Z.”

AND BOY, DOES SHE

Bebe has grand plans for the future and she’s sticking to her guns (her ethical, vegan guns, that is). She’s working on tailoring her email marketing to focus a little more on vegan stories and education. Spotlighting fashion trends and relating it back to her own product and things that her audience cares about. She’s even rolling out a college affiliate program: she’ll give a promo code to different influencers and bloggers to spread awareness about the option of vegan fashion, while giving these college entrepreneurs a little extra cash flow, and their audience a little more brand awareness. Bebe’s commitment to ethical, women-owned, vegan fashion really is inspiring, a...

SFD082 Fashion Startup Trade Shows: Are You Ready (and what's the cost)?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -0500

When it comes to trade shows, there are SO many questions. How much is this going to cost? How does this all work? How do I make sure it’ll be a success? Am I ready? In my interview with Danielle Licata and Kelly Helfman, we talk about these exact questions and more.

Danielle and Kelly are brand directors for the Magic Trade Show in Vegas, the Coterie Trade Show in New York, and so many other specialty shows for specific categories. Magic and Coterie are some of the largest fashion trade show events in North America, and these ladies know their STUFF! They’re so knowledgeable and so generous with sharing it here on the podcast--you’re going to love it.

We go through what these trade shows are doing to support new and emerging designers (like you!), how to decide if you’re ready, the details of the exact numbers of how much things are going to cost, and they’ve really set you up for success. We talk about how to prepare before, during, and after your trade show experience. I’m so excited about this episode--I know you’re going to love it!

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

DTC vs retail
What brands are doing to break in, get started, and stand out at trade shows (and how to know you’re ready)
Ways to connect with buyers to make sure you show up at the show in the right orders
Step-by-step advice to figure out if this is the right path for you
What kinds of brands Kelly and Danielle see coming to their trade shows, and what they’ve seen brands do to have a successful launch the first time around
The timeline to be expected
The foundation brands start with when jumping into a trade show
How seriously buyers take your Instagram following (!), and how clear you need to be on your brand story
How much of a foundation to build before getting results at a wholesale trade show
How much money to set aside to do trade shows!
What Danielle and Kelly think the future of trade shows will look like--they’re changing!
What collateral you need to go in prepared as a brand
The key to your success at a trade show: knowing who you are as a brand, and knowing where you should be positioned
How brands kickoff the successful trade show experience
Opportunities for startup and emerging designers
What Kelly and Danielle wish people would ask them about working in the fashion industry
And so much more!

DANIELLE LICATA

From being a Sales and Operations Manager at Stella McCartney and Vice President at Belstaff, Danielle Licata has earned her role as the President of East Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing Coterie, Fame, Moda, and AccessoriesTheShow. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury fashion category, Danielle is both a macro-thinker and micro-executer, allowing her lead and successfully builds her team. Danielle has had many hats; from opening flagship stores to increasing multi-million dollar revenues to curating trade shows from the ground up. Since her start at UBM Fashion (now Informa) Danielle has pioneered the launch of Beauty at Coterie and will be unveiling the company’s first stand-alone retail pop-up in Miami this July 2018.

KELLY HELFMAN

Kelly is the President of West Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing WWDMAGIC, Project Womens, and Pooltradeshow. Kelly leads the MAGIC Women’s events while balancing motherhood and advocating for work/life balance. With 15+ years of experience in fashion sales, marketing, and design, her career highlights include starting her own celeb-favorite, vintage-inspired clothing brand, launching Children's Club Las Vegas, and FWD New York (now merged with FAME).

LET’S TALK TRADE SHOWS

Kelly and Danielle are here to help you maximize your trade show experience and decide when and if it’s right for you. Through Magic and Coterie trade show, they provide a platform for brands to sell directly to buyers, holding your hand (if you need it!) to do what’s best for your business. They have about seven shows a year, so if you’re interested, there’s always time to get prepared for the next one--you don’t have to wait long!

Danielle and Kelly and their team help you decide if you’re 100% ready for a trade show, and in this episode, they talk about how to know if you’re there or not. You could be brand new to trade shows, but if you have a on-trend product at just the right moment in time, they’ll help you make it happen. If the market is saturated with your product, and they don’t feel like you’re ready, they’ll be honest with you!

WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?

Depending on which trade show you’re interested in, you could be looking at some different price points. Coterie is focused on Contemporary and Premium brands, and Magic is more for the mass market price points. Magic has a $5500-6500 all-inclusive price--that’s tables, chairs, etc. But it only fits 100 samples, so you have to plot out how many booths you might need. They offer booth sharing for a small extra brand fee that’s much more affordable than reserving a whole extra booth. Coterie has an $8300 price point, but there’s a high ratio of buyers to brands. Then you have to think about travel, branding, and shipping...multiplied by three times (the minimum number of trade shows Danielle and Kelly recommend committing to in order to see a favorable outcome).

Then when you’re setting up your booth, make it special! Are there mimosas? Is there a bouquet bar? Perhaps a wall of flowers? Music? Does it smell good? In this industry, you need to create your brand and create an instagrammable moment that people won’t forget. Don’t sit on your cell phone--engage with people! Get to know your neighbors! You can’t just put a rack up and hope something happens. A buyer is still a buyer, whether they’re wholesale or retail--Kelly and Danielle urge brand to create an experience no matter where they are.

USE YOUR RESOURCES

So you’re at the trade show. You’ve prepared for months, done the research, branded your booth, and created something special. There’s still (free!) opportunities to maximize your trade show experience! You can always ask questions of your representative or trade show consultant. Ask what complimentary opportunities you have at the show where you can market. Perhaps there’s swag bag participation, or a new brand highlight on social. There might be mannequins featured and they could be yours! Don’t just sign up for the booth and show up--always ask for more.

Kelly and Danielle truly are experts and they want to help. Such a dream come true! Trade shows can feel like a huge ordeal and time commitment--because they are. But they really set you up for success with their support and resources. They encourage you to reach out on social--take them up on that! They’re a valuable resource and a wealth of information.

This episode is a great listen whether you’re preparing for your first or umpteenth trade show, and whether you’re going to Coterie, Magic, or another trade show. They’ll set you up for success by telling you how to prepare before, during, and after your trade show experience, and get your brand into the buyer’s hands that want it!

Resources & People Mentioned

Coterie

SFD081 When Your Parents Don't Support Your Fashion Design Dream

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -0500

Kayla’s fashion career journey has been an uphill battle. First, her parents didn’t support a “artsy” degree. Not that uncommon. But then? During her senior year of highschool, her dad became incarcerated. There was no money to pay for her college education.

She explored alternate, more “practical”, career paths like accounting and biology, but they bored her. So she took a chance on a creative career and enrolled in a liberal arts state school because FIT was too expensive.

Her journey is long and trying. It involves many failures and countless rejection. Pretty much NOTHING has gone her way. But now? 3 years after college graduation? She works in Manhattan as a fashion CAD designer.

How’d she finally get her big break?

Learning the skills brands needed that she didn’t have (like Illustrator).

Doing an exceptional job and being a good worker.

And showing confidence...even when she didn’t feel confident.

Kayla’s story is inspiring and motivating. She proves that ANYONE can make it in this brutal industry...no matter your financial situation, your family situation, or how many times you hear no.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

The day-to-day responsibilities Kayla has as a CAD designer
What Kayla’s #1 software choice is
How Kayla finally decided to go to school for fashion...and how she decided which school to attend
How she earned the opportunity to continue with her internship and secured a job after graduation
How her parents felt about her first job offer right out of school
What she did after she was laid off...the first time
How she took initiative to learn what she needed to outside of school
How Kayla kept at it day after day to roll with the punches and keep going after her DREAM

SHE ALWAYS KNEW

Kayla grew up doing a lot of art. Even when she was young she would draw and sketch clothes on models! Without really knowing what a fashion designer was when she was little, she would swipe clothes out of the donation and trash in her house and cut them up to sew things for her sister. Sure, it was just a hobby at the time (her parents always reminded her)--but she never got sick of it.

Kayla’s parents were more focused on her education. Art (in any form--especially fashion) was never something they saw as a “serious career.” A creative career was a poor person’s job in their opinion...a “starving artist.” But Kayla was the definition of a creative person--she was a dancer, a painter, an artist. She even taught herself art techniques in the library in her free time.

In high school, she decided she had to tell her parents she really wanted to go to art school. She put a portfolio together, applied to a summer intensive, and was accepted (obviously). She knew this was her path and her passion, but how could she convince her parents that there would be a solid career path?

IT WAS TIME

After her father was incarcerated, the decision was almost made for her. It was a sad moment, but she realized something: her parents were no longer going to shoulder the burden of her college tuition, which meant they didn’t have a say in what she studied...so she went for it, all on her own.

She applied to a dozen schools and was accepted by ten (ok wow), and she ultimately decided on Framingham State University--it was an awesome four years. As a student she was just as involved and stellar and passionate as she had always been. The summer of her junior year, she was approached about an internship, and got it. It became her first job after graduation as an assistant technical designer...which wasn’t her first choice of a job. Kayla wanted to be mindful not to get pigeonholed within a field and never get out. But with her family’s expectations of her, she took a risk and did it. Her parents (needless to say) were proud.

BUT THEN...

Six months after graduation, working in her first fashion job, she was laid off. Getting laid off is never fun, but Kayla really felt the pressure from her family. She wanted to prove that she could do it--after all, this was her passion! She decided to view it as a blessing in disguise, and set her sights on New York. She found an internship there and moved in the dead of winter. She worked there for a week, and then it didn’t work out.

WHAT NOW?

Kayla had just moved to New York, and now didn’t have a job. This would defeat most people…but not Kayla. She put together a few part-time jobs, and worked on her portfolio. Sure, she was rejected left and right at different fashion design jobs she applied for. But she kept at it.

HELLO, OLD FRIEND

Kayla went back to the library. She worked hard on her portfolio and met with a career counselor. She connected with a temp agency and learned about what hiring managers were looking for, and made it happen. She focused on acquiring the skills she didn’t have, and honing the skills she did.

After hustling with juggling jobs and portfolio projects and applying for jobs, she nailed a job as a design assistant. All because she noticed where she was lacking, what skills she needed, and then made it happen. Kayla’s initiative and perseverance and grit are exactly what one needs to make a name in the fashion industry, and in this episode of the podcast, she inspires us all to make our dreams come true. We’re so grateful that she shared her story with us and we can’t wait to check in with her down the road!

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD080 Production & Manufacturing Processes for Small Batch Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -0500

Jessica Osborn is the CEO and founder of Privy Label, a company that teaches fashion entrepreneurs how to launch their custom Men's or Women's apparel lines through design, development, and small batch manufacturing in the US. They work with designers who have an idea but aren’t really sure where to go from there, or who get stuck somewhere in the process. She talks traditional vs. on-demand manufacturing, production process and timelines, the #1 mistake she sees brands make, and more.

For the complete show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, head to Successful Fashion Designer!

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SFD079 Three Years as a Freelance Fashion Designer: Advice on Pricing

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -0500

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 year and a half, and you’re going to love this recap of how she’s made it happen for herself.

Kimberly Dippel is a fashion designer with 13 years of experience working for surf brands like Oneil and Quiksilver. After having a baby and moving away from a hub, she wanted to try freelancing. After not having any luck with her existing contacts, she turned to UpWork where she successfully landed a few ongoing clients that kept her consistently busy.

But she’s way past her Upwork days! In the interview, Kim shares how she transitioned from piecing together small Upwork clients to the four clients she works with now full-time.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

How Kimberly moved from her Upwork hustle to her four steady clients
How she goes about pricing, structuring projects, and getting the wages she (and you!) deserves
What she learned after experimenting with charging less in order to build out her freelance fashion design portfolio
How she keeps track of her time (it’s a free app linked below! No more annoying spreadsheets)
Her advice on managing and controlling projects these days (communication is key!)
What she’s learned about charging a flat rate (hint: briefs, briefs, briefs!)
Where her clients are coming from now (and where you can look to get ideas for yourself!)

WHERE SHE WAS

In Episode 16, Kimberly was combing Upwork to get freelance fashion design jobs, and figuring out how to charge what she was worth. She had to comb through a lot of junk and low-paying gigs, but was able to find a few clients that she worked with consistently, and slowly built up her freelance fashion design portfolio.

Now, she still has one of her same Upwork clients, plus four more steady clients that keep her busy full-time! Kimberly has made such amazing progress in her fashion career since we last spoke that we had to catch up with her--and boy, did she learn some lessons along the way.

Kimberly tells us about one project that she took on to focus on building out her freelance portfolio, where she learned some important lessons about valuing herself and her work. It was her first really big job (30 full tech packs and design!), and she was getting ripped off. But she doesn’t regret the lessons she learned from that: freelance is a different animal--one that comes with growing pains and zero step-by-step instructions. She (and everyone!) is always learning how to grapple with the learning curve gracefully.

THESE DAYS

Kimberly has some awesome advice for people getting into the freelance game. In the interview, she tells us how she charges clients, how she manages and controls projects, and how she keeps clients in the loop every step of the way in order to avoid surprises (for everyone). She even tells us where her clients are coming from now--which might be a surprise! Her website and LinkedIn are linked below--go see how she’s presenting herself on the platforms, and see how it compares to what you might be doing…

Kimberly is full of good advice for freelancers because she did it herself from scratch. She went from putting together Upwork jobs to actually not having much time to take on new clients--in a year and a half! Tune in to hear all of her advice and get inspired. And go check out episode 16 to hear the beginning of her adventure into freelance!

Resources & People Mentioned

Successful Fashion Designer Podcast episode 16 with Kimberly Dippel
Kim’s Portfolio Website
Kimberly Dippel on LinkedIn
Flexible Timers app

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SFD078 Working with Factories as a Freelance Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -0500

The best part? There are ways you can create the same freelance opportunities for yourself, and she shares step by step her best advice to do this.

And it all started with one freelance gig from LinkedIn.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

The simple change you can make to your LinkedIn profile to attract brands or factories looking for freelancers
How to turn one freelance project into many to get more work and make more money
What brands are looking for when interviewing and hiring freelance fashion designers
How to give your opinion and feedback about design without sounding pushy or negative
Why staying in touch with past coworkers and industry friends can make or break your success (even if you’re uncomfortable “networking”)
What Heather’s transition from working as an employee to working freelance looked like and how you can do the same
What Heather learned at her first (big!) freelance project for a Chinese company
How she made the decision to start hiring designers to help her
The skills Heather looks for in her own freelance candidates-for-hire
How Heather runs her freelance business and the freelancers that work for her

FROM 4H TO FASHION

Knowing she always had a passion for working in the fashion industry, she took fashion classes on the side, and then made the commitment to going to Rhode Island School of Design. She started designing kids’ outdoor clothes (talk about blending her loves), and then got a great first job as “just” an assistant--but she loved it! It was “the bottom of the barrel,” but she got great exposure to the industry that way.

THEN CAME THE FREELANCING

Heather’s freelancing career came about as more of a necessity--she wanted to move to Florida, but knew there weren’t going to be a lot of jobs in the fashion industry. So she took her fate into her own hands: she started working on her portfolio, working on her own projects, and branching out. She started her own jewelry line, and got a taste of business for herself. When one of her contacts on LinkedIn reached out to her about an opportunity, she was ready.

SUCCESSFUL (FREELANCE) FASHION DESIGNER

We loved hearing Heather’s inspirational story--you really can create the job you want!

Resources & People Mentioned

Heather Royer on LinkedIn

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SFD077 Interview with Project Runway Juniors Winner Chelsea Ma

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -0500

Chelsea Ma won Project Runway Juniors when she was just 15 years old...and with no previous fashion experience. Like a lot of designers, she had an interest in fashion, but had no idea where to start.

After convincing her parents to let her trade figure-skating lessons for sewing lessons, she began one step at a time by learning how to use a machine and creating her first designs.

In this interview, she shares exactly how she went from a few sewing lessons to winning Project Runway Juniors. Chelsea is proof that hard work and determination pay off, even if you have no background or experience with design.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

What it was like applying to Project Runway Junior (wow what a marathon)
What kinds of questions PRJ asked in the interview
How she felt as a 14-year-old flying out to New York for Project Runway Juniors
The inside scoop on her first challenge (what a rollercoaster!)
What the competitive environment was like on Project Runway Junior
Chelsea’s favorite challenges
The risks Chelsea took on the show
What it was like being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai
How she felt in the last moments before revealing her collection
How she confidently faced the finale of Project Runway Junior
The fact that the dramatically slow passage of time before announcing a winner is actually a real thing ;)
What it was like winning Project Runway Junior!!!
Where her ambition took her after Project Runway Junior and why you should “burn your boats”
What her plans are for when she graduates!
And so much more!

CHELSEA MA THE CHAMP

Chelsea Ma had almost no previous fashion experience when she won Project Runway Junior Season 2--I mean, she was only 14 when she applied! She and her sewing teacher; Miss Trang, had to hustle to put together her application in just two weeks. They had to make a video, a portfolio, and FIVE outfits...two weeks, people! Then auditions, interviews, and off to New York. Sounds surreal, right? And then she won.

But it wasn’t as short of a story as all that...there were tears, sweat, and even a little blood on the road to her success (sewing leather by hand is fierce business)--but this teen is wise beyond her years and tells us all about the hustle and how she kept going through each of the challenges, even when she was sure they would send her home.

Chelsea tells us all about the rollercoaster of the challenges and being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai. She talks about the time limits, the preparation, the materials, the drama (or thankfully, lack thereof) between the competitors, and goes into detail about what was going through her head during these high-stress challenges. Like in episode 1, when she thought she made a major mistake with her materials, but of course absolutely slayed it.

SO SHE WON, WHAT NOW?

If it’s not obvious that Chelsea is a hustler that never stops, let me make it clear: this woman does! Not! Stop! Right now she’s in school full time and working on two collections. Check out her line Visual Novel, her collection-based fashion line that launched in September 2018, and keep an eye out for her accessories line (that she’s doing for fun), Dessac. This Project Runway Junior winner has so much drive and ambition that we know her career is going to be an illustrious one. Can’t wait to see what’s to come!

Resources & People Mentioned

Chelsea Ma on Instagram @chelsea_ma
Chelsea Ma’s fashion line on Instagram @chelseamaofficial
Miss Trang’s line Doeskin
Miss Trang’s line on Instagram @doeskin_la
Chelsea’s clothing line Visual Novel | Instagram @visualnovelofficial

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SFD076 Six Steps to Starting a Fashion Line that Sells

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -0500

Designing and starting a fashion line is exhilarating and inspiring and something most of us want to jump right into. Starting a fashion line that sells is something completely different--but it’s something you can do.

Robyn and I are BACK with a podlet that sums up six easy steps to starting a fashion line that sells. The Successful Fashion Designer podcast has been going for 75(!) episodes, and after interviewing as many talented, business-savvy fashion designers as I have, Robyn and I noticed that many of them had similar advice when it came to designing a fashion line that sells.

