Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms
Episodes
269: She Quit Her Job in Under a Year—and Now Makes More Freelancing in Fashion
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
268: Solo to Scaling: How This Booked Out Footwear Freelancer Is Building an Agency
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 fo...
267: From $14/hour to $65/hour as a Freelance Sample Maker (Even Though She Was Scared AF to Charge More)
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
266: From Self-Doubt and a Factory Job to Freelance Biz Owner: Caroline’s One-Year Transformation
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 work...
265: The Proposal Strategy That Helped This Mom Close High-Ticket Clients (Part 2)
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 chasi...
264: How Jade Strategically Prepared Her Freelance Business During Pregnancy (Part 1)
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
263: How Amanda Landed a $9K Freelance Fashion Project Without a Website
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
262: From Permalance to Premium: How Niching Down Landed Martha 5-Figure Freelance Projects
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 in...
261: The Big Mistake She Made on a $10K Project (and How She’s Fixing It ) (Part 2)
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
260: How Jacqueline Landed Her First $10K+ Freelance Fashion Project (Part 1)
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
259: Why Max Said Yes to a “Cheap” Project—and Doesn’t Regret It
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Gue...
258: How This Mom Built a Freelance Business With a Toddler at Home
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could build a thriving freelance fashion business… while raising a toddler at home? That’s exactly what Philippa Cooper—aka Pip—ha...
257: Why Afroditi Quit Upwork After Hitting $100K (Part 2)
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
256: From $15 to $100K: Afroditi’s Fashion Freelance Journey on Upwork (Part 1)
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
255: From Laid Off to $75/Hour: How This Textile Designer Booked Her First Client Without a Portfolio
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pi...
254: How This Ex-Engineer Used a Super Specific Niche to Land $4K in Clients (With Zero Reviews)
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Zero Reviews to $4K Clients: How Danielle Steman Broke Into Freelance Fashion With Just 8 PitchesEver wondered how to stand out on Upwork without...
253: Tabitha’s First $1K Month (and Why She’s Quitting Her Day Job to Go All In on Freelancing)
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No degree, no industry connections, no Illustrator skills—and still crushing it as a fashion freelancer! Tabitha Calvin proves you don’t need the ...
252: No Degree, No Experience: How this Freelancer from India Landed Her First Fashion Design Client at 4x the Rate
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
251: From $18/Day to $10K in Projects: Jolleen's Instagram Strategy for Freelance Success
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the powerful mindset shift that took Jolleen from underpaid to unstoppable in fashion freelancing!Tired of feeling stuck, underpaid, or invisibl...
250: The $6K Freelancer: How She Replaced Her Salary in 30 Days
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how Candice Stokes went from undervalued to unstoppable in freelance fashion design!Ever felt stuck in a job where your skills weren’t full...
Bonus: The $200K Reality Check: Why Starting a Fashion Brand Costs More Than You Think
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 bre...
249: Landing a $12K Client at MAGIC: The Trade Show Networking Strategy That Worked
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Nervous to Thriving: Discover how Alina Sanchez-Lopez transformed trade show nerves into a $12,000 freelance triumph!Ever walked into a trade sho...
248: The $3K Personalized Pitch: How Heidi Closed a Big Client in 6 Weeks
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how some freelance fashion designers land dream clients with just a simple email? In this episode, Heidi Herrman breaks down her secret ...
247: Attracting Premium Clients on Upwork: How Carolyn Landed A $2700 Project (without pitching)
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
246: The Pricing Strategy That Doubled Amy’s Freelance Income (without doubling her workload)
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re undercharging for your freelance services? Amy Barnhart shares how a smart pricing shift and one game-changing service helped ...
245: The Art of Soft Selling: How Gabriella 4x'd Her Rate Without Pitching
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how Gabriella Bilotta transformed a heartfelt LinkedIn message into a six-figure client! In this episode, Gabriella shares her journey of bu...
My Top 10 Biz Challengs in 2024 (plus show updates for 2025)
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Fas...
