229 episodes

This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers and beyond) who want more flexibility while still doing work they love. As a freelance fashion designer, you can build your fashion career on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk). Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want. Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)

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

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 296 Ratings

This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers and beyond) who want more flexibility while still doing work they love. As a freelance fashion designer, you can build your fashion career on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk). Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want. Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)

    The Best Freelance Sites for Fashion Designers

    The Best Freelance Sites for Fashion Designers

    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/

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

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

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

    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.comFollow in Instagram Connect on Linkedin

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

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

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

    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/

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

    • 49 min
    208: The REAL Truth About Being a Freelance Fashion Designer

    208: The REAL Truth About Being a Freelance Fashion Designer

    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 & Marissa197 How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

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

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

    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.  

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

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

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

    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

    Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
296 Ratings

296 Ratings

Neon Fleur ,

Grateful for Heidi and Her Guests

If you’re in the freelancing in fashion space, this place is for you! So much valuable information to gain here. Even though I’ve skipped around and haven’t listened to all of the episodes, it’s helped immensely in navigating how to start and what to do next. I loved episodes 107, 177, and 192 in particular as they talk about how to set up your freelance contracts, expanding your network and niching down. I highly recommend giving this a listen.

SPKMICH120 ,

Host Overtalks...let the guest speak without interruption

Very valuable information and great guest, however the hosts frequently talks over and seems to rush the guest through by taling over them and incessant "uh, huhs and mmm's". Just wish she would let them speak and come in when they've finished the thought. It's diistracting to the listener and I'm sure distracting to the guest.

Black Unicorn Merch ,

Changed my life

This show literally changed my life because it showed me not just that I COULD work for myself but gave me steps on HOW to do it with **real, live, bonified proven techniques from fashion freelance rockstars.**

I had been working in the industry for over a decade at the time I found the show. I found the show by pure happenstance (looking for a fashion related podcast as a way of getting through another grueling day-in-the-life of a corporate designer LOLOL). I binged every episode and for the first time realized that the dissatisfaction I had in the industry was a shared burden.

My freelance journey has not been 100% easy 100% of the time but it has been rewarding and full of more wins than losses. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to take the plunge if it weren’t for Successful Fashion Freelancer. I 👏🏽 JUST 👏🏽 LOVE 👏🏽 THIS 👏🏽 SHOW!!!

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