We went back through and extracted the golden advice nuggets from their episodes and distilled it down for you here--it’s great advice for everyone that wants to start a fashion line the right way.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Finding and owning your niche to create a fashion line that sells
How NOT to design for everybody (seriously!)
Solving your own problems by facing and overcoming the fashion challenges that you have
Doing RESEARCH on other fashion lines
Actually going to where your customer is hanging out to do MORE research
Testing, testing, and testing some more--getting feedback on your samples
Engaging and asking your customer for feedback during the design + development process
Asking open-ended questions to get more information from your customers
And so much more!

Episodes Referenced:

Connect with cohost Robyn:

Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine.

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SFD075 How to Be a Lingerie Designer with Laurie Van Jonsson

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Designing within constraints and restrictions in the lingerie design industry (that’s how she found her niche!)
The mistakes (many people make) of trying to cater to too many markets
Working with large manufacturers as a lingerie designer
Having the passion and belief in your product to sew it all yourself (by hand!)
How to be the lingerie designer that stands out with major retail buyers (being “pest-like” was described as a positive trait here!)
How Laurie started blogging, grew her business, wrote and published a book, and managed the supply and demand for niche lingerie sizes
How Laurie’s freelance work built off of the momentum of her other projects
The mistakes people make when starting their own fashion brand
Advice on the best way to start strong, save time, and save money
Working with people as a freelancer in the lingerie fashion industry
Setting clear expectations and scope with freelance clients
How Laurie built a foundation of inbound referrals that led to projects
The challenges of working with people across the globe
And so much more!

Freelance Designer with Lingerie Leanings

Advice for Every Fashion Designer

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD074 Mailbag: Fashion Design Career Advice on 3D Prototyping, Kickstarting Your Career, and Productivity

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500

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 excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on 3D modeling, prototyping, kick-starting your career, and productivity.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

On the future of 3D modeling as an industry standard for product developers and technical developers, from Meggan [2:14]

I was curious if there would be any transition or talk about 3D modeling and how it’s becoming more and more an industry standard for both product developers and technical developers. More importantly design. In my industry 3D modeling is replacing 1st prototype (I work for [brand name redacted] in Apparel Dev). We are also curating libraries for trims in 3D software so it’s a full breath of garment and drape with all embellishment and decoration. Are you seeing this in your career as well? Crazy how shifts happen so quickly.

On prototyping, sampling, and getting to know who you’re working with in production, from Jo [10:30]

I love listening to your podcast and feel like I have learned a lot! I know this is a long-shot, but I am desperate for some advice. I am creating a special denim line for woman and had a sample made by a US manufacturer. The sample took an unbelievably long amount of time and came back not at all reflecting my tech pack (they basically just re-created my rough proto). I decided to hire a company that works with startups to refine our tech pack and pattern file based on the fit testing. If I use this smaller company, I have to either choose pre-washed denim or outsource the wash process. With the larger (but less dependable company), it would all be done in the same facility for less per price cost (but higher minimum). Due to high shrinkage, I have to make a decision on the fabric in order to move forward with changes to the pattern. I have never gone through the manufacturing process before and really want to move forward. Do you have any advice you could share?

On kick-starting your career (hint: it’s never too late), from Cihud [15:19]

Do you think it's too late for me at this age (28) already? From your experience, what's the difference between the designers that start early and the ones who come later like me? And this is a bit personal, if I may know, where were you at 28 y.o? What kind of life situation, job, finance, and what stage of your career at that time. As much as I wanna feel motivated that I believe I'm doing the right thing/ on the right track, it still sometimes hits my self-esteem and questioning my potentials and future.

On opportunities to learn how the fashion industry works, from Cihud [17:19]

You mentioned that you didn't have any fashion background before landing your first fashion assistant job, and now you're very knowledgeable and skillful in apparel manufacturing. How long did it take for you to grasp at least sufficient knowledge to be confident in yourself that you know you've got what it takes?

On productivity: doing it all and then doing more, from Cihud [19:34]

How do you manage to do everything? I see you have a lot of things to take care of. I want to know what your typical day is, what your routine is like from the moment you wake up and sleep.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 19 with Kathryn Hilderbrand of Good Clothing Company

If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show.

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SFD073 Accounting Advice for Fashion Designers and Businesses

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500

Guess what? If you want to have a fashion brand, you’re going to have to deal with accounting. And while it’s not the sexiest topic around, it’s a fact of doing business.

But the good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. And in this interview with accountant Peter Lang, who specializes in working with creatives and fashion designers, he shares how to simplify the process and be strategic with your money.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Setting up your fashion design business strategically to save money on taxes
Financial planning for fashion designers and businesses
How to budget appropriately and save for taxes and retirement
What you can write off on taxes (bet some of these are going to be new to you!)
What you can NOT write off on taxes that you may have thought you could!
Advice on how much is safe to put aside for taxes
How to prepare to get a loan and how to use it successfully
Self-employment tax and the differences between being an employee and a business owner
How to financially prepare for crowd-sourcing and the tax implications of “free money”
Penalties and repercussions of tax mistakes
How best to prepare for audits

Peter Lang, an accountant for creative professionals like you in the fashion industry, loves talking about finances, budgeting, and taxes. He promises there are no stupid questions in the tax accounting world, and wishes everyone were comfortable to ask more detailed questions about their finances--there’s so much to know!

Peter’s not a regular CPA--he’s a Designer CPA.

Peter has been a CPA for fifteen years, and his niche is the design industry. He provides tax accounting, CFO, and overall financial advice to business owners in the design industry. When Peter started working as a CPA, he accepted clients as they came, but noticed some of his clients were...more exciting than others. He started working with interior designers, then fashion designers, and the rest is history: he had found his specialization and calling in the CPA world.

Peter’s accounting advice goes into great detail on the podcast--he covers important issues to consider when getting funding, whether it’s from a small business loan, investors, and / or crowdfunding, and the tax implications and best-practice of using that money. He gives advice on entities to consider for your business, whether it’s sole proprietor or corporation, and how to save money on self-employment. He also dives into sales tax and what to do about passing that on to your end customer (spoiler alert: he says it’s one of the most complex topics!) but manages to advise in clear, concise ways that make us want to nerd-out on accounting and finances more often.

Do I need a Designer CPA?

It can only help, right? Peter says fashion designers can benefit from the service of any CPA that they’re compatible with, but as a Designer CPA, he considers himself a little more on the wavelength of the design industry. He found he could provide more value to his design clients all year-round, and could serve as a trusted advisor and help them grow their business. It’s always refreshing to work with people who are passionate about the same things as you are--especially if they have your best financial interests at heart.

Resources & People Mentioned

thedesignercpa.com
The Designer CPA on Instagram
The Designer CPA on Facebook
Traction by Gino Wickman--Peter’s recommendation for processes for business plan, budgeting, and more
Avalara -- Peter’s recommendation for a cloud-based, automated tax software

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SFD072 This Fashion Designer Applied to Puma 7 Times. How He Finally Got His Dream Job.

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -0500

It’s easy to see someone who’s living their fashion design dream and think, “they got lucky, but that could never happen to me.” But the truth couldn’t be further from that.

The reality? You have NO idea what their back story is. You have NO idea how hard they worked to get there. And you have NO idea how many times they failed on the way to achieving their fashion design dream.

Kirby Nunez is an unbelievably hard working man. His story is humbling, inspiring, and is one of the best examples of how perseverance and drive will pay off.

After being applying for a design job and being rejected a MASSIVE 7 times, he finally got a foot in the door as an intern at Puma. Two years later, he still works there full-time. And he loves every minute of it. He is genuinely living out his fashion design dream.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

How to turn land your dream fashion design internship, even if you’ve been rejected before
The best way to turn an internship into a full time fashion design job
The simple things you can do at work to get ahead of the competition
How to advance your fashion design career
What you can do to make sure your resume and portfolio stand out

Like you, Kirby started his fashion career from the bottom.

The truth about success? Is that it’s usually preceded by A LOT of failure, and that most people start at the bottom (just like Kirby). After applying to his dream fashion job at Puma 7 times, he finally got the opportunity to prove himself. But as a part-time intern, he had a long way to go to become a full time employee. So how’d he do it? By kicking major butt and going the extra mile in everything he did. In this interview, he shares the exact strategies he used to make sure he was the one to get offered a full time job at the end of the internship.

Resources & People Mentioned

Kirby on LinkedIn

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SFD071 Part 2: A Fashion Design Dream Come True: From the Honduras to NYFW, With Guillermo Irias

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 10:00:00 -0400

When it came to success in fashion, Guillermo Irias had nothing going for him. Raised in the Honduras by a single mom who didn’t think a fashion career was a good idea, he didn’t have the financial or emotional support he needed.

But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design.

Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will
Working your way through college after leaving home
Funding your dream with side jobs
Showcasing at New York fashion week
Entering contests that can change your career
Moving to New York and attending F.I.T
Internships that lead to working with high profile clients
Trying to find the right job after college

Guillermo has done every and any job to get to where he is at today.

From making garments for friends to styling for NY residents, and entering contests to doing free internships at any brand that would take him, he saw every experience as an opportunity to learn something. He even had the opportunity to design for Madonna's Rebel heart tour in 2015.

All of this work created huge results.

GIA New York is a successful NY brand that has grabbed people's attention all across the U.S. With huge following on social media and a love for his unique take on fashion, he is taking the industry by storm.

To hear part 1, view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71

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SFD071 Part 1: A Fashion Design Dream Come True: From the Honduras to NYFW, With Guillermo Irias

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 10:00:00 -0400

But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design.

Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will
Working your way through college after leaving home
Funding your dream with side jobs
Showcasing at New York fashion week
Entering contests that can change your career
Moving to New York and attending F.I.T
Internships that lead to working with high profile clients
Trying to find the right job after college

Guillermo has done every and any job to get to where he is at today.

All of this work created huge results.

Watch for Guillermo’s Interview Part 2 on Oct 29

To view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71

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BONUS: What I Wish I Knew About a Career in Fashion (from 10 industry experts)

Sew Heidi — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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 between 10-20 years experience, and they’ve worked at Brands like Lululemon, Under Armour, TopShop, Mavi Jeans, and Roxy.

Their designs have been Featured in magazines like InStyle, Vogue and Sports Illustrated.

If I were you? I’d take their advice VERY seriously.

Get ready for some good stuff (you know, the stuff no one talks about). It’s why I call it FASHION INDUSTRY SECRETS REVEALED.

Note: This was originally released on YouTube as part of the full Fashion Industry Secrets Revealed series (check out all episodes here). This episode lent so well to audio that we decided to release it as a bonus episode - enjoy!

Resources & People Mentioned

Carla Louise Stout: Website / Instagram
Cristina Dorda Soriano Website / Instagram
Eirini Scott: Website / Instagram
Emily Keller: Website / Instagram
Jackie Ayres: Website / Instagram
Kimberly Hamilton-Rice: Website / Instagram
Kimberly Dippel: Website
Leila Jalili: LinkedIn / Instagram
Malie Bingham: Website / Instagram
Marissa Borelli: Website / Instagram

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SFD070 Build a Fashion Brand with a Cult Following

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Seeing other fashion brands on social media with these crazy cult followings can be pretty intimidating. You see these fashion brands and think, “I can't possibly generate that much interest in my designs.”

But it’s possible.! You can design products that people want to buy because they are obsessed!

With the right consumer research and branding, you can fill a gap in the market. Create the right product for the right person? Can lead to a cult following. This is exactly what Aaron and Carmen of Caraa did. But not without the leg work it takes to build this kind of cult following.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Starting your fashion career in a different field (finance)
Finding a gap in the fashion market, and figuring out how to fill the gap
Saturating the fashion accessories market with a unique product
Learning how to lead with design, but sell based on function
Launching with only one well researched fashion product
Doing product research directly with your potential customer
Wading through all the financial options for funding
Working with big brands to collaborate
Why one way pitching doesn't often work out
Manufacturing locally until you’re ready to manufacture overseas.

Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:

Aaron Luo and his partner Carmen Chen Wu, are innovators in the fashion accessories world. They noticed a gap in the market for a bag that would meet the needs of the multifaceted woman. The working woman, the mom, and yogi who needed the right bag to transition throughout all those roles without switching her bag, or worse carrying three of them at once. They have generated a cult following because of their unique, fashion focused, function driven line of bags.

Like you, Aaron started his fashion career from an unlikely field.

With 20 years in finance for a company that specializes in clothing production he gained an understanding of the fashion market from a unique perspective. When he and his partner Carmen (designer for many years) discovered a major gap in the market they decided to embark on this exciting new adventure together.

Being a designer, it’s not as sexy as TV makes it out to be.

Aaron shares the ins and outs of designing a brand new fashion product. Most people think, “I designed this product, how can I fit it into the current market place?”. But Arron tells us about discovering a gap in the marketplace, then designing a product around what that consumer wants and more importantly what this customer needs.

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD069 Launching a Sustainable Fashion Brand and Manufacturing in Bali

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Do you want to create a sustainable fashion brand ...but feel like you’re on the outside edge of what is going on in the fashion world? It can feel as though no one will ever give you the answers to your questions or share their inside information or tips.

Well... good news, this isn't permanent. There are many ways to get the information and help you need to create your sustainable fashion brand. But it's probably not from the people or places you have been looking.

Hearing Eva’s story will give you a brand new outlook. It will change the way you look at your materials, products and production. She shares how her journey took a turn for the better and how she found an easier, much more inclusive environment to have her garments made and how she kept to her goal of including community into her sustainable fashion brand.

In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover:

Why knowing what you want to do from the age 16 doesn't always land you in the right college
How to make your college courses work for you
How working with startup and indie brands created a base knowledge for her future work
Why it’s important to have a photographer who already knows the model agency
How creating a profile on Model Mayhem led to her first shoot getting published
Why she decided to start making her own clothing
How she found her dream tailor in Bali
What deadstock fabrics are
How she uses studio sales to learn from her customers

Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:

Eva Sheridan is the founder of her sustainable fashion brand EnoBlack. Her fashion brand encompases her passion for sustainability and community into one beautiful package. Offering people well designed, custom sizing and quality, unique fabrics she gives her customer an experience like no other brand can.

Like you, Eva started the line with no industry experience.

It all started in 2000 at Stanford University (with isn’t know for its fashion education) where she molded her degree to fit her career aspirations. A few years later, and she decided to start piecing together this dream she had of creating her own sustainable line. She quickly found this discouraging, no one in the States was willing to share their insights or tips with other designers.

Everything soon changed on her honeymoon trip to bali.

In Bali, she meet the perfect tailor who was willing to small batch one of her designs. She brought these dresses home and a couple extra intended to be gifts for friends. She soon had none left for herself, her friends bought up all of her dresses! So she returned to Bali to meet with her tailor again and see how she could build this relationship, and grow her brand.

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD068: Fashion Design Career Advice on College, Why You're Not Getting the Job, Freelancing and Factories

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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 excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on college, Why You're Not Getting the Job, Freelancing and Factories.(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

On getting the skills needed to get into college, and finding a good stylist tool, from Mila [1:28]

I want to study fashion design in college. But I’m afraid that I’m still not skilled enough to get in. I’m wondering if there’s any way to build up my skill so I’m confident and capable of getting in? And I’m in the process of getting a good stylist tool, and want to ask if there’s any good apps and programs for tablets for fashion design?

On the essential things to know apart from illustration and tech packs, from Mary [8:08]

I want to know what are the other essential things one needs to know apart from illustration and tech packs,and what do you recommend will be of help to us, lastly when you started what did you learn first that put you in that different light.

On how to get a job in the industry, from Noa 14:09

I am writing to you hoping you help. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and majored in Accessories Design. I've since interned in a few places but now that I am looking for a permanent job in the industry I can't seem to land one. I'm getting interviews so I know my resume isn't the issue. I have a portfolio and I looked at your website to only use relevant-to-job designs yet I'm missing something obviously. I've used the websites for fashion, recruiters, and nothing seems to work. I was advised by my school not to have an online portfolio since people are more likely to steal ideas that way. I'm hoping you can help me in anyway by giving me direction or looking at portfolio which I can send you via email.

On common practices when working with a freelance client, from Austin 20:15

I have my first design client on the line, but I'm lacking confidence in formatting designs and how to present questions without letting on that I don't really know the drill!

I want to see some of their other designs to get a feel for how they are accustomed to seeing things presented. Is it common practice to ask my contact at the brand to pass them along to me?

On finding the right factory and pricing from your line, from Riaa 22:31

I managed to find a few suppliers that I have visited their factories before. I have sent them my designs and has asked them to quote me.

All of them, perhaps, knew my inexperience in the field, quoted me a very high price for samples and bulk production. Except one supplier - who is rated quite well on alibaba but I have never seen their factory before. I just happened to reply to one of their emails and they quoted me reasonable prices for my designs. The problem is i want top notch quality stitching. Should i be cautious that they are quoting me much lower than the rest? What would you do in my position?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Wacom **Update** There is an app called Astropad that lets you to turn your iPad into a drawing tablet for your Mac. Thanks @hollytylerdesign for letting me know about this :)
Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Fashion Portfolio (in a weekend)
Heidi’s Fashion Design Journey (with embarrassing photos)

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SFD067 Working with a Fashion Showroom

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 10:00:00 -0400

You finally have your design process down and your merchandise production down to a science and you feel like you’re ready to take on one of those big time retailers, but you have no idea how to reach them. You have no idea how to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom, you're a little scared to hand over your fashion designs and trust them to a stranger.

Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems. You can find the right showroom sales partner to help you take your fashion line to the next level.

This is exactly what Purvi Kanji does for several designers from all over the country. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast she talks about her job and how she helps designers like YOU, get into their dream retailer.

In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover:

How to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom
How to know if you’re ready to start building that relationship
What it means to fine tune your price point
What a fashion showroom sales representative can do for your brand
How your brand should look before working with a fashion showroom
How to get discovered by a fashion showroom
What the negotiation process looks like before working with a fashion showroom
Creating consistency from season to season and region to region
The importance of creating an experience for your customer

Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:

Purvi Kanji is a showroom director of Place showroom, which is a full service sales and consulting agency. She works with independent, established and startup brands to find the best place for you to sell your fashion line in the crazy retail world.

Understanding just what you want and need is her specialty.

Purvi shares just how much effort she puts into finding the perfect place for each designers fashion line. She shares with us that every contract is designed around each designers needs and wants for their brand. And the more voice your brand has the easier it is for them to find the perfect fit for your fashion line.

Getting your foot in the door - it really can be simple.

She also shared with us that they find designers all over the place. In local shows, through mutual connections and the most common is, believe it or not, Instagram. This little world of squares isn't just about taking pretty pictures. It's a universal platform to completely brand yourself and get your designs in front of the eyes of some of the countries biggest branding and consulting agencies without spending a dime. They look here on a regular basis to find new talent and well curated brands.

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD066 10 Easy Networking Tips (you can use today) to Get Ahead in Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 10:38:05 -0400

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 friends and having conversations. Once you build some of these simple habits into your daily life, opportunities will literally start falling in your lap.

