235 episodes
Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms Sew Heidi
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4.9 • 296 Ratings
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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.)
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217: How This Freelance Fashion Designer Doubled Her Rates
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.
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
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. -
216: What 3D Fashion Design Software Is the Best? With Sylwia Szymczyk
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/
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. -
215: What Is A Freelance Fashion Consultant?
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.
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. -
214: How CLO3D "Saved" This Fashion Designer
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
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. -
213: How This Freelancer Built a Fashion Merchandising Agency
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
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. -
212: How She 3x'd Her Freelance Income with LinkedIn
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.caEmail at: emilycourt@live.comConnect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-court-422b2ba4/
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.
Customer Reviews
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.
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.
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!!!