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

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

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 N...

SFF170: From Factory Worker to Successful Freelance Patternmaker

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 intere...

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

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 tha...

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

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Fr...

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

26 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 getti...

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

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, a freelance lingerie fashion designer...

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

29 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 l...

SFF164: Breaking Back Into Fashion After Burnout

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SFF163: Why Undercharging Is Killing Your Freelance Career

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

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

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone has to start somewhere in the fashion world. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, you’ll get to know Kayla Marshal...

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

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

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

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Surface pattern design is a broad category that includes textile design and print and pattern design for all sorts of applications, from dishware to p...

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

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 freelanc...

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

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

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

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ra...

SFF156: How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 dauntin...

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

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On the surface, it sounds like Krystal has it all—a thriving freelance fashion design biz, FIFTEEN solid clients, and a connection that regularly se...

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

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“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 man...

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

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the MOST common reasons aspiring fashion freelancers put off building their freelance career is not having enough time. There’s this myth tha...

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

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

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

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 sudd...

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)

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

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

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Hoe...

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

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

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

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 gu...

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

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 freela...

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

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

"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 b...

SFF142: How to figure out your services as a fashion freelancer

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ne...

SFF141: Why I Hired This Freelancer (and then hired her again, and again, and again!)

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered what your clients & potential clients are thinking? What makes them decide to hire a freelancer from a cold pitch? What are they thi...

SFF140: Fashion Freelancer Puberty

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SFF139 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: CLO3d as a service? Project pricing? And what about portfolios?

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 chal...

SFF138 How She Did It: A Fashion Freelancer with No Industry Experience

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“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, ...

SFF137 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: I feel like I'm losing my skills and confidence...

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFF136 Creating Stability and Fulfillment as a Fashion Freelancer

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 stab...

SFF135 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What should my services be? (The skills I have or what I LOVE?)

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SFF134 How to Be a Remote Freelance Patternmaker

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

SFF133 The Fashion Freelancer Who Never Wanted to Be a Freelancer

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 wa...

SFF132 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: Pricing and retainers, WTF to do!?

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SFF131 How this fashion freelancer is charging $85/hr (during the pandemic!)

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 wa...

SFF130 Fashion Freelancer Q&A: What if brands think I'm an idiot?

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, tec...

SFF129 How this designer freelanced while starting her fashion brand

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFD128 Saying Goodbye to the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

SFD127 How this 22 year old designer got featured by Vogue

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is my second interview with Noémie Jouas, a young designer who started creating bespoke dresses from her college housing in small-town Scotland...

SFD126 How to Find Freelance Fashion Design Clients

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, and charging a retainer for consistent income! Sophia is a full-time fashion freela...

SFD125 How to Start a Luxury Sleepwear Brand

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Canadian designer Alexandra Suhner Isenberg studied fashion in Toronto, London, and Paris. She’s worked for brands including Burberry, freelanced, a...

SFD124 How this Pattern Drafter Grew Her Freelance Business with Generosity

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Karen LePage is a freelance patternmaker and grader who specializes in size inclusivity and sustainability. She’s also a fit consultant, a sewing an...

SFD123 How This Power Lifter Launched a Muscular Men's Clothing Line

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFD122 Working as a Freelance Pattern Maker (+ Tips on Starting Your Own Brand)

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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, sup...

SFD121 How to be a fashion freelancer (if you don't know anyone in the industry)

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 industr...

Episodes you love: How to Become a Fashion Freelancer with Heidi & Marissa

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 fo...

Episodes you love: This 76 Year Old Worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. Here's her story.

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFD120 How this accountant launched a handbag brand (with no experience or money)

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episodes you love: This Dirndl Designer Grew a BIG Fashion Brand with a TINY Niche

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Rar...

SFD119 How to advance your fashion design career (from assistant to director)

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 year...

SFD118 How to build a sustainable clothing line (in Latin America)

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

SFD117 How to quit your full time fashion job and start freelancing

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

*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 yo...

SFD116 How to start your fashion brand on Etsy (and then build an empire)

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 inco...

SFD115 How to Start a Clothing Line with (practically!) No Money

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about starting your own clothing line, you probably imagine garments you designed completely from scratch gracing a magazine page or fl...