I guarantee it.

Because - in case you didn't realize it - friends share resources and opportunities with other friends. So the next time you need a job or a desperate to find a new factory for production, if you have a network, you'll easily be able to reach out and ask someone for help.

In this Podlet episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Robyn and I go through 10 easy networking tips you can use today. We reference examples of how other guests on the show have used these strategies, and share ideas about how you can use them.

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration.

In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover these networking tips:

How to network online and build remote relationships...no matter where you live
How to easily stay in touch with your network so they think about you for opportunities
How to expand your network beyond the obvious "fashion designers"
What two tiny things you can do to stand out from everyone else
Why your attitude has a huge impact on whether people want you to be part of their "network"
How working together versus working alone will get you 10x further in life and your career
The importance of building your network with the expectation of getting nothing in return
How to get what you want...by asking for it
Why you need to pay attention to other people...and not just think about yourself

Episodes referenced:

Connect with cohost Robyn:

Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine.

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SFD065 How This Surface Pattern Designer Creates From Music

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Are you an artist or designer who finds inspiration is everywhere, often in the most unexpected places? And do you ever feel stuck not knowing how to turn it into anything?

This is exactly what happened to Nadia Ricketts of Beatwoven, a textile and surface pattern designer who turned music into fabric.

In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration.

In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover:

Seeing sound within your surface pattern designs
Designing your own surface pattern technology when the industry doesn't provide it
Working with the last remaining silk weaving plant in the UK
How you can create collaborations with big brands
Wading through how to fund your dream project
Understanding the boundaries between copyright vs trademark
Working with lawyers to really understand your niche
Finding your focus between interior design and fashion design
The value of self development and keeping your surface pattern design dream alive

Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:

Nadia Ricketts is an innovator in the world of surface pattern design. She took her college project and turned it into a brand. She has done partnerships with huge brands like Harrods to create unique textiles that combine surface pattern design with music.

Like you, Nadia started with an inspiration. An idea to change the way we look at music.

Yes, look at music! Nadia was a dancer for most of her young life. Music held a place in her heart and she enjoyed letting her body tell the story the music notes were playing. While finishing up her degree to become a textile designer she came up with an idea to integrate sound waves into her surface pattern designs.

Becoming an innovator in your field, it's not all fun and games.

She shares with us all about the background research that goes into creating something out of nothing. Licensing and the difficulties of wading through all the legal jargon and technicalities of copyright and trademark. The struggle of “getting things to work” and the importance of self development.

Resources & People Mentioned

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SFD064 Fashion Startup Advice on Creating, Manufacturing and Selling Your Designs

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 10:00:00 -0400

You’re someone who spends hours getting lost in a fashion idea, drawing and redesigning a garment over and over again until it’s just right. But once those ideas are perfected you’re not sure how to go from hand drawing on a napkin to holding that garment in your hands.

But you can wade through the uncertainty of becoming a startup fashion designer, your dream can come true!

Which is exactly what Anouchka Santella of Wear Gold clothing line did. And in this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Heidi introduces you to her, where they talk about how she became a startup fashion designer.

In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover:

How to take napkin drawings from concept to an actual product line
Finding a reliable team of seamstresses and pattern makers
Deciding to keep your garment production local and cost effective
Why you shouldn't be afraid to take risks with your first fashion Line
How to drive sales to your design website in a cost effective way
Why it's important to take the right margin on your final garments
Her decision to design something that would create less waste in our landfills
Why you shouldn't be ashamed of your retail price point
How she funded her startup fashion design brand
The importance of having the self discipline to get to the finish line slowly

Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts:

Anouchka Santella was a journalism major who has taken her pipe dream and made herself into a full fledged fashion designer with her startup fashion line called Wear Gold, in only 6 months.

Like you Anouchka Santella was just a girl with a passion for fashion design.

She had no experience or education in fashion design, pattern making or sewing, so she never thought she could become a designer. That was as big of a dream as becoming a “big music star or movie actress”. Like many designers she noticed a hole in the fashion marketplace that she wanted to fill. Where fast fashion is on the rise and so are the piles of garbage in the landfills, she wanted to create a line that would stand the test of time.

What's it like starting your own Fashion Design line - you might wonder?

She shares the trials and tribulations of creating a fashion line that is manufactured in her country of origin and keeping the price point reasonable. She shares some of her “ahh ha” moments about what it really costs to have clothing made and how flighty people in the industry can be.

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Bonus Episode: Aliexpress knocked off this fashion brand. Here's what they did.

Sew Heidi — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 15:31:24 -0400

Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs.

Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores.

But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level.

Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color:

Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs.

Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores.

But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level.

Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color:

In this mini episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I chatted with Kat from Solstice to hear more about what exactly happened and how they handled the AliExpress knockoff situation.

She talks about how it all went down, how they protect themselves from other copycats, and how they’ve built a loyal following through exceptional customer service.

Resources & People mentioned

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SFD063 Mailbag: Fashion Design Career Advice on Samples vs Prototypes, Made to Order fashion and Textile Design

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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 excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.

Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on industry terminology (samples vs prototypes), made to order fashion, trend research jobs, and textile design.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)

Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

On the difference between prototypes and samples, from Samari [01:36]:

I was interested in knowing what is the difference between a prototype and a sample?

On how to break into fashion if you don't have a design background, from Antonio [07:08]:

I currently have a bachelor's degree in business and a year of work under my belt as a buyers assistant. I wouldn't say I have a background in design but I do draw very often especially on my iPad and just started learning Adobe Illustrator with the help of your videos. Do you think it would be worth it to go back to school for fashion design. I find I am not qualified for the design jobs I want and I am not sure how to get in the industry without a design background.

On getting a job as a trend forecaster, from Stamatina [10:18]:

I have an idea and wanted to know your opinion/feedback.

How amazing would be if I can find a job that is trend forecasting? Of course, I do love designing and I am getting ideas for my portfolio but I think ultimately - trend forecasting would be the next big thing I would love to do. I am trying to google information, and the requirements and even if companies are hiring. It's not so easy to find as, there are companies who do this specifically out there and are worldwide.

Could you offer any feedback?

On creating a "made to order" fashion brand, from Breanna [13:31]:

My name is Breanna and I am the owner and designer of Bre Nikole. I design pants for tall women, or at least I want to.

I'm struggling to find a manufacturer/cut sew factory as well as funding for production. I've building my brand for some years and I'm ready to put product out. Until I have the right funding, I was considering doing "Made to Order". What do I need to consider for myself and customers when doing "Made to Order"?

On learning textile design, from Karly [18:25]:

I subscribe to and love your podcast! And I signed up for your Illustrator class, but can't seem to find the time to learn it.

A little about me:

I am a working mom with you 2 baby boys.... I run a brick & mortar family business in which my favorite part is that I have fairly high end coastal boutique. I recently launched a website which I am growing slowly due to the fact that I am a one woman show who does everything myself. I am also "an artist" with lots of creative energy that I don't always get to use. My dream has always been to launch my own label that I can sell in my boutique and on the website. I want to design my own prints to digitally print. I find myself always wanting to take a first step towards this, but not sure what to do. Must I first learn Illustrator so that I can design my prints myself, or is there a way around this? I am considering hiring a consultant like I heard on one of your podcasts to help me get started, do you think this is a good idea? I have zero time, but feeling like I need to follow my dream asap!

Thank you for reading and THANK YOU for all that you do to support all of the people with fashion dreams!!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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SFD062 Building a Profitable Baby Bag Fashion Brand with No Experience

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Do you have ideas, big ideas that can change the way consumers use a specific fashion product? Do you spend all your time drawing up designs, getting feedback from friends and family and thinking of new ways to create ease of use for your consumer? Do you spend time wondering how you can build a profitable brand with no experience? Fashion retail is a tough industry to get noticed in, but you know you have the perfect product that is missing from the fashion market and your just not sure how to get it there.

You can make it happen for yourself! Taking a design and building a profitable fashion brand around it, is within reach as long as you're ready to take on the day to day business tasks of building a profitable fashion brand.

This is exactly what Claire Fuller did when she realized that UK retailers were not selling the perfect baby changing bag she was looking for. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast we will talk about her 10 year whirlwind story of building a profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience.

In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover:

Conceptualizing your design ideas with no experience
Compiling customer feedback to ensure that her baby bag was exactly what moms needed
Working with a fashion seamstress/designer to bring designs to life
Why she decided to self fund her first retail orders
The importance of consumer markets/shows
Working through distribution of her fashion baby bag
Following regulations for making a children's product
Her strategies for researching the marketplace
The importance of taking classes and seeking guidance from people who have experience in the fashion industry
How she realized it was time to sell her brand and figuring out the perfect person to be a partner
Why she registered the brand name and trade name in China as well as the USA

Claire Fuller is an inventor and designer of the Babymule. She sells her brand in the UK and on amazon.

Like you, Claire started with only an idea but had no experience on how to turn it into a profitable baby bag fashion brand.

Claire started her career by working as a production manager for a local sculpture artist. This job prepared her for the design process of her baby bag because it required a lot of research and problem solving to get to that end goal. But nothing could completely prepare her for this major adventure she was about to embark on. She had just had her first baby and was in search of the perfect baby bag but she couldn't seem to find exactly what she was looking for. So she embarked on the journey of designing and producing her own profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience.

What are the ins and outs of starting your own fashion brand?

She talks about everything from the design startup phase all the way to the production and distribution phase. She also shares some of the burdens that rain down once you have hit a peak in your business and you can no longer run this thing on your own.

Resources & People mentioned

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SFD061 Are You Ready to Quit Your Job for Your Fashion Startup Business?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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 solving in your craft.

But now you’re stuck. This fashion startup business has begun to flourish, your process has streamlined and your passion has grown and yet you’re still working your 9-5 fashion job. Figuring out where to go from here can be rather unnerving.

This is exactly what Jackie Ayres from Dyetology did. I am so excited to share with you how she QUIT HER DAY JOB FOR HER FASHION STARTUP BUSINESS and made it work.

In the interview (Which I know you’ll love) we cover:

The journey to finding your passion in the fashion industry
Turning your passion project into a profitable fashion business
Finding the energy to “do it all” when running your fashion startup
Why you should allow yourself to dream
How she used her corporate job to fund her fashion startup business
Feeling at peace with quitting your corporate fashion job
How to leave corporate life and move into entrepreneurship
Her thoughts on “doing the research” for yourself
Finding a mentor or support group established in the fashion industry
Why you have to ask yourself “do you love it” because no one else will

Jackie Ayres from Dyetology hand dyes textiles that she turns into scarves, shawls, skirts and tops. She spent 3 years organically growing her startup fashion business all while raising her son and working her full time corporate fashion job. Using this overlapping time to really learn what she liked about the hand dying industry and teaching herself what was needed to make it into a profitable business.

Like you, Jackie dreamed about her startup while working her corporate full time job.

She spent 14 years designing in the corporate world honing her talents and learning form the best in the industry. While climbing the corporate ladder she felt like her job was void of the kind of creative outlet that would leave her feeling passionate. So she started hand dyeing textiles out of her home and soon learned this was a passion project she wanted to turn into a full time career.

More than just a designer - how she would love to help you!

She loves to be transparent with her customers, followers and any one who asks for her advice about how she got to this point in her career that she is at. As long has you have the drive and have done the background research she is more than willing to help answer any questions you have about this scary transition from corporate life to small business owner. She hopes to break down some of the barriers that most of us face in the fashion industry when it comes to sharing helpful information.

Resources & people mentioned

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

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SFD060 Shanghai, Hong Kong and Istanbul: A Day in the Life of an International Fashion Designer

Sew Heidi — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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 fashion school. But it wasn't easy for her to break into the industry. After 20 interviews and some unattractive offers to "work for free to gain experience!", she finally landed her first entry level fashion design job.

Carla takes us through a day in the life of an international fashion designer, and also shares how she built her career from the ground up. Her fashion career growth strategies were so simple that she didn't even know she was using them, but the one simple thing she did almost guaranteed there was always another job or opportunity waiting for her.

In this fashion designer interview, you'll learn:

The one edit you can make to your fashion portfolio to help you land your first entry level job (even if you don't have any experience)
What it's like to travel the world working as an international fashion designer
How keeping in touch with people will 10x your career success
The one simple thing Carla did to make fashion jobs "fall in her lap" over and over
How to take a year off from your fashion career and still make sure brands see you as "relevant" and "on trend"
The hardest parts of working internationally, being away from family, and trying to learn a new language
The difference between working for suppliers vs brands, and what to do when you get pigeonholed
The reality of being a fashion designer and how much time you actually spend designing

A fashion student portfolio will only get you so far...here's what you need to do instead

The work you do as a fashion design student tends to be very conceptual, when in reality, most brands are looking for commercial work. Carla found it really hard to get her first fashion design job with her student portfolio and after 20+ interviews was only getting offers to "work for free to gain experience!" A pretty crummy situation many fashion designers find themselves in. In our interview, she explains the ONE edit she made to her portfolio that finally got her an entry level job.

How keeping in touch people made jobs "fall" in Carla's lap

It sounds simple, but every job Carla's ever gotten was because she kept in touch with people. Whether it was a friends from past jobs, a fashion recruiter who she built a relationship with, or a former boss, all of Carla's opportunities came from her network. To her, it was natural to stay connected with people. But for many, it's not always that easy. In our interview she shares how she maintains industry relationships that turn into job offers, and how you can too.

The life of an international fashion designer

Working internationally sounds glamorous, but it's not without its challenges. Carla shares funny stories, hard times, and her day to day experiences that she lived while working in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and most recently Istanbul for Mavi Jeans.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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SFD059 Mailbag: Fashion Design Career Advice on Freelancing, Gaining Industry Experience and Quitting Your Job

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:00:20 -0400

Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on freelancing, how to gain industry experience, and quitting your job.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)

Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

On if it's possible to gain fashion industry experience freelancing...if you don't have any experience, from Afroditi [02:06]:

How could someone start as a freelancer without much industry experience? Is it just really hard as you state it or completely impossible? Are there any ways to start doing things that just require specific skills you could gain from studying or practicing?

On how to charge your freelance clients for traveling to factories, from Sally [10:42]:

I have been asked by one of my freelance accounts to go on factory visit in Asia. I was just curious if you have done this and how you charged the account. Travel expenses and airfare would be covered but I am thinking about a daily rate as well. I am paid by them hourly. Want to make sure I am thinking of everything. Thoughts?

On transitioning from a contemporary brand in NYC to a luxury house in Europe, from Andrea [16:19]:

Do you have any advice on how an NYC designer can find work in Europe at a luxury house? I have 6 years of experience in advanced contemporary womenswear and am looking for an exciting opportunity abroad to make the move to Europe.

On when to know if it's a good time to quit your job, from Nicole [22:00]:

I am the only designer and tech designer for a manufacturing company. I am the first and only one they have hired. The company is experiencing a TON of growing pains and my boss has been less than cordial. The company is also an hour and a half from my house, does not offer any benefits, and seems shady sometimes. There are 5 other design companies waaaay closer to my house and I landed an interview (YAY!) but I am actually nervous to get the job! I am afraid to abandon the work I have started here, I am almost finished with the development cycle I started. I am reaching out to ask if I should feel guilty? how much do I owe this company that hasn't really treated me the best but has given me a great career opportunity even if the job itself has been crazy (not normal fashion job crazy) most days. If and when I find a new job, how do I rip this band-aid off?

On general fashion design career advice, from Sam [26:29]:

I wondered what advise you could give me. I've always loved design, something about it makes my insides excited and there is nothing else quite like that feeling. I went to school for fashion but didn't finish -i got confused half way through as i started to really love furniture design and textiles and interior design. they all inspire me. At home i feel like i can do it all on my own, i like working with my hands making clothes and accessories but i've never had too much experience outside of that. I keep working on small projects but not finishing, i don't know if i'm afraid to fail or I need to start from the more technical side. This e-mail is a little bit a mess and thats kind of what my life feels like but I would love any feedback you could give.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

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SFD058: Navigating the “4 P’s” of Fashion Marketing and Overcoming Networking Intimidation, with Robyn Spady

Sew Heidi, Robyn Spady — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:00:00 -0400

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, we discuss the 4 main pillars of fashion marketing: product, price, position, and promotion. Robyn shares her secrets to successfully networking with industry pros and how to handle hearing “no” in challenging conversations.

Her advice will surely help you approach fashion marketing the right way. It’s always easier to grow from small success than recover from large mistakes. Start your business off on the right foot by giving this podcast episode your full attention!

Outline of This Episode

[3:45] Robyn Spady, textile expert and fashion professional, is my guest for this episode
[5:50] Robyn shares how she got started in handweaving and why she enjoys this niche market of fashion design
[16:55] Overcoming intimidation while networking in your niche market
[24:26] Learn to understand the “no’s” you receive in fashion design
[32:55] The importance of marketing to the right people
[42:28] Navigating through the 4 P’s in fashion marketing
[56:51] Keeping your brand fresh and examining buyer/wearer demographics
[1:03:24] Here’s a tool that helps gain your brand exposure

Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating! Use these tips to secure great connections

Networking in the fashion industry shouldn’t feel like a burden. It should always be about connecting passionate people to others in a shared community. You can leverage people and their extensive knowledge without taking advantage of them, and reaching out with questions could lead to career-changing conversations.

Robyn shares main tips for networking success on this episode. Here they are!

Do your homework on potential contacts
Be prepared and respectful when initiating a conversation
Focus your questions on one specific topic - not the entire industry
If you receive a “no” or “not right now,” understand the reasoning behind that decision

Fashion marketing is about 1 thing - communicating with the right customer

The goal at the heart of fashion marketing is communicating your brand’s message and products to the right buyer at the right time. Robyn encourages all fashion designers to be laser-focused on the right type of customer. She explains, “If you market to everybody, you’ll miss everybody.”

Many fashion designers fear missing out on sales if they have a target audience that’s too focused. But that belief simply isn’t true! Robyn believes that “When you meet a customer’s need beautifully and better than everyone else, the result will be more business than you know what to do with!”

Don’t fall into the trap of creating products for every demographic in every size. Learn from Robyn’s extensive experience and develop your targeted fashion marketing strategy. Check out this episode for all the details.

Here’s how to navigate the “4 P’s” in fashion marketing

Defining the “4 P’s” in fashion marketing for your brand will give you a launchpad for future marketing initiatives. Robyn shares a few key ideas on each of the 4 and wants you to understand them. Check it out!

Product - Understand what your market is looking for regarding trends and functionality
Price - Know that overpricing and underpricing are two sides to the same dangerous sword. Know the value of your product and price it accordingly - people will want to pay!
Position - Your position establishes the image/identity of your brand in the minds of your customers. Encouraging your buyers to be educated in the eco-conscious decisions behind your products or the fair-trade practices are all part of positioning.
Promotion - Promotion answers the question, “How will you spread the word about your brand and your vision?”