244: Sourcing Secrets: How to Find the Perfect Factory and Avoid Expensive Mistakes
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
243: $0 to $6500: How this Design Director Landed Big Clients in Her First Month Freelancing
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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....
242: I Paid $10 for a Tech Pack—and You Won't Believe What Happened
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 diffe...
241: Should You Have Set Package Rates as A Freelance Fashion Designer?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 an...
240: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Landed a $15k Project on LinkedIn
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
239: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 2
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
238: Why Hourly Pricing Is A Race to the Bottom (And How to Make More Money) with Jonathan Stark: Part 1
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
237: How Her 'Viral' LinkedIn Post Turned Into An Amazing Freelance Client
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can a LinkedIn post really transform your freelance fashion design career?In today's episode, I talk with fashion designer Fernanda Martinelli about h...
236: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Broke Into A Brand New Category (after corporate burnout)
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 free...
235: What If A Brand Says You're Too Expensive? Here's How You Still Get the Client
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Turb...
234: How She Started A Fashion Design Agency (in 2 years)
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
233: Are You A Freelancer Or An Entrepreneur? Why Your Mindset Matters More Than You Think
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 entrep...
232: Why This Freelance Fashion Designer Is Turning Down $120k+ Job Offers
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about turning freelancing into a stable career? It's possible with the help of these secrets on pricing, Upwork strategies, and LinkedIn hacks...
231: How to Get Work from Old Coworkers (without being annoying)
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
230: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 2)
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
229: Special Episode: Heidi Gets Interviewed (part 1)
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ab...
228: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Built A MILLION Dollar Design Agency
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
227: How to Get Freelance Clients from A Factory
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Building relationships even when you don't need that connection immediately is super important for your freelance career. There are easy strategies ...
226: How this Freelance Fashion Designer Landed 140 Style Project on UpWork
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the right foundation and strategies, you can find massive projects on Upwork!No, really. Upwork may have its cons (just like any freelancing pl...
225: How to Make More Money As A Freelance Fashion Designer
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
224: Panic Attacks & Imposter Syndrome: How this Freelance Fashion Designer is Coping
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 webin...
223: How this Freelance Patternmaker Quickly Landed 3 New Clients
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
222: Q&A What to Do When Projects Take More Time Than You Bid
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is scope creep devouring your profits and your freelance pricing sabotaging your success?Even seasoned freelance fashion designers can struggle with p...
221: Why This Fashion Designer Said Buh-Bye to Corporate and Went All In on Freelancing
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 q...
220: How this Mom Built Her Freelance Fashion Design Business (through major rejection and shame)
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
219: Do You Need an LLC to Be A Freelance Fashion Designer?
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 person...
218: Is A Factory Legit? Vetting Tips for Freelance Fashion Designers
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 cli...
217: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Doubled Her Rates
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get the eviction notice ready for the imposter syndrome that's moved in! Imposter syndrome is something so many freelance fashion designers struggle...
216: What 3D Fashion Design Software Is the Best? With Sylwia Szymczyk
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered why some fashion brands are slow to adopt 3D software? My guest, Sylwia breaks it down, sharing real-world challenges and successes, lik...
215: What Is A Freelance Fashion Consultant?
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
214: How CLO3D "Saved" This Fashion Designer
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 onl...
213: How This Freelancer Built a Fashion Merchandising Agency
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
212: How She 3x'd Her Freelance Income with LinkedIn
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Need More Clients? Learn how to use LinkedIn to create endless opportunities and grow your freelance fashion design business!We're not just talking th...
211: The Best Freelance Sites for Fashion Designers
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
210: Q&A What to Do When a Client Asks for More Revisions
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
209: From £4k to £12k A Month: How this Freelance Footwear Trend Consultant Did it!
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
208: The REAL Truth About Being a Freelance Fashion Designer
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
207: 3 Ways to Calculate Your Freelance Rates for Fashion Designers
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 desig...