SFD114 How to Predict Textile Design Trends and Colors

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding trends and the direction the market is going to go is vital for anyone working in fashion. Print and textile designers need to understan...

SFD113 How to fund your fashion brand with a freelancing career

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

SFD112 How to launch a shoe brand without any fashion experience

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 polit...

SFD111 How to get a fashion design internship right after high school

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Scot...

SFD110 How to break into fashion design without going to fashion school

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Selena Leong has worked her way up from production associate, to product development, to technical design, to apparel design. Along the way she’s wo...

SFD109 How to Get Your Designs into Production with The Chicago Patternmaker

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 design...

SFD108 How to Become a Senior Fashion Designer by Age 27

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the influx of major current events took over our collective awareness. While we know how se...

SFD107 What to include in a freelance fashion designer contract

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 fr...

SFD106 How This Designer Launched a Bespoke Dress Brand (while in college)

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 bus...

SFD105 How to Predict Fashion Trends (and work as a trend forecaster)

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 indust...

SFD104 What Is a Fashion Tech Pack (and do you really need one)?

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 up...

SFD103 How to Make More Money as a Fashion Freelancer (than in a full-time job)

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Freelance pattern maker and product development specialist Alison Hoenes left her full-time job after just 3½ years in the industry to pursue a freel...

SFD102 How to Copyright Your Fashion Designs and Protect Your Brand

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

SFD101 How to Build a Sustainable Direct to Consumer Fashion Brand

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

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

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

SFD099 Why this Startup Fashion Brand Makes Clothes for Short Men Only

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 in...

SFD098 How to Get a Better Job in Fashion

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 sha...

SFD097 How to Become a Remote Fashion Freelancer

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 freelance...

Bonus: Freelancing Advice for the Fashion Industry

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

SFD096 Q&A: How to Become a Fashion freelancer with Heidi & Marissa

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bonus Episode: My Infertility Journey

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

(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!)   ...

SFD095 How to Get Your First Fashion Design Job After College

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

SFD094 This Dirndl Designer Grew a BIG Fashion Brand with a TINY Niche

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFD093 How to Land Your Dream Job in the Outdoor Apparel Industry

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

SFD092 Should You Sell Your Fashion Brand on Consignment?

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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, sh...

SFD091 100 Ways NOT to Start A Fashion Brand: These Guys Learned Firsthand What Works and What Doesn't

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Starting a fashion brand from scratch is a massive challenge. And when you don’t have big investors and influential connections, it can seem impossi...

SFD090 How to Stand Out in Your Fashion Career (and Always Get the Job Offer)

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 fashi...

Episodes You Love: SFD006 Job Hunting & Resume Advice for Fashion Industry Professionals

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

Episodes You Love: SFD075 How to Be a Lingerie Designer

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired November 26, 2018, was nominated as one listeners loved! Being a lingeri...

Episodes You Love: SFD078 Working with Factories as a Freelance Fashion Designer

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episodes You Love: SFD053 4 Best Practices for Fashion Job Search Success

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Episodes You Love: SFD008 Freelance Textile Designer: How to have a Successful Career

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episodes You Love: SFD025 Make the Most of a Fashion Sourcing Tradeshow

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's a summer of your favorite episodes! This episode, which originally aired October 30, 2017, was nominated as one listeners loved.  Attending a tr...

SFD089 How This Fashion Designer Balances Career and Being a Mom to 4 Kids!

27 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Working in the fashion industry can be brutal. The long days, late nights, and cutthroat competition can make balancing a fashion career and motherhoo...

SFD088 How to Build Your Fashion Business with Festival Vending

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kimberly Ponniah didn’t take the typical route into the fashion world. Yet through grit and perseverance, she went from knowing almost nothing about...

SFD087 How to Become a Fashion Merchandiser and Product Manager 👗

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 wor...

SFD086 This 76 Year Old Worked in the NYC Fashion Industry since the 60's. Here's her story.

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 lik...

SFD085 How this Mom Got a Tech Design Job After a 12 Year Career Break

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

SFD084 How to Become an Event Planner for New York Fashion Week

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 “...

SFD083 How This Designer Built a Vegan Luxury Shoe Brand

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 year...