Consider buyer vs wearer demographics to increase sales and keep products fresh

Continuing with her belief that no brand can serve the needs of every customer, Robyn wants every listener to consider buyer vs wearer demographics when designing. She points out that the wearer isn’t always the buyer (for example, grandparents purchasing clothing for a grandchild), and that special considerations in marketing and design need to be made accordingly.

Rotating through various fabrics, colors, cuts, etc. will keep your products fresh in the eyes of buyers. Local boutiques are always searching for new and exciting pieces - your brand needs to evolve as buying interests shift. To hear more about how to keep your products on the racks, be sure to listen to this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer podcast.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Robyn

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SFD057: Don’t Miss This Insider Coverage of Denver’s Massif Fashion Week

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Few events are as exciting as the Massif Fashion Week held in Denver, Colorado every May. I attended the events this year and interviewed 9 different guests to capture their insights, anecdotes, and advice from the 2018 event.

This episode is full of stories from executive planners, fashion designers, event photographers, and aspiring young fashion professionals. It’s an unfiltered glimpse into the heart of Massif, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to listen!

Outline of This Episode

[0:43] Behind the scenes at Denver’s Massif Fashion Week
[3:29] Kevin Alexander, co-producer and director of Massif Fashion Week
[9:59] Luis Gonzales, hair stylist, on training new hairdressers for runway looks
[15:03] Carloz Bryant on promoting the Massif brand through photography
[18:51] Brittany Sconier on turning her ideas into a runway-ready piece
[25:12] Stephanie Carlson on body positivity and fashion for sizes 8-18
[29:46] Julia Rhoden on working with local artists and finding her true focus
[33:41] Chelsea Ma, winner of Project Runway Junior Season 2
[37:00] Geoffrey Mac on the differences between showing in NYC vs Denver
[42:24] Qi Zhou on balancing fashion and motherhood

What is the Massif Fashion Week?

The Massif Fashion Week event is Denver’s “most exclusive, buyer-based runway showcase focused on high-end fashion design, quality construction, and ready-to-wear.” Not only does it serve as a platform for designers of all ages and backgrounds, it’s also bringing attention to the Denver fashion scene.

Throughout this podcast, you’ll hear from the co-producer and director for the Week as well as many people working to ensure the events run smoothly. You'll also hear from new and veteran designers as they explain why they love seeing their pieces worn on the runway. Massif Fashion Week is one of the few fashion events based in a photography and film studio, and it brings together an incredible mix of designers, students, models, and buyers. This episode is one not to be missed!

Denver’s Massif Fashion Week is great for designers of all ages and backgrounds

Larger cities are often famously tied to high-end fashion. Think of NYC and LA. But Massif Fashion Week in Denver is evolving into a must-attend event for designers. It’s logistically easier to attend and more financially feasible for designers just starting out.

On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer, you’ll hear insights from both a designer fresh out of high school and a veteran designer who has had multiple showcases at Massif. You don’t want to miss hearing them tell their passionate stories, so be sure to listen.

Designers love seeing their creations come to life during live events

All of my guests for this episode explained that they love seeing their creations come to life during the Massif Fashion Week. From the early design stages to final fittings before hitting the runway, it all culminated during the week’s events.

My designer interviewees describe the joy they feel when a buyer finds a perfect piece or when a collection exceeds everyone’s expectations. That’s what makes live events like Massif so incredible. You don’t want to miss hearing these stories first hand, so be sure to listen.

You need THESE skills to successfully work fashion week events

In order to successfully work at fashion weeks, you have to be comfortable in high-stress, high-anxiety situations. There are countless moving pieces that must be organized in order for events to run smoothly. My guests on this episode explain how stylists, photographers, managers, and designers all work together through the organized chaos to execute an excellent event. They exclaim again and again that even though it’s hectic, it’s 100% worth it.

To hear how they gracefully work through the stress and how you can learn to do the same, be sure to listen to this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer.

Resources & People Mentioned

Massif Fashion Week website
Follow Massif Fashion Week on Facebook

Connect with Kevin Alexander

Email Kevin

Connect with Luis Gonzales

Luis’ webpage
Email Luis

Connect with Carloz Bryant

Carloz’s website
Follow Carloz on Instagram: @CarlozBryant

Connect with Brittany Sconier

Follow Brittany on Instagram: @britachebybri
Brittany’s website

Connect with Stephanie Carlson

Stephanie’s website
Follow Stephanie on Facebook
Follow Stephanie on Twitter
Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @StephanieCarlsonDesigns

Connect with Julia Rhoden

Julia’s website
Follow Julia on Facebook
Follow Julia on Instagram: @JuliaRhodenDesign

Connect with Chelsea Ma

Chelsea’s website
Follow Chelsea on Twitter
Follow Chelsea on Facebook
Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @Chelsea_Ma

Connect with Geoffrey Mac

Geoffrey’s website
Follow Geoffrey on Facebook
Follow Geoffrey on Instagram: @GeoffreyMac

Connect with Qi Zhou

Qi’s webpage
Follow Qi on Facebook
Follow Qi on Instagram: @designer.qi.zhou

podcast@sewheidi.com

Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes,

SFD056: Mailbag! Your Fashion Industry Q's Answered

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 13:04:26 -0400

Which is why I started the monthly mailbag episode to the SFD podcast! Once a month, I take the best questions from listeners and answer them on the show.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)

Here are the questions I answer in this mailbag episode!

On balancing working full-time and promoting yourself as a fashion freelancer, from Kayla [02:42]:

I would love to freelance, but am finding it difficult to work 35-40 hours a week and promote myself as a freelance designer. How did you juggle working full time and getting your start up running??

On doing freelance fashion work for competitive brands, from Dani [07:35]:

I’m trying to narrow my niche into athletic wear — how do you freelance for multiple alike brands without crossing the line of conflicting interests? Or do you suggest to only work for one brand at a time? For example: I probably wouldn’t work for LuLuLemon (the dream) and for Nike (also the dream) at the same time.

On freelancing remote for fashion brands, from PKP [11:43]:

I have only one doubt regarding freelancing in Fashion. You had talked a lot about meeting the right people, in you "Fashion Portfolio" guide. Since I am from India, and as far as surface pattern design is concerned, I have worked with print studios in the USA and also in Europe. I have not met any of them in person, but still manage to work with them.I found all these clients with the help of email pitches. I would just give them a link to my portfolio website, is it possible to do the same with Fashion? Will companies I pitch to, be willing to hire a freelance designer without a personal meeting?

On finding a design job if you've been out of school for a while, from Nancy [17:11]:

I studied fashion design for four years I have my bachelors but I graduated 2 years ago I've been stuck and I'm scared I'll never be able to get myself out of this hole. I never want to give up on my dreams but now at 23 with a cashier job my dreams seem so far. All I want to do is find a job in the fashion industry doing what I love to do which is design. One day I plan on owning my own clothing company but where do I start should I go back to school which is what I'm thinking of. Honestly I'm scared stuck and lost I just want to make my degree worth my time and money.

On the necessity of PLM experience for fashion jobs, from Lavendor [22:36]:

Could you speak to the importance of having working knowledge of PLM ( Centric and Flex) as it has become critical when applying for Assistant to Senior level design positions...?

On brand expectations for sketching fashion flats in Illustrator, from Rosella [27:52]:

Is it common to draw Cads without references (photo) or mannequin? For an interview, me and the other candidates had to draw a leather jacket from scratch! Having only the jacket itself in front of us. And then, we had to load a check/plaid pattern in a shirt with Photoshop. Is it useful to know how to render the textures also?

On breaking into fashion if you don't have any professional industry experience, from Hannah [34:29]:

I basically did the opposite of you where I went to school for Textile and Apparel Management but found myself as a graphic designer as that has always been a hobby of mine. I have recently been missing the fashion world but still love my design jobs. How do you think I should go about combining the two. Any suggestions or tips?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD055: Follow These 4 Tips for Enhanced Fashion Media Coverage

Sew Heidi, Lorraine Sanders — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Fashion media coverage is a challenging area for any fashion business, but Lorraine Sanders has perfected the process after years of working as a journalist. On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer, she discusses how to tackle fashion media and press on your own, without the use of a PR firm.

She explains 4 key areas that are essential for effective media coverage that positively impacts your bottom line. It’s an episode that will surely get you thinking, and it’s one not to be missed!

Outline of This Episode

[0:45] Lorraine Sanders is my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer
[4:45] Lorraine shares the stories behind Spirit of 608, FEST brands, and PressDope
[10:09] The importance of creating opportunities for yourself in your career
[24:13] Build your network of connections before asking for fashion media coverage
[31:35] Answer THIS question for more successful fashion media coverage
[42:04] Set your media coverage goals and maintain your connections
[55:00] This is what it looks like to work with Lorraine’s company, PressDope

#1 - Build a solid list of potential publications and writers

One drawback to not utilizing a PR firm in fashion media is not having the credibility of the agency to back up your “ask.” Before you can ask a journalist to cover your product or brand, you first need to identify prospective publications that fit into your niche market.

Start by building a solid list of those highly targeted people. Building a relationship with potential writers should be your priority long before asking them for coverage. Then, determine what content you’re going to pitch to which writers. Keep in mind that you should always be asking yourself, “What do I want to get out of this press coverage?” If you’re not clear with your fashion media publication goals, you’ll waste time and money without seeing any positive impacts on your bottom line.

#2 - Help writers answer this question, “Will my readers think more highly of my publication after publishing this content?”

Every writer wants to feel like they’ve “discovered” you. Publications are always looking for the “next best thing” and they want to ensure that the stories they publish are adding value to their publication. When you’re going after highly-targeted writers, if you’re a good fit for the publication, the appropriate fashion media coverage will follow.

If the content you’re pitching helps a writer answer the main question of “Will my readers think more highly of my publication after publishing this content?” they’re more likely to focus on your product or brand. To hear more insights on why focusing on the right content is critical to fashion media success, don’t miss this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer.

#3 - Create credibility for your brand, even if you’re not working with a PR agency

Even if you choose to pursue media coverage on your own, without the use of a PR agency, you CAN create credibility for your small brand! This is achieved by focusing on a number of key areas:

Professional, on-brand social media accounts
Publishing on third-party platforms such as Medium
Having engaged digital followers

Publishing your founder’s story, creating quality original content, and demonstrating that you’re active in the industry can also show potential writers and publications that your brand is a force to be reckoned with and deserves media coverage. Don’t miss even more tips, listen now!

#4 - Follow up and maintain your fashion media coverage connections

It’s simply not enough to have a few great press coverage events or product launches. It’s essential to maintain your relationships with fashion media contacts in between major quarterly events or product unveilings. Continue the conversation with your hard-earned connections! Consider smaller events such as minor product launches once per month, and don’t forget to send out thank-you notes for previous media pieces!

If you plan your entire fashion media coverage process months in advance, you’ll keep your schedule and your sanity in order. Don’t miss the rest of this educational conversation with Lorraine Sanders on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Lorraine

Lorraine’s personal website
Follow Lorraine on Instagram: @SpiritOf608
Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn
Follow the Spirit of 608 on Facebook
Follow the Spirit of 608 on Twitter: @SpiritOf608
Follow Lorraine on Twitter: @LorraineSanders

podcast@sewheidi.com

Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, YouTube or Spotify

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD054: Podlet Episode, The Priceless Advice of “Know Thy Customer”

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 10:53:18 -0400

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 product, services performed or work done. It is a buyer (shopper), your client, or your boss. It is the brand you work for, or the one you’re dying to work for.

No matter what kind of work you do, the priceless advice of “know thy customer” is something you can’t ignore in the fashion industry.

And if you look closely, this is a theme that comes up over and over in many of the SFD interviews.

But the problem?

Sometimes really subtle and easy to miss exactly how these guests are “getting to know their customer” and how it’s vital to their success.

Because as excited as you may be about your fashion designs, it’s the end customer that will determine your success.

Which is why in the first ever mini “podlet” episode, Robyn and I discuss 5 episodes and examples of how this priceless advice can be applied to your work in fashion.

Now, Robyn and I plan to do more of these mini “podlet” episodes focusing on valuable lessons and themes we see coming up over and over in the show.

Before we do that, I’d love to get your input.

Email me at {podcast at sewheidi dot com} and let me know, what did you think about this format? Is there anything you would like to see done differently?

Your feedback helps make the show better, so don’t be a stranger and reach out anytime :).

Episodes referenced & examples of “know thy customer”

Connect with cohost Robyn:

Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine.

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD053: 4 Best Practices for Fashion Job Search Success, with Recruiter Shellie Simpson

Sew Heidi, Shellie Simpson — Mon, 28 May 2018 10:00:00 -0400

She shares her 4 best practices for aspiring fashion professionals, and her insights will surely make your job search process easier and more enjoyable.

She also explains the common freelance/employee dilemma, how to get started with a talent recruiter, and the one area that should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews.

Shellie shares this advice in a transparent and honest way that you don’t want to miss. Listen now!

Outline of This Episode

[0:45] Shellie Simpson, Talent Director, Fashion Division, at Atrium Staffing, is my guest for this episode
[3:52] How does someone get started with a recruiter?
[5:27] Best advice for presenting your portfolio in an effective way
[14:52] What works and what stands out with resumes
[21:32] Do these things to prepare for your interviews
[26:07] Avoiding the freelance vs. employee trap in fashion design
[33:31] Can you break into the industry without a lot of work experience?
[38:37] Creative ways to gain experience without a fashion design degree
[41:22] Shellie’s best advice for older job seekers
[49:54] This skill should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews
[55:05] Shellie’s final words of advice for fashion industry professionals

Shellie’s best advice for presenting your portfolio in an effective way

A fashion professional’s most effective tool is their portfolio - a creative display of your most effective ideas and a showcase of your design process. Shellie explains that interviewers want to see your work in Adobe Creative Suite programs and how you complete your design process. It’s also critical to demonstrate through your portfolio where you draw your inspiration from.

Regarding the size of your portfolio, you can highlight your capabilities without overwhelming your interviewer. Including every project since your fashion school days may not be necessary - ensure you tailor your portfolio specifically for every company. Hear the full details on why portfolios can be your biggest asset when completed well by listening to this episode. .

Resumes receive 6 seconds worth of attention - make yours stand out!

Perfect these interviewing skills and land your dream job!

This one step is key for success in your post-graduation fashion job search

Connect with Shellie

Connect with Shellie on LinkedIn
Email Shellie
Atrium Staffing website
Follow Atrium Staffing on Twitter
Follow Atrium Staffing on Facebook

podcast@sewheidi.com

Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, YouTube or Spotify

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD052: Mailbag! Your fashion industry Q's answered

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 May 2018 10:00:00 -0400

Which is why I'm adding a monthly mailbag episode to the SFD podcast! Once a month, I'll take the best questions from listeners and answer them on the show.

(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast@sewheidi.com for consideration.)

Here are the questions I answer in the first mailbag episode!

On getting started in fashion, from Bridget [02:20]:

Do you think studying under the major fashion design in college would be a waste of time & if not will my minimum knowledge make it unsuccessful for me?

On getting more work as a freelancer, from Eirini [07:25]:

How do you sell your freelance services at social media such as instagram without coming across too pushy and get clients?

On the logistics of being a freelancer, from Kim [13:40]:

How are you able to do the product development side (fit comments, tech packs, vendor communication) as a freelancer? The last company I worked at we would have meetings daily and go over issues altogether etc.. Do you contact the factories and update the client as needed on a specified basis?

On protecting yourself as a freelance fashion designer, from Elvie [17:52]:

I’d like to get your advice on customers who will use your service once and then seem to disappear and not contact you again. I’ve had a few customers mainly just starting/ new businesses who approach me, have me work for them on a project maybe even two, get as much info, tech packs and my supplier contacts to then not contact me again. I know I do a great job for them (as their feedback is always quite positive) but I feel like they kinda use me just to get the contacts for manufacturers or suppliers. Is there a way I can protect myself from these kinds of situations? Has this ever happened to you?

On launching your fashion brand without any money, from Oge [25:43]:

My question is everybody you have invited to speak will always say that you need so much money to start a fashion line, as an immigrant and a fashion design student am really striving Hard to make it in the fashion industry, I have a blog, am a fashion stylist and now lunching my Online store and is very very difficult, can you please discuss on how to start small process and methods? Example I design my own t shirts and patterns and do the whole sewing myself because I can’t afford manufactural now am i doing the right thing or not?

On balancing fair prices and fair profits for your fashion brand, from Nicola [32:16]:

Many people I've spoken to advise that it's best to talk about what benefits the product offers consumers as a way of justifying pricing, which is great marketing advice. However, people want a quality garment that doesn't cost the earth too. What's the ethos behind fair pricing while still making a profit????

Resources mentioned in this episode:

If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast@sewheidi.com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show.

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SFD051: Discover How One Fashion Design Entrepreneur Created a Flexible Direct-to-Consumer Business

Sew Heidi, Allison Floam — Mon, 14 May 2018 11:27:09 -0400

Creating a direct-to-consumer (DTC) business in the fashion industry isn’t easy. Learn from serial entrepreneur and new fashion designer Allison Floam on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer - I promise it’s an episode you don’t want to miss.

Allison shares the story behind her latest business venture, Bello Belts. The company specializes in unique, handcrafted belts for women and men. Allison is using her diverse background in business and finance to craft a unique company that is breaking molds in the fashion industry and innovating in their own way.

Hear about the importance of selecting the right suppliers, how you can balance direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales opportunities, and the top 4 tips for aspiring fashion design entrepreneurs. Listen now!

Outline of This Episode

[0:43] My guest for this episode is Allison Floam, and she shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur
[3:44] How Allison got started and why she chose NYC-based production for Bello Belts
[12:55] Securing the right suppliers is key to a new fashion business
[18:30] Allison reflects on the past year of Bello Belts business
[27:30] Where did the funding come from for Bello Builts & how they secured customers
[33:05] Moving into wholesale opportunities as well as DTC avenues
[41:47] The best 4 tips for aspiring entrepreneur fashion designers

The benefits of choosing local production vs overseas options

Allison understood the importance of flexibility and collaboration when she was selecting production companies for Bello Belts. Since she didn’t have any fashion design experience prior to starting this company 1 ½ years ago, she wanted to keep the production close to home.

Bello Belts offers countless combinations of belt straps and buckles in various sizes and widths, and Allison wanted to be involved in the entire production process. She explains that “It’s hard to maintain control over a diverse product line with overseas-based production.” That’s why she chose to keep production based in NYC. She’s been extremely happy with her production so far, and you can learn from her journey. Don’t miss this episode for all the details.

Strategic areas to look at when securing new supplier partnerships

Selecting your suppliers for a new product is an essential step in creating a direct-to-consumer business. Without utilizing the best suppliers possible, your product quality and entire business will suffer.

Allison has AMAZING suppliers that she’s very thankful for. She went to online guides, visited stores and factories, and gravitated towards the warm, welcoming people who were understanding of entrepreneurs. She urges other fashion entrepreneurs to trust their instincts when it comes to talking with potential suppliers. Always go with the people who are comfortable with collaboration and those who can answer your questions about materials, sales opportunities, and other details they specialize in.