206: How Do You Offer Sourcing As A Fashion Freelancer?
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
205: How to Become a Fashion Virtual Assistant (VA)
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 (...
204: How This Freelance Fashion Designer from India Landed a Gig with WGSN
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers learn on their freelancin...
203: How to Make Consistent Income as a Freelance Fashion Designer
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 yo...
202: How to Build Your Freelance Career on LinkedIn While Learning CLO 3D
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 fro...
201: You DON'T Need Another Time Management Tool: The REAL Reason You're Procrastinating
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
200: How This Freelance Fashion Designer & Mom From Brazil Learned English & Built Her Business in the Cracks of the Day
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
199: Pros & Cons of Freelancing in Fashion: Is it Worth It?
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
198 | Q&A: I'm Scared of Rejection
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
197: How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
196: How This Freelancer Does Sourcing & Product Development for Factories (and is making bank)
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
195: Fashion Sourcing Trade Show Tips for Freelancers (Andreu David, VP of Sourcing at Magic)
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
194: Q&A - How Should A Freelance Patternmaker Set Up An UpWork Profile?
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ex...
193: How to Be a Freelance Fashion Stylist (for TV and personal styling)
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 style...
192: How This Freelance Technical Designer Landed Her First Client In One Month
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 exact...
191: Adjust these 5 things on your fashion resume to look "younger" (and avoid ageism)
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
190 - Q&A: Are You Ready to Quit Your Full-Time Job And Go All In As A Freelance Fashion Designer?
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
189: How to make your freelance clients happy just by "being available"
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
188: From Military Pilot to Freelance Fashion Designer. WHAAAT?!
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A military pilot turned fashion designer?! Yep! And this awe-inspiring journey shows the possibilities of redefining your career path.Trudy Gardner's ...
187 Should you leave the fashion industry? Before you quit, consider this...
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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'l...
186 | Q&A: Do freelance fashion designers need to be on Instagram? The answer will surprise you.
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Break free from the endless tweaking of social media and portfolio and start landing paid projects. Discover how to prioritize your efforts, create ...
185: How to Build A Fashion Design Agency & Launch Your Fashion Brand On The Side
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know the ups and downs of building a fashion agency, navigating freelance work in fashion, and the incredible journey of transforming an inexp...
184: How This Freelance Textile Designer Is Charging $75/hr
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
183 What's more profitable: starting a clothing line or being a freelance fashion designer?
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 you...
182| Q&A: How Do Freelance Technical Designers Review Protos Remotely?
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how freelance technical designers review garment samples remotely? Look no further! In this episode, we join Heidi and guest Sarah Wattl...
181 The Secret to Get New Clients on Autopilot for Your Freelance Fashion Design Business
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to unlock your potential as a fashion design freelancer with expert tips on getting clients on autopilot, offering valuable solutions, and b...
180: How This Pattern Cutter Freelanced for Alexander McQueen (While Still in Fashion School)
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 list...
179: Illegal "freelance" fashion design jobs...
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Before accepting your next fashion design "freelance" gig, make sure it's not illegal. I'm exposing the exploitative nature of these so-called "free...
178: Q&A: Hey Fashion Designer, Are You Stuck in Your Comfort Zone?
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
177: How this Fashion Designer Used LinkedIn to Land High-Paying Projects
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Uncover this fashion designer's secrets to attracting clients and growing a successful agency, while also shedding light on the challenges and frustra...
176: From "trapped" in NYC to in control of her own destiny: how this freelance fashion designer did it
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of "Fashion Designers Get Paid"! Today we have a fantastic guest joining us - the talented Mari Medina, a freelance k...
175: We’re BACK with some BIG (and exciting!) changes!
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
SFF174: Podcast Updates (and free LIVE training!)
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
SFF173: Fashion Freelancer Q&A: How to Ask for Referrals to Get Consistent Income
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
SFF172: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Landed a $10k Project on Upwork
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 episo...