Handling the challenges of selling DTC as well as through wholesale opportunities

Even though Allison started Bello Belts with the intention of being solely a direct-to-consumer business, she realized that wholesale opportunities may be a great avenue for growth in the future. With the first year of business under her team’s belt, they began to understand the key balances between having many SKU items, inventory, and production times. Once they refined the online selling process, Allison and her team began looking at other opportunities to get the Bello Belts name into the industry.

That’s when Allison discovered the immense value in having customers see Bello Belts items in person. The product quality and value shone through! During the various in-person events and pop-up shops that Allison hosted she really enjoyed selling the product face-to-face. As Bello Belts moves forward they are examining wholesale opportunities to supplement the original direct-to-consumer business model, and you can learn from their journey. Be sure to give this episode your full attention.

The best 4 tips for aspiring entrepreneur fashion designers

Allison has years of entrepreneurship experience that she shares with listeners on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. She explains 4 essential tips that you need to hear:

Keep experimenting!
Surround yourself with people who support your weaknesses
Be vulnerable in asking for help
Be obsessively focused on identifying WHO your customer is

The most successful direct-to-consumer business entrepreneurs aren’t afraid of utilizing other team members to make the best team possible. They innovate on their own terms, pay attention to what’s working in the business and adjust accordingly. For more insights, be sure to give this episode your full attention.

Connect with Allison

Connect with Allison on LinkedIn
Bello Belts website
Follow Bello Belts on Twitter

Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, YouTube or Spotify

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SFD050: Special 50th Episode, Heidi Gets Interviewed

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 May 2018 11:22:55 -0400

Successful Fashion Designer podcast celebrates ONE YEAR 🎉🎉🎉!

It seems like just yesterday that having a podcast was something we just "talked" about...but here we are, 49 episodes and a year later, and we have a podcast.

The feedback has been through the roof, and starting this show has been one of the best things I've ever done. Not only do I get to meet and chat with amazing industry experts, I get to share all of these conversations, insights and gold nuggets of advice with YOU.

Thank you for listening each week. Thank you for the continued support and feedback. Thank you for being here to support me on this journey. Without each and every one of you, none of this would happen.

To thank you personally, and to give you a more personal glimpse into *my* journey as a designer, for episode 50 we decided to turn the tables. In this episode, Marc (my husband) will interview me.

Hear more about my (shoddy) beginnings as a designer, my best advice for starting your brand (even if you don't have funding like me), the surprising industry lessons I've learned from a year of interviews, and a handful of funny, embarrassing and downright bizarre stories about the last 15 years of my life working in fashion.

We had a great time recording this episode, and I know you'll enjoy listening.

Resources & People Mentioned

Episode #1 with Bjorn Bengtsson
Episode #17 with VMora
Episode #41 with Tricia of Hello World Fashion
Memories of starting my Funklectic brand

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SFD049: Learn How to Create a Stellar Fashion Portfolio From a Former Under Armour Designer, featuring Leila Jalili

Sew Heidi, Leila Jalili — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Contact Heidi: podcast (at) SuccessfulFashionDesigner.com

Few fashion professionals are as passionate and knowledgeable as Leila Jalili, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. She left her 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 and technical outerwear for women, men, and youth.

Throughout this inspiring conversation Leila shares key insights into how new designers can ensure their fashion portfolios stand out from the masses. She explains how to break into new markets by making opportunities for yourself and has an in-depth understanding of what employers are looking for in new hires.

Be sure to give this interview your full attention and share it with aspiring designers - your career will thank you.

Outline of This Episode

[0:42] Leila Jalili, former Senior Designer at Under Armour, is my guest for this episode
[3:15] Leila’s explanation of the common elements she sees in fashion portfolios
[8:26] What interviewers are looking for in fashion portfolios for new graduates
[13:38] Digital vs. physical portfolios, the pros/cons of each, and how to use sample garments
[16:04] How do you convey your strengths within a team collaboration piece?
[18:09] The importance of tailoring your portfolio for every interview
[23:36] The best tips for networking with industry professionals
[28:17] How Leila’s recent market research project impressed her freelance clients
[32:26] Take the extra opportunities to inject more ambition into your career
[34:32] How to determine if you need to move on from your current position or company
[37:39] The keys to making a 180 turn in your fashion design career through self-driven projects
[47:45] Leila’s best advice for designers
[53:17] Examples of exceptionally creative projects Leila has seen throughout her career
[56:30] Leila’s final words of advice for designers

What interviewers are looking for in fashion portfolios for newly-graduated designers

Interviewers know that a student fresh out of undergraduate school won’t have an extensive portfolio. Leila explains that they want to see your process: how you create color palettes, where you draw inspiration from, how you do research on fabric use or an industry segment, and your level of visual organization. Digital and print portfolios each convey different aspects of your personality and talent level, so consider supplying an interviewer with both. Conceptual designs, physical sample garments, and final products all add depth to your application and should be included.

Leila also explains that just as it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, it’s better to include more ideas and information in your portfolio than not enough. No matter what ideas you choose to put in your portfolio, make sure the platform is user-friendly and professional.

The importance of tailoring your fashion portfolio for different companies

There’s a fine line between being focused and not demonstrating the breadth of your abilities within your fashion portfolio. When I asked Leila about striking the balance between the two, she explained the importance of customizing your portfolio for every viewer. For example, she wouldn’t want to see a designer showcase a men’s shorts product if they were interviewing with a company that specializes in women’s business wear. Understand who will be viewing your portfolio, showcase your best work, and always show examples of what you’re capable of at every step in the design process.

Networking should be more than just collecting Linkedin connections - it’s about authentically connecting with industry professionals

In order to share your stellar portfolio with potential employers, you first have to make an initial connection. Too often designers get caught up in the minutia of “professional networking” and forget that it should be about having great conversations with like-minded people.

On this episode Leila and I discuss why working within the fashion industry is about knowing the right people and why taking opportunities to connect with industry professionals is so critical. Leila wants to see up and coming designers attending trade shows, going to conferences, and not being afraid of sharing their true selves. Today’s connections could turn into tomorrow’s employers and colleagues. For more, don’t miss this interview.

Why the side projects you’re passionate about could drive your career forward in unexpected ways

One of the highlights of my conversation with Leila was when she explained how a passion project of hers landed her additional freelance contracts. Essentially, she gathered trend research in the outdoor apparel industry not only for her own professional use but also because she's innately curious about the subject. It’s a story that can only be fully understood by listening to the audio, so be sure to listen.

She encourages designers to pursue aspects of the industry that they are most passionate about, even if it’s not directly tied to their day jobs. By showing future employers that you’re dedicated to pursuing a project even if it’s in your “off time,” you can end up creating powerful tools that will move your career forward.

Leila’s insights and more are all covered on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer, be sure to listen!

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Leila

Connect with Leila on Linkedin
Follow Leila on Twitter: @LittleJibber

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SFD048: How An Amazing Eco Friendly Clothing Brand Was Built On The Passion Of One Woman

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

If you need a shot of inspiration, you’ve got to hear this conversation with my guest Elle - the creator and designer behind Ellerali, an eco friendly clothing brand built solely on the passion of its founder. Elle wasn’t educated as a designer, she was trained as a marine biologist. But that hasn’t stopped her from following her passion for design, upcycling, and the creation of sustainable fashion.

Elle began sewing in 2012 and almost immediately began designing and handcrafting clothes. She loves to create out of repurposed fabrics in a way that does not add to the human imprint on planet Earth.

Ellerali is a lifestyle eco-fashion brand focused on multifunctional clothing that avoids waste and gives great value to the consumer at the same time. Elle’s guiding motto is “No scrap left behind.”

Join us for this conversation. It's inspiring, motivating, and encouraging to hear what passion can achieve.

Outline of This Episode

[0:42] A marine biologist turned designer.. a passionate designer doing amazing things
[5:15] Elle’s story: How she became the founder of an eco-friendly clothing brand
[11:28] Beginning to design and generating income to sustain her efforts
[20:34] Scaling the business and establishing unique, cause-oriented partnerships
[26:10] The promotional power of wearing and using your own product
[29:00] Making the most of curated craft shows and events
[34:10] The current challenge: scaling the business while creating and designing
[38:57] Manufacturers, investing in her business, and being true to her values
[52:20] Overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there
[56:50] The legalities and nuances of working in the upcycling movement
[1:07:24] What do people not ask about the fashion industry that they should?

The MFS (Multi-Functional Shawl): Elle’s stylish application of her desire to not be wasteful

A wonderful example of the creativity and ingenuity Elle brings to her eco friendly clothing designs is what she refers to as “The MFS” or Multi-Functional Shawl. As its name implies, it's a multifunctional clothing accessory that can be transformed to suit any outfit. It’s also reversible. I own two of these and love them!

The MFS is an item that Elle creates intentionally from salvaged material such as ends of fabric rolls or leftover scraps from a production run. She designs them with zero waste in mind. One of the unique things about the MFS is that those who purchase it truly receive a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing because of the nature and sourcing of the materials used in their creation.

You can see a video of the MFS here.

Elle wears her own eco friendly clothing because she believes she is her own best billboard

As Elle got started with her sewing and clothing design work, she wasn’t sure what would come of it. All she knew was that she loved doing it and making a positive impact at the same time. It was the marriage of two incredible passions. As she began making things, she began wearing them. That’s when she discovered an amazing reality…

She was her best billboard.

People she met began asking her where she got the unique things she was wearing. Naturally, she was encouraged by the attention and was humbled when, after discovering that she’d created the clothing herself, many of them asked if she would create a piece for them.

An incredible aspect of promotion that many DIY designers overlook is that people need to see the clothing in action, and you are indeed your best billboard. In this conversation, Elle and I talk about how important it is for designers to “eat their own cooking,” so to speak, and the powerful impact it has on product demand. There are many lessons to be learned from Elle’s experience. I hope you take the time to listen.

To maintain the values behind her eco friendly clothing brand, Elle has to move slowly

As any business endeavor begins to gain steam, it’s natural to become excited about the forward progress you're beginning to experience. But that excitement can lead to hasty decisions and compromise if we are not careful.

Elle points out that the things that she loves about her creations - that they are eco friendly and sustainable - are exactly the things she has to keep her focus on as she begins thinking about mass production of her clothing. There are so many opportunities to cut corners that bypass the vision behind what she's doing, and she never wants to do that.

So she’s taking it slow. One step at a time. In her words, “I want to grow, but I want to be smart about it.” That’s great advice for any designer, whether we’re creating eco friendly clothing or not, don’t you think?

“If we persist, it will happen.” Great advice from my friend that we all need to remember

Design is a passion even more than it is a means of making a living, so most of us who are truly committed to designing will likely stay at it, at least on a small scale. But for those of us who want to build something bigger, something that is able to create a lifestyle and life we love, it can be a very discouraging road.

One of the most important lessons Elle has learned in her journey so far is the value of persistence and consistency. She says that in spite of the discouragements that crop up along the way, the path is worth it and she simply needs to keep going. She doesn’t need to be afraid or nervous about what the future might bring. In her words, “If we persist, it will happen.”

I so enjoyed my reconnection and conversation with Elle. I encourage you to check out her eco friendly clothing line and support her as you are able. She’s a great inspiration to anyone just starting out in fashion design because it wasn’t too long ago that she was just starting out, too.

Thanks for listening.

Resources & People Mentioned

Elle’s Multifunctional Shawl (video)
Outland Denim - A purpose-driven business fighting human trafficking
Renegade LA Craft Show/Event
I’m Unique LA Craft Show/Event
Rewilder - Bags made from recycled beer filters
Jackalope Craft and Arts Fair in Pasadena, CA

Connect with Elle

http://www.ellerali.com
Ellerali on Instagram: @Ellerali

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Important Show Updates (and what they mean for you)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

As we near the one year anniversary for the show (WOW! Thank you for all your support to help us get this far!), I have some important updates about the podcast that affect you.

In this short episode, learn about:

the new bi-weekly publishing schedule
how you can get your fashion industry questions answered in the new mailbag episodes
where to discover behind the scenes bonus content
how you can help us make the show better for you

References mentioned in this episode:

podcast (at) successfulfashiondesigner.com
SFD on Patreon

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SFD047: Why Choose a Career as a Pattern Maker (instead of a fashion designer)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

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? Like a pattern maker career? A lot of the time, these jobs are less competitive than being a designer (but still as fun and creative).

Aileen Coyle is a perfect example of someone who decided to explore opportunities outside of "designer". She now works as a pattern maker in LA. At first, she was set on being a designer to use her creativity. But after getting her feet wet as a pattern maker, she realized it was just as creative and that she really loved it.

In the interview, Aileen and I discuss:

Why she loves her pattern maker career more than being a designer
How her German education set her up for success (hint: their system is really different than the US)
Why she keeps in touch with past coworkers, bosses and industry friends (hint: it's how she's found most of her jobs)
What she didn't love about working in fast fashion
How she's grown her career and worked her way up in the industry by networking
The different job opportunities and responsibilities for pattern makers

Guest Info & Resources

Aileen on LinkedIn

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD046: How to Authentically Engage with Your Audience for Fashion Entrepreneurs

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:00:00 -0400

As fashion creatives, we think if we come up with the world's most brilliant design...it will just sell itself. If we just put up an ecommerce site, people will flock to it and buy our beautiful designs.

Unfortunately...it doesn't work that way.

You can create the best product in the world, but if you don't strategically attract and engage with your audience, no one's going to buy it.

Virginia learned this the hard way when she launched her activewear brand years ago. So, she bought business courses, learned from others who had been successful, and implemented strategies to figure out what worked. In just 2 months, she turned her online shop around and started getting sales.

She now runs Fashion Founder, and online community where she teaches other fashion entrepreneurs how to build a profitable business. In our interview, she shares some of her best strategies to attract and authentically engage with your audience...so they naturally want to buy from you.

It's not snake oil or magic...in fact, the strategies to sell are quite simple once you learn them. I know you'll love our chat as much as I did.

In our interview, we discuss:

How to sharing value vs always selling
How to carve out a path for your customer to go down
Why you need to be clear about telling people what to do
How you can share your story and introduce yourself in an authentic way
Why it's so important to just be nice and say thank you
What you can do to build your Instagram, get people to your site, on your email, and then engage with them
What does engagement actually look like? How do you talk to people? What do you say?

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD045: How to Plan a Fashion Photoshoot (step by step)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0400

There are a lot of variables to consider to plan a fashion photoshoot. And in this interview, fashion photographer Kristen Walther and I cover all of them. From casting models to getting the right hair and makeup, and finding a perfect location to planning for a smooth day, we go through the entire photoshoot process, step by step.

You'll love her light hearted nature and will get a good laugh from her photoshoot horror stories (think braces!).

In our interview, we discuss:

The importance of casting models in real life
The one and only place you can cut corners if you're on a tight budget
How to coordinate and plan for a successful shoot
Simple things you can do to get the most shots done in a day
The difference between a look book and campaign shoot, and what to expect from each
Why she cringes at the phrase "we'll just Photoshop it"
Why getting an experienced model can make or break your shoot
When you need to get a permit (and how much you should budget)

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD044: This Company Runs their Fashion Brand like a Tech Startup (and they're crushing it)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Do you ever feel like the fashion design and development process moves at a snail's pace? We often work years and multiple seasons ahead, and by the time product is delivered, it's easy to feel like it's already outdated. Voormi thinks about things differently, and they're pushing the boundaries and timelines that fashion takes. What takes many brands 10 weeks to get done, they do in 10 days or even 10 hours.

How? They approach fashion with a tech startup mentality: rapid iteration and testing. They keep the entire design + development process close by (everything - even fiber sourcing and textile production - is done in the US). They use their own proprietary fabrics and work hard to push the performance limits of natural fibers.

Timm Smith is the CMO at Voormi, and he graciously took time to share their story and give us a behind the scenes sneak peak at how they built a brand that parallels industry giants like The North Face and Arcteryx.

If you're curious about where the future of fashion is headed, you'll love our talk (they are pioneering some amazing stuff). If you're a textile nerd, you'll love our talk (we geek out more than once). If you're passionate about made in America, you'll love our talk.

In our interview, we discuss:

Why Voormi decided to base their business out of a tiny town in rural CO (instead of a port town)
How they developed multiple patented fabrications that push the boundaries of natural fibers
How rapid iteration and testing helps protect their product from knockoffs
Why they spent 3 years on R&D before they officially launched
Why they had to look outside the apparel market to find partners for textile sourcing and production

Guest Info & Resources

Voormi's site

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD043: Build Your Career as a Freelance Pattern Maker (from anywhere)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:12:48 -0500

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 now earns a full-time living doing work he loves - pattern drafting and sample sewing. He does work for established and startup indie brands to help make sure their designs fit perfect (one of the most important parts).

When I first showed up to David's studio in Greeley, CO (a farm town an hour outside of Denver), I had no idea what would be behind the unassuming door in an industrial neighborhood.

Turns out, it's David studio where he does all his freelance pattern maker work.

I was lucky enough that David not only agreed to an audio interview, but he also let Marc and I bust out cameras for our (FIRST!) video documentary (eek!).

You can see the videos here: http://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-pattern-maker/.

(Oh, and BTW, if you want more behind the scenes content like this, you can find it only on this page).

Next, listen to the interview below where David and I talk about:

What a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry does
What is a block, cutter's must, grading, and other terminology a pattern maker uses (hey designers - you should know this stuff too!)
How to get started as a freelancer (even if you don't live in a fashion hub)
The importance of networking and being part of your local community
How to price your services
The ridiculously obvious thing David does to get more work (that most freelancers don't)
How David's process works (whether you have a sample garment or a napkin sketch)
How many opportunities there are to work in fashion outside of being a "designer"
What happens when you skimp or cut corners on pattern making
Why the fashion industry isn't full of all divas (and how we can create a different culture)

Guest Info & Resources

David's site (get in touch with him if you need a freelance pattern or sample maker!)
Ralph's Power Sewing
Denver Design Incubator

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD042: Surviving Failure and Competing Against Huge Fashion Brands

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:00:00 -0500

"But I'm just one person. It's hard competing against huge fashion brands out there?"

It can feel really hard to launch your fashion line when you're just one person. Which is why you have to persevere and you have to find support somewhere.

And I know I sound all fluffy inspirational here...which is pretty out of character. I'm known for tactics and strategies and actual "how to's".

So stick with me!

Because in this episode, we talk about how to do all these things.

The first time Ryan launched his brand, Till I Die, it failed. He was forced to return to corporate America.

The second time? He's succeeding. But it hasn't been without said perseverance and support.

So, how is he making it all happen?

He works is ass off. He knows which friends have his back and which ones he needs to cut lose. He knows that to get a single "yes" from a buyer, he has to get THIRTY "no's". He knows how quickly costs add up and that may mean surviving on $20k a year and eating Ramen.

Ryan also knows how hard it is competing against huge fashion brands.

He and I met on the trade show floor of Outdoor Retailer when I showed up with my recorder and did impromptu interviews with 9 brands. And he told me outright how hard it was to compete in sis small 10x20 foot booth that was swallowed by the 100x100 foot / two-story / monstrous booths that the big brands spend millions on.

Which leads us to the second guest on the show, Nick Eliason of Outdoor Innovation Show. I also met Nick on the trade show floor, and what he's doing with OIS is soooo cool.

The fashion industry is shifting.

How product is created is shifting.

And how you reach the end consumer is shifting.

But the trade show model has stagnated. And for a lot of brands, it isn’t working.

So Nick and his team are reinventing the trade show model so it’s more inline with how the fashion / retail / direct to consumer space has shifted. It’s designed to help us all work together to create amazing product and get it to the people who need it most: our customer.

You're going to love both of these interviews. Here's a sneak peak of what we talk about:

Why you should 3x the amount of money you think you need
If you don’t have the passion and work ethic to do the work, don’t go into fashion
The importance of finding a support network of friends
Why retail distribution has been key for Ryan to legitimize the brand and get a bigger reach
Strategies for wholesale exclusivity and creating partnerships
The real numbers and the finances: how much he’s spent, the orders he’s writing at the show, and what he's living off of (it's not much)
How to compete with the huge fashion brands and booths
Getting used to rejection (you'll get 30 no's for every yes)
The outdated trade show model and why it doesn't work for most brands

Guest Info & Resources

Till I Die, Ryan's brand
Outdoor Innovation Show, Nick's new trade show model (first show is July 2018)

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD041: How to Set Up Your Fashion Brand Successfully, from Samples to Production

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 08:00:00 -0500

Tricia runs her fashion studio, Hello World Fashion, in DTLA. With more than a decade of experience in the industry designing, sourcing and doing production, she can help you set up your fashion brand successfully, from the entire design through development process, including sampling and production.

One of the things I love most about how Tricia runs her studio is her dedication to designer's successes. While many sample rooms or development houses will just take your money and do what you tell them (even if they know it's a bad idea or won't work), Tricia will give you her honest constructive advice to help you set up your fashion brand for success and sure you make the right decisions throughout the entire process. She also is completely transparent about her process, suppliers and the supply chain (she'll help you source your fabric, but won't keep that supplier a secret from you - whaaat? YES!).

Tricia shares tons of lessons she's learned in her industry experience including when / why you want to source locally versus offshore, whether you should use stock or custom fabrics, and how to think about wholesale and retail pricing to set yourself up for success.

In the interview, we talk about:

Different business models to gain success with your fashion brand
When and why you'd want to develop custom fabric vs working with stock materials
What the design to development process looks like
The importance of a tech pack whether you're making 20 units or 20k units
The most important questions you need to ask your suppliers as a startup designer
Options for protecting your designs (and why you shouldn't always worry about it)
How to think about scaling and planning for the future

For details and to RSVP to the LA meet & greet party with Tricia and me, click here. Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD040: Behind the Scenes with 7 Fashion Industry Professionals

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 08:00:00 -0500

It's not often we literally go this far behind the scenes of the fashion industry on the podcast. But when the Outdoor Retailer trade show landed in my backyard (Denver), I knew I had to show up with my recorder to capture impromptu podcast interviews.

Now, if I'm honest, doing this made me pretty anxious...

You see, schmoozing in real life makes me uncomfortable. In fact, it's one of those things I often dread for weeks beforehand. I've gotten so used to working from home and doing conference calls that my "in person networking muscle" is atrophied.

And walking up to complete strangers on their turf (their trade show booth) gives my nerves a good shake.

But you know what happened? It was a blast and I'm thrilled I did it. People were excited to tell their story, share their fashion industry insights, and talk about how the OR trade show was going.

In this Successful Fashion Designer podcast episode, I compiled these trade show floor interviews into one "mixed tape" episode. You'll meet some amazing people who share their stories and insights on:

How brands are dealing with retail vs wholesale as the industry shifts and product distribution leans towards direct to consumer
The importance of respecting your retail partners to create a better landscape for everyone
Hard lessons learned after decades in the industry
Why finding or creating the right partnerships can make or break your success
Using apparel as a canvas to support urban artists and charitable causes like lymphoma and leukemia
How technology is being used to break down workplace gender barriers

Here are the 7 wonderful people you'll meet in this episode:

[04:37] Lanny Goldwasser of Phunkshun Wear started the brand in a small mountain condo with just a sewing machine. His company now sells over 2400 ski masks a week. Lanny's story is inspiring and refreshing as he focuses on building a brand he believes in instead of just caring about the dollars.
Neal Caplowe and his textile company, Sport Science was on the cutting edge of the athleisure trend in 2005. He's one of those awesome guys who's been in fashion for decades, and right away you know he's full of fun stories and great advice. Neal shares lessons learned on finding the right partners and what he would have done differently during the 12 years he ran Sport Science.
[30:50] Aleida Junda works for Soybu, another brand who started designing athleisure before it was huge trend. Now competing in an overly saturated market, Aleida shares how they're standing out in a crowded marketplace and focusing on partnerships to create more success for everyone.
[43:54] Bob Heimann started All City Artwear to give urban artists another canvas for their art: apparel. With his production knowledge and their artistic eye, the partnership is a perfect match and collaboration to create unique product. Bob shares insights from his decades of working in fashion and the importance of enjoying the journey, not just focusing on the destination.
[56:38] Ashley Schendel launched POP Fit Clothing with no fashion industry experience. The brand went viral on Instagram by offering a free pair of leggings to new customers and 2017 alone, her team of 16 distributed over 350,000 pairs of leggings. Ashley shares how she built her business from zero and broke into a crowded marketplace.
[1:04:39] Cameron Ferrara is executive director of the non-profit Carve 4 Cancer. Their team (all volunteers, including Cameron) works hard to "shred blood cancer" through action sports events. They raise money by selling basic screen printed shirts and hoodies, and they're working on taking it to the next level with customized product. Cameron shares the product development challenges they're facing and how they're overcoming them.
[01:13:13] Peter Jackson is the CEO of Bluescape, a collaborative digital workspace designed to help people produce great work. It's hard to explain in writing how cool their "infinite workspace" is, but the thing I loved most about chatting with Peter was learning about the unexpected results their customers are seeing: gender and personality barriers being broken down to create more creative and collaborative workplaces.

These interviews were SO fun to conduct and even more fun to edit together into one amazing segment. I hope you enjoy meeting these awesome people and getting a behind the scenes peak into different brands from the Outdoor Retailer trade show. Watch for another "trade show floor" episode coming on 2/26, I've got two more interviews from OR to share with you :)

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SFD039: How to Launch Your Fashion Line with No Experience

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 08:00:00 -0500

If you have no fashion industry experience, it can feel really daunting to try and start your own clothing line. Where do you source materials? How do you find factories and manufacturers? How do you sell your line to retail shops?

But if you go slow, do your research, and have some patience, you'll discover you can get yourself off the ground.

And that's exactly what Kristen of Exclusively Kristen did to start her fashion line with no experience. She spent the last 3 years navigating the industry one step at a time to get her line of tops for full busted women off the ground.

She patiently and diligently researched what her customer wanted to make sure her product fit right, used the right fabric in the right colors and hit the right price point. After this long journey of educating herself and learning how to manufacture a product and work with factories, she recently started talking to factories in China to get her designs produced.

In the interview, we cover:

Why it's worth the small investment of hiring an expert to make sure things are done right
How spending a little more money up front pays off 10x in the long run
The value of asking your suppliers for referrals
The importance of deeply understanding your customer
Why you should have the self discipline to go slow and make sure your product is done right
Her strategy of using pop up shops to get to know her audience and build a base following
The difference in pricing, minimums and fabric costs from American made vs overseas

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD038: Hard Lessons Learned From a Career in Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 08:00:00 -0500

Stamatina is a designer who finally gave up on her fashion career dream, and wanted to share her fashion career lessons.

Now, I don't want to start this episode with a negative tone. Or make you feel like you too will have to give up on your fashion dream. But I wanted to bring Stamatina on the show after she sent me an email that said this:

"I REALLY wanted to get the “dirt” out THERE!!! I wanted to LET people know my REAL life experience and how much money, time and sweat it took for me to finally give up my lifetime dream!! I felt it was my responsibility to save these newbies / young fashion designers who really had no clue what they were setting their selves up for!!! If I could go back and start over, oh boy!! I would do everything so differently today because the lessons I learned were very expensive and affected not only myself but my family as well."

Here's the thing:

We all go through tough times and learn the hard way. There are stepping stones for everything in life.

But sometimes hearing other people's fashion career lessons can help make these experiences a little easier for ourselves. So in an effort to continue this week with more honest conversation in response to last week's dialog about the painful truths of working in the fashion industry, I invited her on the show.

Here's a little bit of her backstory:

Stamatina gave her hand at launching her own collection of dresses and resort wear. After investing $20k+ of her own money, some overhyped fashion shows that didn't result in any sales, and falling down the "I'll just put this on my credit card" trap, she shut down her business to pursue a fashion design job in NYC.

Unfortunately, those jobs didn't bring her the happiness or joy she was searching for. She got stuck in abusive workplaces with bosses who didn't appreciate her.

So she put her fashion dream aside to pursue a career in beauty.

In this episode, Stamatina shares her unfiltered experience of what worked, what didn't, and what she would have done differently. She also shares why she doesn't regret doing any of it.

In the interview (which I know you'll love) we cover:

The realities of working in fashion
What it takes to have your own fashion label
Why you need to start slow (crawl before you run)
Being smart about utilizing fabrics + colors + trims across multiple styles
Considering costs and how quickly things add up, especially in relation to how much you can actually sell your designs for
Having agreements with your pattern makers and other vendors and being clear about what you will get
Knowing when to stop, slow down, say no, or just go a different route
Having a strong stomach for working in this industry
The importance of standing up for yourself
What school doesn't teach you compared to what's expected in real life (be prepared to figure things out as you go!)

Listen now for an industry insider's peak into fashion career lessons, so your journey may be a little smoother.

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD037: Our Similar Fashion Journeys (you're not alone)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 08:00:00 -0500

Last week, for the first time ever, I shared the full, unedited version of my fashion journey with you. It included:

And your response was overwhelming.

My inbox was flooded with 100s of emails from you, and to my surprise, you were all thankful. Because no one else is talking about this stuff, you were relieved someone finally was.

Initially, I was anxious and nervous about how you would react. Would you think I was a fraud (because my fashion line turned into a collection of guitar pick earrings that I hated!) or a dream crusher (because I told you the harsh financial realities of having your own fashion brand and how FUCKING hard it is to sell product!)?

But you didn’t. I didn’t get one negative or mad response. You were happy to hear honesty and refreshed.

And even more important, you realized you weren’t alone. That there are other people going through the same exact things as you are.

Your story and my story and everyone else’s stories are surprisingly similar.

I’ve never gotten this much reaction to anything I’ve put out.

I’ve never gotten this many emails, and your replies have never been this emotional.

So, I wanted to continue the conversation. I wanted to share some further thoughts on all of this and to emphasize the importance that none of us is alone.

Which is why I bumped the previously scheduled episode to next week, and did an impromptu recording to further discuss what we’re all going through and the realities of working in fashion.

Because this is really important stuff. And no one else is talking about it.

We’ll be back next week with a regular episode, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy what I have to say.

If you want to continue this conversation, follow me on Patreon.

In an effort to talk more about this, give you additional behind the scenes bonus content, and to listen more to what you want, we’re committing 6 months to doing Patreon. The effort is not to collect money but rather to have more honest and quality conversation about working in fashion. You can follow at Patreon.com/SFD.

And you can find the promised (and embarrassing) photos of my fashion line, Funklectic, at SFDNetwork.com/37.

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SFD036: How to Make it in the Fashion Industry (and in Manhattan) with Caroline Vazzana

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 08:00:00 -0500

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 true. You can push through the noise and rise to the top.

Which is exactly what Caroline Vazzana of Making it in Manhattan did. And in this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I am over the moon excited to introduce her to you so she can share how she made it in the fashion industry (and how you can too).

Caroline Vazzana, a prominent influencer in the fashion industry who calls herself the modern day Carry Bradshaw, does partnerships, collaborations and attends events with people like Betsey Johnson, Christian Soriano and Heidi Klum. We're talking serious celeb status here!

Caroline started her career in fashion journalism, but quickly realized she wanted to do more than that. So she branched out to start her own company and blog, Making it in Manhattan, which covers everything you need to make it in Manhattan from resume tips to how to sit front row at fashion week (yep, every day people like you and me can get that sort of inside access).

She also shares a glimpse behind the scenes of her personal life and answers the questions we're all dying to know like does she have a photographer following her around? How big is her closet? And how many of the amazing clothes she gets to wear are actually hers?

Spoiler alert: this is her actual NYC closet!

In the interview (which I know you'll love) we cover:

The top 3 things you can do to start your own fashion blog
How to plan and prepare for quitting your day job
Why you should never take no for an answer
The importance of persistence and consistency
Her strategies for growing an Instagram following
Why it's ok to say no to things that aren't a good match for your personal brand
How she launched her fashion career with no industry contacts
Her thoughts on making friends and relationships rather than "networking"
Why you have to "just start now" because life it too short

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Click here to learn more about the Fashion Freelancer coaching + mastermind program mentioned in this episode.

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SFD035: Build Your Career as a Contract Fashion Designer (and work from home)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 10:46:06 -0500

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 how you can too.

Hillary Glenn is a full-time remote contract fashion designer who built up her freelance business using LinkedIn, networking at trade shows and by going above and beyond with every client project she did. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she shares exactly how.

We cover tons of other strategies like:

How to present your portfolio (and why she hasn't updated hers in a really long time)
How to figure out pricing (and why it's ok if you mess up and underbid)
Why she always presents more ideas to her clients than they ask for (hint: it gets her more work!)

Hillary also shares her thought process behind calling herself a "contract" fashion designer instead of a "freelance" fashion designer. This is a topic I've discussed before, since most "freelance" work in the fashion industry is actually illegal.

Whether you're trying to start a career as a freelance fashion designer or you've been freelancing for a while, you're going to love this episode.

Oh, and we also talk about her personal journey on launching her own fashion line which she's in the middle of right now! We only touch on it at the end for a few minutes, but she's excited to finally be moving forward after thinking about doing it for years. She said she didn’t want to wait any longer, “there’s no perfect time to do this, so just do it now."

Guest Info & Resources

Hillary's Website
Connect with Hillary on LinkedIn
Email Hillary: hillaryglenndesign@gmail.com
Hillary's Brand, Glenn and Glenn

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
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SFD034: Happy New Year 2018!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 08:00:00 -0500

Happy New Year everyone! Today, it's just Heidi here wishing you a happy and safe holiday! We'll be back next week with a brand new episode - talk to you then.

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SFD033: 2017 Review + 2018 Preview

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Dec 2017 11:46:05 -0500

Just Heidi on the show today, and I'm going through a review of 2017. This was a big year of change and growth for me and the business, so I figured what better time to share it with you than on the last episode of the year (which happens to be Christmas day - Merry Christmas!). I'll highlight some of the big events, some small but meaningful changes I've had, and some failures too. Because hey, we all have them. I also wanted to give you a sneak preview of what we're planning for 2018. Nothing's concrete (which is weird since I'm a big over planner!) but there are a few things you can expect to see in the first few months of the year. Hit play to hear those updates :)

Hope you have a Happy Holiday with your family and I'll talk to you next week.

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SFD032: Best of 2017

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:48:49 -0500

It's almost the end of the year, and to celebrate how far the show has come in just 6 short months (thanks to you for all the support!), I put together a Best Of episode to feature some of my favorite clips.

Now, this was no easy task. I re-listened to a ton of tracks and it was really hard to pick the best ones.

If you only listen to one entire episode from the show, let it be this one.

To make things easy for you, I broke it into 3 main categories: launching a label, freelancing, and career growth. There's also a short bonus clip at the end :)

Here are the timestamps if you want to jump around:

Launching a Label: 04:31 Freelancing: 14:14 Career Growth: 25:12

And if you want to hear the full episode for any of the featured clips, here's the list:

Launching Your Label

Episode 20: Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District on how to find low minimum fabrics and trims for your fashion collection. Episode 9: Traceena and Lauren of The Sales Concept on how to increase sales and profits for your fashion brand.

Freelancing

Episode 2: Melissa Mendez on how to get more freelance clients with email pitching (with word for word scripts you can use). Episode 4: Marissa Borelli on how to stay in touch with prospects so they always think of you first when they have work.

Career Growth

Episode 18: Dior of Pepper Your Talk on how to write a resume that gets you the job, even if you have no experience. Episode 6: Chris Kidd of Style Careers on how experienced designers can make sure they get the wage they deserve

Bonus Clip on Fighting Fear

Solomon is one of those kind hearted soft souled people that you just want to give a giant bear hug to. I've not met him in real life, but when I do, that hug is happening (you've been warned, Solomon, you've been warned!). There are two parts to his episode, one on creativity, one on fear. If you're feeling creatively stuck or are terrified of putting yourself out there, these episodes are mandatory listening. The sound of his voice alone with soothe you - pinky promise ;)

Episode 23: Solomon on staying creative even when you're uninspired or feel like there's never any time. Episode 24 (the clip is from this one): Solomon on getting past fear and maintaining your cool so you can get through any situation.

If you would have asked me a couple years ago if I'd be sitting here recording a weekly podcast and interviewing industry experts from around the world, I would have said no way.

But here I am, and I'm loving every minute of it.

Thank you for your support and continued listening. Can't wait to see what 2018 brings for all of us.

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SFD031: Behind the Scenes of an $87k Kickstarter Launch

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 10:52:14 -0500

With no fashion background, experience or contacts, Sarah Coronado launched an insanely successful Kickstarter campaign for her underwear line, Blooms Privé. Now, if you listen to the interview, you'll hear me mention multiple times that these undies - the world's first period-friendly travel panty - are not something that a podcast does justice to.

You have got to see them to really appreciate the ingenuity behind the product. Meticulously engineered for quick change and self-packing so you can be discrete, here are the undies every woman needs in her drawer:

Sarah's journey from idea to launch is not unique. Like most successful brands and Kickstarter campaigns, it took a lot of hard work, passion and drive. Within the first few minutes of meeting her, it was clear that her ambitious attitude and unwillingness to accept rejection or failure is why she's been able to create so many amazing opportunities for herself.

Sarah spent 9 months planning and strategizing the Blooms Privé Kickstarter campaign to make sure things went right. She also enlisted the help of experts to support with unknown territories. Her planning and careful execution resulted in not only a successful campaign, but she planned ahead to make sure she could keep up the momentum after it all ended.

I really hope you love this interview as much as I did, Sarah's story is inspiring, honest and humble. If you're thinking about launching a label or doing a Kickstarter campaign, there is so much packed in our 49 minutes together that I know you'll love.

You Will Learn

Why you can’t work in a vacuum
The value of getting feedback and building something with your audience and your community
The importance of sharing your journey, story and behind the scenes stories with your customers
How long it takes to build a successful Kickstarter campaign (hint: it's not overnight!)
Different options for funding your venture
Why sometimes you just gotta google and figure it out! Read, learn and ask people!
How to figure out how much money you need and what you need it for
Why you should hire experts and not try to do everything yourself
How to pre-validate your idea / product before kickstarting it

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Get More Resources

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD030: How to Get Press Coverage & Publicity for Your Fashion Line

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:59:51 -0500

If you love step by step instructions, you're going to love this SFD episode. Rosie Davies runs The London Fashion Agency and PR Dispatch to help indie brands get the press coverage they deserve. In our interview, she walks us through the exact process brands can use to get featured in publications, on blogs, or with influencers.

From figuring out what magazines to pitch to, what your email should say, and what to do if you don't hear back, she graciously spent an hour with us answering all our PR questions and telling us exactly how startup fashion brands can get publicity.

Considering agency retainers can set you back $3k / month, this is a pretty sweet deal. Thank you Rosie for sharing all your knowledge!

You Will Learn

The number one mistake designers make when trying to get press coverage
Why it’s worth investing in professional photography and brand assets before doing PR
How to determine what publications are right for your brand
Bigger doesn’t always mean better - why small publications can be your best bet
How to figure out who to contact at the publication (and where to find their email)
What to send in your pitch email (and what the subject line should be)
The importance of engaging with influencers before reaching out
Why you should think outside “fashion” influencers
What to look for in publications to decide if they’re right for you
Why you shouldn’t invest in advertorial coverage
The surprising details about your brand that publications really care about
When you should say no to press coverage
The top 3 things publications want to know about your brand or product to feature it
How to make sure you pitch the right product at the right time
How to stand out and make sure your pitch email gets read and your designs get featured
The best time to send your pitch emails
When - and how - to send follow up emails if you don’t hear back
How to use Instagram to engage with press and influencers
When - and why - to mail a physical product sample
How to leverage one feature to get more publicity
How long to expect to wait before getting press coverage
What not to do so you don’t annoy the press or editors

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Get More Resources

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD029: Fashion Career Advice for Ambitious Designers

Sew Heidi — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 12:33:16 -0500

Malie’s climbed her way up the corporate ladder in the fashion industry and now works for one of the largest fashion brands in the industry, PVH. It took her a while to realize it, but she unconsciously did some strategic things that helped her gain traction and keep moving forward in her career. When she started implementing those strategies on purpose, she noticed promotions, new opportunities and career advancement seemed to land in her lap.

Networking? I know many of us hate that dirty word, but it works. Malie walks us through the best way to network online, at events, and even with coworkers. It's these relationships that will help you move up in your job, or land a new one.

Going above and beyond? It’s hard to think about doing more work when so many of us are already swamped with our day to day tasks. But if you want to get noticed, you’ve got to put in a little extra effort. Malie shares simple things you can do to create more opportunity for yourself like chances to work on new projects and make your boss (and team) love you.

The best part? Some of these things are surprisingly simple and take very little effort to implement, but the results are extraordinary.

Malie also now runs Pickglass.com, an online business that offers fashion career advice and helps designers grow in the fashion industry.

You Will Learn

The surprisingly simple things you can do to get ahead in your career
Why it pays to stay in touch with college friends and colleagues over the years
How to network in any situation
The one thing you can do to break into the fashion industry and land your first job
Why you shouldn’t always focus on moving up, and what to strategize on instead
The importance of customizing your resume for every job application
Why you can’t afford to get too comfortable in your job

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Get More Resources

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD028: Thanksgiving Thanks! A Special Holiday Message Just for You

Sew Heidi — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:39:07 -0500

It's Thanksgiving week in the US, so we're taking a holiday on the podcast. But I did create a short holiday message just for you to say thanks for all your support and give you a heads up on a few things we're planning for 2018.

If you want to give your feedback on the idea I shared about recording your questions for the show, you can send your input to podcast at successfulfashiondesigner dot com.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks again for all the support, and hope you have a great week, holiday or not ;)

xx Heidi

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SFD027: Curled up in a Ball Crying: How Community Can Save You

Sew Heidi — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 -0500

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 and fabric suppliers, and pooling efforts for fashion shows and events helped everyone in her community get further.

Together, they celebrated the highs and helped each other through the lows. The times when you're at your worst and you want to give up, curled up in a ball on your bathroom floor in a pool of tears.

Nathalie is brutally honest, humble and transparent about what goes into working in fashion and she doesn't sugarcoat anything. It's something I appreciate tremendously about her.

Listen now for a candid and truly behind the scenes look at what it means to really work as a startup or indie designer.

You Will Learn

Why building a community and working together with other designers will sky rocket all of you ahead
What it means to work collectively, and why it's much better than working competitively
How making it through failures is the true measurement of your success
The financial challenges, constraints and realities of being an independent designer
Why fashion shows don’t actually do anything for you
The importance of taking time to get out there, network and meet people

Nathalie & Her Work

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? Help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Get More Resources

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD026: How Millennials Are Giving the Fashion Industry a Better Name

Sew Heidi — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 -0500

Liz Segran covers fashion at Fast Company, a world leading progressive business magazine. She’s interviewed hundreds of industry professionals, and in this week’s episode, I turned the tables and interviewed her.

In our chat, Liz shares her interesting perspective of how the fashion industry is changing at the hand of millennials and what that means for consumers and industry professionals like you and me. From abusive workplace realities to startup fashion trends, she has a pulse on what’s happening and why brands do or don't succeed.

Liz’s outlook and the overall trends she sees in fashion are positive. Our industry is making progress towards being more inclusive, and there’s more room than ever for startup brands to find their place in a crowded and saturated market.

Our conversation takes a few interesting turns and we cover tons of topics, so whether you're a budding designer launching a label or trying to climb the corporate ladder, there's something just for you in this episode.

You will learn:

How millennials have put their foot down and said no to abusive working environments and unjust exclusivity in fashion
How to find room for your brand in an industry that seems overly saturated
How the industry is changing to be more inclusive, both for consumers and professionals
Why simple thoughtfulness in your product design, fabric choices and function can have a drastic shift on your brand’s trajectory
How to present your product to your audience in a way that makes sense and resonates with them
Why transparency in your supply chain and pricing structure is becoming the new norm in fashion
What brands are doing in wearables that’s actually working (instead of using technology for technology’s sake)

Guest Info & Resources

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD025: Make the Most of A Fashion Sourcing Trade Show

Sew Heidi — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 13:01:17 -0400

If you’re launching a label, you don’t want to miss this episode. You'll discover not only how to make your trade show visit worthwhile, but also hear Trish's insights on making it as a startup designer.

You will learn:

When you should attend your first tradeshow (hint: it’s sooner than you think)
How to prepare for a successful show
Why follow up after the show is the most important part of building relationships
The difference between sourcing at a small show like DGexpo vs a large show like Magic
How to explain to suppliers what you want if you don’t speak the right lingo

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD024: Part 2: Fighting Fear in Fashion

Sew Heidi — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

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.

Solomon fully admits that he's a nervous, anxious wreck internally. But he carries himself calmly so that the fear and panic don't overcome or cripple his potential.

And his strategy works.

With 15 years experience in the corporate fashion world (plus a few of his own collections), he's gotten so good at remaining calm in stressful situations that his demeanor spreads like wild fire through any room. His team and coworkers tell him this regularly.

You'll hear it in his voice throughout the entire interview, and I promise you'll experience the contagiousness firsthand. Within 5 minutes, I bet you feel more relaxed, inspired and ready to take on life than you have in a while.

Solomon is an awesome human being with a great view on life. I am thrilled to now call him a friend, and if I ever had to return to the corporate world, he's a man I would be thrilled to call a boss.

I hope you enjoy this episode, it's one of my absolute favorites so far.

You will learn:

How behaving like the person you want to be will transform you into that person
How to reframe your mindset around fear so it doesn’t prevent your progress
Why we should be childlike, not childish
Why Solomon asks himself “what’s the most loving thing I can right now” to figure out his next steps for everything
Why you should never assume what someone wants (especially in an interview)

Guest Info & Resources:

Solomon Eversole Website
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
David Hockney
Meisner "act as if" technique
Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD023: Part 1: How to Stay Creative (when there's never any time)

Sew Heidi — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 11:45:12 -0400

Solomon Eversole has the most calm and collected approach to creativity I've ever witnessed. With 15 years experience working in the corporate world and on his own collections, he's figured out the best ways to help himself and his team express their artistic side in an industry that thrives on tight deadlines and late nights.

Solomon explains his "plan first" approach to creativity. Giving himself a comfortable amount of time, the right mindset, and being prepared with the necessary tools, his outcomes are not only better, but he feels more peace of mind during the creative process.

If you struggle with creative block, creative panic, or creative pressure, listen to this episode now. Not only will Solomon inspire you with new ways to approach your creativity, his cool, calm and collected demeanor will provide you with a sense of relief in an industry where we all too often feel overwhelm.

And watch for Part 2 of our interview on overcoming fear. It's out next week.

You will learn:

How “Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”
Why you need to give yourself the time and freedom to explore your creativity
The importance of controlling what you can can control (because plenty of things will become urgent on their own)
Why planning gets a bad name but why it’s essential
The 80% rule and why you always need a “fresh set of eyes”
Why mood boards aren’t as essential to the creative process as you may think
How to relieve yourself from the pressure of being creative
How to prioritize your time and efforts when you feel like everything has to be done now
That it's ok if everything you create isn't brand new

Guest Info & Resources:

Solomon Eversole Website
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
David Hockney
Meisner "act as if" technique
Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD022: Why We All Must Ask: Who Made My Clothes?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Carry Somers is founder of Fashion Revolution - a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. If you’ve seen the “Who Made My Clothes” sign that millions of consumers, brands and producers have shared on social media, then you know what Fashion Revolution is doing. Simply put, they’re asking us to be more curious about where our clothes come from and who made them.

You will learn:

The harsh truths about what goes on behind the scenes in many factories
Why higher price doesn’t mean ethically made
Why paying fair wages and creating safe workplaces for garment workers only increases your garment cost by $0.50
Why being curious can have the biggest impact towards a more ethical supply chain
What you can do - as just one person - to make a change and have a voice

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD021: How to Get Funding for Your Fashion Startup

Sew Heidi — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Billie Whitehouse has been called the Elon Musk of Fashion. In just 4 1/2 years, she's launched multiple successful wearable tech products. Her most recent, Nadi X, is a line of activated yoga apparel that listens & responds to your body. In the interview, Billie shares her valuable lessons learned about getting funding, advice for growing your circle of friends to help support you during your ventures, and how to create a product that your customer loves.

You will learn:

How to know when you’re ready to go after funding
Why you’ll probably get rejected 100+ times (and that’s ok)
Why you should become friends with your competition
How to get over the dirty “networking” word
Why you need to put your customer, not yourself, first
The difference between emotional vs quantifiable data in fashion tech, and which direction we’re moving towards
The importance of creating experiences for people through the clothes they wear
Why you should look at yourself as a designer of the future
Where fashion tech is heading and why you can’t ignore it

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD020: How to Source Low Minimum Fabrics & Trims for Your Fashion Collection

Sew Heidi — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Jay is your absolute one stop shop for sourcing anything and everything you need to make your product, including fabrics, trims, hangtags, labels and so much more. In this interview, Jay shares why indie designers are seeing more success now than they were 5 years ago, what materials you can cut costs on and where you may want to spend a little more, and why buying from NYC’s garment district is the biggest mistake most designers make.

You will learn:

The different supplier tiers: retail, jobber, fabric importer, converter and mill
Why you need to be really careful buying from a jobber
The challenges of sourcing fabric in the NYC garment district
Why independent designers are seeing greater success now than 5 years ago
The importance of continuity in the supplies you source
Why logistically it’s more expensive to do small batch production overseas than locally
What materials you can cut corners and costs on, and what ones you don’t want to

Guest Info & Resources:

The Sourcing District Website
The Sourcing District on Instagram
Call Jay: 708-386-8586
Email Jay: jay@thesourcingdistrict.com

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD019: What's it really like to manufacture apparel in the US?

Sew Heidi — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 10:00:50 -0400

Kathryn Hilderbrand is a master tailor, designer and business entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience working in the fashion industry. She founded Good Clothing Company in 2015 to create small runs of production for designers, and is passionate about bringing clothing manufacturing back to the United States. In this interview, she shares why it's important to bring manufacturing back to the US, how it's unfair to expect a garment to cost the same as a cup of coffee, and what designers are doing to educate their consumers about ethical manufacturing.

You will learn:

Why manufacturing and production are coming back to the states
The number one challenge US factories face
How doing small batch production and going direct to consumer can make you more money
Why US production costs are starting to compete against Chinese factories
How to educate your consumer about your product and why the cost is more than some retail
The downfalls of fast fashion and why customers are starting to shop differently
Why consumers have been trained that fashion should be cheap, and how to help them rethink their purchases

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD018: Advice for Entry Level Fashion Career Professionals

Sew Heidi — Mon, 11 Sep 2017 21:58:36 -0400

Dior Bediako founded Pepper Your Talk out of personal frustration. As a young designer beginning her career in fashion, she realized there was little to no support available for designers to work they way up from an entry level job. In her own words, PYT is that friend that will: (a) steal all the unanswered fashion questions from your head (b) ANSWER THEM with the help of our cheeky industry connections (c) Make you laugh (when you want to cry) throughout the process of navigating the career cross-roads. In our interview, she delivers on all of these things!

You will learn:

How to tailor your resume / CV towards fashion jobs even if you have no experience
How to write a cover letter / introduction that gets noticed
What you can do to be prepared for an interview, and how to decrease your anxiety
Why you must have an opinion, even if everyone doesn’t agree
How to add value to your team and get noticed in your company
Why you should always be thinking about what’s next in your career
Why it’s ok not to know everything
The number one question you should ask in every interview
How to follow up and get feedback when you don’t get the job
What to do when you resume goes into a black hole

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Happy Labor Day!

Sew Heidi — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 18:46:25 -0400

I took the day off today and hope you did too! We'll be back next week with another great episode.

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD017: Why You Shouldn't Design for Everyone with Anna of VMora

Sew Heidi — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Anna Livermore is founder of VMora, a fashion business and production consulting company that works one on one with independent designers. In this interview, she shares where many designers waste money that has little to no return, why you should look at your first round of production as a test, and why staying specific and niche with your idea is better than trying to please every body.

You will learn:

How much you need to budget for each design
Why timeline, costing and budgeting are essential for success
The number one (and number two) thing brands spend money on that have little to no ROI (and where to spend your $$ instead)
How to make sure your fit is perfect so it sells
Where most creative designers get stuck during development and production
The challenges of finding an investor for your fashion collection
How to build your audience before launching a product
Why having a specific niche audience will help you build lifelong customers
The value of staying true to your product and story and not trying to create something for everyone
The common mistake most designers make when choosing a market
How to budget your finances and time to increase success
Why being humble will get you further than having a big ego
How to make sure a factory is a good match for your product
Why you should look at your first round of production as a test

Guest Info & Resources:

VMora's Website
Email Anna: anna@vmora.com
The Romphim Kickstarter

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD 016: How to Get Freelance Fashion Design Jobs on Upwork

Sew Heidi — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 21:15:58 -0400

Kim Dippel is a fashion designer with 12 years of experience working for surf brands like Oneil and Quiksilver. After having a baby and moving away from a hub, she wanted to try freelancing. After not having any luck with her existing contacts, she turned to UpWork where she successfully landed a few ongoing clients that have kept her consistently busy. In the interview, Kim shares how to land your first few gigs, why honesty and transparency is essential to building relationships, and how to raise your rates with clients.

You will learn:

What you can do to land your first few jobs and build up your ratings
How to write a custom proposal and get the client’s attention
Red flags to look for when deciding whether to take a project or not
What to watch out for when bidding project based (flat fee) work
How to negotiate your rate without cutting yourself short
How to transition clients off UpWork
Strategies to track correspondence (phone, email) to make sure you get paid for your time
Why your website should be a cohesive representation of you as a brand
Why it’s ok to ask your client a lot of questions

Guest Info & Resources:

Kim's Portfolio Website

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD 015: How to Get Factories to Take You Seriously

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Kathleen Fasanella is author of one of the fashion industry’s best resource books, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen is a trained pattern maker with almost 4 decades of experience, and now owns a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this interview, she shares why speaking the right language can help factories and vendors take you seriously, how to make sure your production stays on track so you don’t get bumped out of line, and why designing isn’t always as glamorous as it can seem.

You will learn:

Less expensive and more effective alternatives to FIT or FIDM for technical design
Why you may be more technically inclined than you think (hint: if you can sew, you are)
The difference between a manufacturer and a sewing contractor
How speaking the right language will help suppliers take you seriously
Why you should only produce one style with a new factory
The realities of being a designer, and why it’s not as glamorous as you think
How to make sure your production stays on track and you don’y get bumped out of line for a bigger order

Guest Info & Resources:

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD014: The (Sometimes Ugly) Truth About A Fashion Design Career

Sew Heidi — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Having a job as fashion designer glamorous and creative. Honest, it isn’t always that way. Most people don’t talk about this publicly, but Emily Keller is different. Which is why I knew I had to invite her on the show. In this episode, Emily shares her experience working as an employee the perception of working as a designer versus the reality, how to figure out if pursuing fashion as a second career is right for you, and the often limited creativity you’ll actually use in your job.

You will learn:

The difference between what you think a fashion designer does and what they really do
How creative you really get to be as a designer
Pros and cons of working for big runway brands versus smaller lesser known brands
The perception of working in fashion versus the reality
Tips on pursuing fashion as a second career
How to understand what you’re really getting into when you go into fashion
Why fashion designers don’t dress well

Guest Info & Resources:

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD013: The Step by Step Production Process for Fashion Design Entrepreneurs

Sew Heidi — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:16:26 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Abbie Ellis, co-founder of Stitch Method - a Chicago fashion agency that helps you DEFINE your market, DEVELOP your product and DELIVER it to your customers. In the interview, she walks through a step by step overview of the production process, how to work backwards from costing and budgeting to design, and why a tech pack is essential for every product, no matter how simple or where you’re manufacturing.

You will learn:

- - How long it takes to go from idea to production (hint: it’s longer than you think!)
  - How much you should budget to get your design into production
  - How to know whether you should manufacture overseas or locally
  - A step by step walk through of the production process from start to finish
  - Why your factory is one of your most valuable resources
  - How to work backwards from costing and budgeting to design
  - The value of thinking bigger picture and creating long term goals

Guest Info & Resources:

- - Stitch Method

Production Checklist Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

- - Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
  - Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

- - Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD012: How to build a group of raving fans before you have a product

Sew Heidi — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Colleen Monroe, founder of Untucked Workwear - clothes designed for women who embrace a lifestyle filled with gumption and a whole lot of go. After a year and a half of hard, Colleen launched a successful Kickstarter to fund the first round of production of her three piece collection. In the interview, she talks about how to build an email list and an audience before you even have a product, why fit is one of the most important factors to your success, how to deal with the financial realities of launching a label, and the importance of engaging with your customer

You will learn:

How to build tons of raving fans for life before you even have a product
How to collaborate with non-fashion brands to grow your audience
Why it's better to take your time to make sure your product is done right
The financial challenges of launching a label and advice to overcome them
The non-glamorous parts of the fashion world
How to have a successful Kickstarter campaign

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD011: The Number One Thing to Include On Your Fashion Design Resume

Sew Heidi — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 11:58:04 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Sheena Schoolcraft, a fashion designer in NYC who’s worked with brands like OshKosh, Tommy Hilfiger and Dress Barn. During our conversation, Sheena shares how to present your online portfolio and why it should be different than your physical portfolio, why being easy to work with can be key to your success, what you can bring to an interview to impress the hiring manager, and the best strategies to make sure your resume stands out.

You will learn:

How to make your resume results driven - even if you don't have a lot of experience
The value of relationships and a positive attitude
Why happy hour and casual work engagements may be where you land your next gig
The one thing nobody brings to an interview but should
The importance of showing brands how you can benefit them
What employers really want in their employees

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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SFD010: Strategies to Manufacture Your Fashion Brand Overseas

Sew Heidi — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Shilpa, founder of Nayali, an activewear brand for women bra size "D-cup & Up". Shilpa spent over a decade working for huge brands like Conde Nast, Fubu, and Gap. She took all her experience, quit her job, and went to Bali to do a solo label. A year and a half later after some big mistakes and a lot of tears, she launched her brand, Nayali. This is her story, her lessons learned, and her advice to others starting a brand.

You will learn:

The importance of capturing your customer with a solution to their problem
How to tighten your assortment (and the dangers of offering too many skus)
The etiquette of working with factories in different countries
How to push your factories to get your product made the right way
Why it’s safe to stick with what you know at the beginning, and worry about growth later
The pros of getting really specific with your collection
The benefits of getting help from others and why you shouldn’t do this alone
How to convince a factory to take your order - even if it doesn’t meet their minimums
Why you have to speak up to not be taken advantage of
The parts of the process you should do locally, and what you can source overseas

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD009: How to Grow Sales & Maximize Profits for Your Fashion Brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Traceena & Lauren, founder of The Sales Concept, which helps designers maximize profits through merchandising and sales strategies. This is one of the most content packed episodes to date, and if you have - or want to start - a label, grab a pen and paper to take notes and listen carefully to everything these two experts have to say. Traceena and Lauren give step by step instructions of how to approach buyers at shops and trade shows, word for word scripts of what to say on phone calls or in emails, and the exact steps to follow from the time you find the shop to writing the order.

You will learn:

What merchandising is and why it’s crucial to your success
The simple “backwards” strategy of pricing your products
The number one merchandising mistake designers make
How to approach buyers in person, in email and by phone (and which is best)
The etiquette for following up with buyers (how much is too much!?)
The easiest way to build your prospect list
Why your prospect list is your secret weapon (and how big it should be)
How to know if a buyer is serious or not
The simple trick for approaching buyers at trade shows
Why custom line sheets are key to getting the order
How to follow up with buyers without sounding sales
The value of repping your line yourself
Why you have to get feedback during every buyer meeting
The number one question you have to ask during your first interaction with a buyer

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD008: How to Have A Successful Career as A Textile Designer

Sew Heidi — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:00:00 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Michelle Fifis, founder of Pattern Observer and creator of the Textile Design Lab, a blog and community that helps creatives grow their textile design business. Michelle’s done textile work for Columbia Sportswear, Lucy Activewear, Jantzen Swimwear, Perry Ellis and had been featured in Stylesight.com, Elle Decor, and Nordstrom. In the interview, she shares how she got started and worked her way up in the industry, her strategy for leaving her full time job to start freelancing, and how she grew her blog into a successful online business. Michelle and I also talked about how to choose and start working with an agency or print house, how to stay motivated when you feel deflated, and not only how to price your work, but how to gracefully raise your prices.

You will learn:

The role a textile designer plays in the fashion world
The pros and cons of working with an agent or print house
How to rediscover your creativity when you feel stuck
The importance of having patience with your career growth
How to stay up to date on trends if you don't have access to expensive services like WGSN
The importance of having a community and not working in a vacuum

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD007: Using Your Network to get more Freelance Fashion Work

Sew Heidi — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Gia's a fashion freelancer who’s worked with huge names like Northface and Columbia Sportswear as well as small startup brands. Her eye for technical design and product development plus her friendly personality and hard working attitude is why most of her freelance gigs have luckily fallen right into her lap. In this interview, Gia and I chat about why your network is the best resource for new work, why it’s ok to charge premium prices, and creative ways to break into the industry without going to fashion school and starting with no experience.

You will learn:

The importance of going above and beyond in all the work you do
Why it’s ok not to ask a lot of questions and not know everything
How to get started in the industry without any experience
The pros and cons of charging hourly vs by project and when to choose what
Why the people you already know are the best resource for future opportunities

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD006: Job Hunting & Resume Advice for Fashion Industry Professionals

Sew Heidi — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:16:12 -0400

You will learn:

What the first inch of your resume must include to catch the employer's attention
What parts of the industry are dying, and what parts are booming
Guidance for young job seekers and advice for breaking into the industry
Advice for older job seekers to stay up to date and relevant
The importance of taking risks
How fashion is competing with other "must have" items and why designers need to be aware of this
Why the fashion industry is in a rut and what designers need to do to break out of it

Guest Info & Resources:

Enjoy the show? You can help us out by:

Rating us on iTunes - it really helps!
Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you!

Looking for more resources?

Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD 005: How to Make a Career as a Fashion Illustrator with Danielle Meder

Sew Heidi — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode I’m chatting with Danielle Meder who’s had a 10 year career as a professional fashion illustrator. She’s done live runway sketching at fashion weeks worldwide has a book called Draw Fashion now. Danielle shares how she broke past her fears of approaching people at events, how improving her appearance increased her success, and how she estimates and prices her freelance work to make sure she doesn’t leave any money on the table.

YOU WILL LEARN:

Breaking out of your shell and getting past fears of approaching people you want to work with
How your appearance affects your success
The “sex and cash theory” for jobs and why you need a balance
How to estimate project fees and knowing when to pad your price
Playing the pricing game with clients to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table
What Danielle’s up to next now that she’s done knocking on fashion’s door

GUEST INFO AND RESOURCES:

ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD 004: Freelancing Strategies for Fashion Designers with Marissa Borelli

Sew Heidi — Mon, 29 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Marissa ditched her volleyball career during her junior year at UCLA to enroll in Parsons - without the support of her parents. She turned her love for sports and fashion into a successful career as an activewear designer which she's been doing for over 10 years, working with brands like Lululemon and Athleta. She also had her own line of scarves with distribution to over 60 retail outlets internationally, and she now freelances full time from the comfort of her home while being a twin mom to two boys. Marissa shares exactly how she pitches new clients, prices her projects to make a fair wage, and successfully does that scary networking thing to get more work.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to use your industry contacts to your advantage

What to do to make yourself easy to work with and get more jobs

How to get inside the customer’s head to make sure your designs are on target

How to price yourself (and estimate projects) as a freelancer to make sure you get paid a fair wage

How to use email to keep in touch with your clients and make sure they think of you first for projects

Approaching companies at trade shows and other networking events without being "salesy"

Why researching the brands you want to work with is key landing the job

GUEST INFO & RESOURCES

ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://bit.ly/SFD-review – it really helps! GET THE STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER http://sfdnetwork.com/download4/

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SFD 003: How to Ask for (and Get) a Promotion in Fashion with Brian McIntyre

Sew Heidi — Mon, 22 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Brian didn't even discover that he had an interest in fashion until high school, and then he dove head first in. Four years later armed with a degree, he avoided design jobs due to his lack of proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. He finally got an opportunity he couldn't pass up, so "lied" about his AI skills in the interview and landed the job. He "faked it till he made it" and frantically got up to speed in the software. Since then, he's used his skills, drive and determination to advance his fashion career and get promoted within his first year as a designer.

YOU WILL LEARN

How curiosity can drive you to success
Why you have to ask for what you want (or else you probably won't get it)
Why it's ok to not keep up with everything that's going on in the industry
How to approach your boss (or your boss' boss) to get the promotion you want
Why defending your designs and perspective is crucial
What it's like working for small vs. large brands

ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps!

LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Click here to join the last round of FAST!

SFD 002: Using Email to Successfully Pitch Freelance Clients with Melissa Mendez

Sew Heidi — Mon, 15 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

After Melissa experienced what she thought was a heart attack while working in the corporate fashion world for over 10 years, she knew she needed to make a big life change. For over two years, she's been working as a freelancer and running her own design agency. She uses her industry network and cold pitching in email to get new clients (including a $15,000 contract from one email!) and in this episode, Melissa shares it all.

YOU WILL LEARN

How to transition from corporate to freelance fashion design work How to use free resources to educate yourself and build your own business Strategies to get new clients using your current network Using email to pitch and land clients The 4 podcasts Melissa listens to that helped grow her business What you need to do before cold emailing any company or person to offer your services CLICK HERE FOR MELISSA'S PITCH TEMPLATE GUEST INFO & RESOURCES http://www.melissamendezdesignstudio.com/ http://www.womencraftingsuccess.com/ https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/ http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/ibmapodcast/ http://ask.garyvaynerchuk.com/ http://www.girlboss.com/podcast/ ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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SFD 001: How to Get Your First Job in the Fashion Industry with Bjorn Bengtsson

Sew Heidi — Mon, 08 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

If you want to break into the fashion industry, it seems logical that you’d need to go to fashion school. But what if that’s not for you? There are creative ways you can approach opportunities to get your foot in the door. Bjorn shares exactly how to get an interview, and what he’s looking for during that first meeting. These are things you can do on your own (without a fashion school degree) to secure your first opportunity.

YOU WILL LEARN:

The value of internships and building relationships What to include (and not include) in your portfolio Why Illustrator skills are mandatory – but what other skills you need to survive The skills learned in school vs what’s required in the real world How to better prepare yourself for a job while you’re in school How to create opportunities if you don’t have a fashion school degree Why a curious mind will take you far How to get in touch with Bjorn for guidance (thank you for this generous offer Bjorn!) GUEST INFO & RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjornbengtsson/ https://www.businessoffashion.com/ https://www.untuckit.com/ ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

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How to Get Funding and Launch A Successful Fashion Brand

Sew Heidi — Thu, 05 May 2016 09:08:21 -0400

Trying to make it as a new fashion brand is insanely cutthroat. The competition is fierce and there are hundreds of thousands of designers fighting to be the next big thing. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you're miles ahead of the competition. This is part 2 of a two-part interview with Rochelle Behrens who owns The-Shirt.com, a succesful startup fashion label. She shares her best advice and some of the strategies she used to get her brand off the ground...and fast. You will learn: * Why you may not want to get VC funding to launch your fashion label, but other places where you can easily get money * The single most important thing you must do before going into production so you don’t fail before you’ve even started * How to figure out how much product you should buy so you’re not stuck with tons of inventory you can’t sell * The simplest way to to get loads of amazing press coverage, even if you don’t have any connections * The number one thing you’re not doing that will easily get you swarms of paying customers and loyal fans who will tell the world about you * How to figure out if you should manufacture locally or offshore, even if you have no idea where to start * The easiest way to quickly get noticed as a new fashion label and stand out amongst the competition You can listen to part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/sew-heidi/rochelle-behrens-the-shirt-interview

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Why Solving A Problem Is Essential to Building A Successful Brand

Sew Heidi — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 18:27:51 -0400

Rochelle Behrens launched her label, The Shirt, almost seven years ago after she saw a gap(e) in the market for properly fitting and fashionable button down shirts. The problem she wanted to solve? It's called "the gape", and some of us know it all too well. After years of working in politics in Washington, DC, Rochelle became frustrated and felt unprofessional in the ill-fitting shirts available in the retail market. So, she ditched her career in politics to pursue a more fashionable one of her own. Not only did she launch a succesful label, she was able to patent the technology. And if you know anything about patents and copyrighting fashion, you know this is no easy task. I'm absolutely thrilled and honored introduce you to her. In part one of this two part interview, she generously shares her insights on breaking into this competitive industry, the challenges of selling online, and the keys to her success. In a competitive and brutal industry like fashion, you know that designers can be very tight lipped about their ways. In this candid interview, Rochelle tells all with specific tactics, strategies and actions she took (and that you can too!) to get her company off the ground and build it up to the successful brand that it is today. You will learn: - Steps you can take to transition from a career that has nothing to do with fashion to starting your brand - How one introduction can be all you need to get started - Why being inquisitive is the best way to learn - Strategies to sell bigger and what you can do to take your sales to the next level - Why differentiating yourself in the market is the key to success - How getting out of your comfort zone can be best way to make connections - Why it’s easier to succeed if you define a super specific niche for your brand - How to strategically navigate the “secretive” fashion industry and actually get answers to all your questions Music by buukwerm (Creative Commons) / Don't Stop

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Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

274: Fully Booked but Underpaid: Ingrid’s Path to Doubling Her Rates (Without Losing Clients)

273: This Simple Follow-Up Strategy Landed Her a $4K Client

272: The Cold Pitch That Landed JoAnne a $7800 Freelance Project

271: Balancing a Full-Time Job *and* Freelancing: How Mia Makes It Work

270: From Laid Off to Fully Booked: How Bre Replaced Her Salary in Under 2 Years

269: She Quit Her Job in Under a Year—and Now Makes More Freelancing in Fashion

268: Solo to Scaling: How This Booked Out Footwear Freelancer Is Building an Agency

267: From $14/hour to $65/hour as a Freelance Sample Maker (Even Though She Was Scared AF to Charge More)

266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year Transformation

265: The Proposal Strategy That Helped This Mom Close High-Ticket Clients (Part 2)

264: How Jade Strategically Prepared Her Freelance Business During Pregnancy (Part 1)

263: How Amanda Landed a $9K Freelance Fashion Project Without a Website

262: From Permalance to Premium: How Niching Down Landed Martha 5-Figure Freelance Projects

261: The Big Mistake She Made on a $10K Project (and How She’s Fixing It ) (Part 2)

260: How Jacqueline Landed Her First $10K+ Freelance Fashion Project (Part 1)

259: Why Max Said Yes to a “Cheap” Project—and Doesn’t Regret It

258: How This Mom Built a Freelance Business With a Toddler at Home

257: Why Afroditi Quit Upwork After Hitting $100K (Part 2)

256: From $15 to $100K: Afroditi’s Fashion Freelance Journey on Upwork (Part 1)

255: From Laid Off to $75/Hour: How This Textile Designer Booked Her First Client Without a Portfolio

254: How This Ex-Engineer Used a Super Specific Niche to Land $4K in Clients (With Zero Reviews)

253: Tabitha’s First $1K Month (and Why She’s Quitting Her Day Job to Go All In on Freelancing)

252: No Degree, No Experience: How this Freelancer from India Landed Her First Fashion Design Client at 4x the Rate

251: From $18/Day to $10K in Projects: Jolleen's Instagram Strategy for Freelance Success

250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days

Bonus: The $200K Reality Check: Why Starting a Fashion Brand Costs More Than You Think

249: Landing a $12K Client at MAGIC: The Trade Show Networking Strategy That Worked

248: The $3K Personalized Pitch: How Heidi Closed a Big Client in 6 Weeks

247: Attracting Premium Clients on Upwork: How Carolyn Landed A $2700 Project (without pitching)

246: The Pricing Strategy That Doubled Amy’s Freelance Income (without doubling her workload)

245: The Art of Soft Selling: How Gabriella 4x'd Her Rate Without Pitching

My Top 10 Biz Challengs in 2024 (plus show updates for 2025)

244: Sourcing Secrets: How to Find the Perfect Factory and Avoid Expensive Mistakes

243: $0 to $6500: How this Design Director Landed Big Clients in Her First Month Freelancing

242: I Paid $10 for a Tech Pack—and You Won't Believe What Happened

241: Should You Have Set Package Rates as A Freelance Fashion Designer?

240: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Landed a $15k Project on LinkedIn

239: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 2

238: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 1

237: How Her 'Viral' LinkedIn Post Turned Into An Amazing Freelance Client

236: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Broke Into A Brand New Category (after corporate burnout)

235: What If A Brand Says You're Too Expensive? Here's How You Still Get the Client

234: How She Started A Fashion Design Agency (in 2 years)

233: Are You A Freelancer Or An Entrepreneur? Why Your Mindset Matters More Than You Think

232: Why This Freelance Fashion Designer Is Turning Down $120k+ Job Offers

231: How to Get Work from Old Coworkers (without being annoying)

230: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 2)

229: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 1)

228: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Built A MILLION Dollar Design Agency

227: How to Get Freelance Clients from A Factory

226: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Landed 140 Style Project on UpWork

225: How to Make More Money As A Freelance Fashion Designer

224: Panic Attacks & Imposter Syndrome: How this Freelance Fashion Designer is Coping

223: How this Freelance Patternmaker Quickly Landed 3 New Clients

222: Q&A What to Do When Projects Take More Time Than You Bid

221: Why This Fashion Designer Said Buh-Bye to Corporate and Went All In on Freelancing

220: How this Mom Built Her Freelance Fashion Design Business (through major rejection and shame)

219: Do You Need an LLC to Be A Freelance Fashion Designer?

218: Is A Factory Legit? Vetting Tips for Freelance Fashion Designers

217: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Doubled Her Rates

216: What 3D Fashion Design Software Is the Best? With Sylwia Szymczyk

215: What Is A Freelance Fashion Consultant?

214: How CLO3D "Saved" This Fashion Designer

213: How This Freelancer Built a Fashion Merchandising Agency

212: How She 3x'd Her Freelance Income with LinkedIn

211: The Best Freelance Sites for Fashion Designers

210: Q&A What to Do When a Client Asks for More Revisions

209: From £4k to £12k A Month: How this Freelance Footwear Trend Consultant Did it!

208: The REAL Truth About Being a Freelance Fashion Designer

207: 3 Ways to Calculate Your Freelance Rates for Fashion Designers

206: How Do You Offer Sourcing As A Fashion Freelancer?

205: How to Become a Fashion Virtual Assistant (VA)

204: How This Freelance Fashion Designer from India Landed a Gig with WGSN

203: How to Make Consistent Income as a Freelance Fashion Designer

202: How to Build Your Freelance Career on LinkedIn While Learning CLO 3D

201: You DON'T Need Another Time Management Tool: The REAL Reason You're Procrastinating

200: How This Freelance Fashion Designer & Mom From Brazil Learned English & Built Her Business in the Cracks of the Day

199: Pros & Cons of Freelancing in Fashion: Is it Worth It?

198 | Q&A: I'm Scared of Rejection

271: Balancing a Full-Time Job and Freelancing: How Mia Makes It Work