Successful Fashion Designer started back in 2010 with a few YouTube videos.
Since then, a lot has unfolded.
Over the years, I’ve created hundreds of videos, tutorials and more on Illustrator for fashion, tech packs, and portfolios.
Whether you were looking for your dream job, starting your own clothing line, or becoming a freelancer, you could (and still can) get help on my website.
I had done all three of these things in my career, so I figured I should help you do all of them too.
Fast forward to 2021, and I was burnt out.
Keeping up with three different “categories” of content was too much.
So just like I tell you to do — whether you’re looking for a job, starting a brand, or finding freelance clients — I decided to niche down.
Freelancing in fashion is what lights me up.
It’s where I found freedom in my day, so I wasn’t tied to a desk.
It’s where I got to work on projects I loved instead of mass-produced collections.
It’s where I made a fair wage, unlike when I lost all my money on my own clothing line.
So, while you’ll still find a lot of older content here about all things fashion, my current and sole focus is helping you become a Successful Fashion Freelancer.
Because it’s not quite as easy as it seems…
Here’s the truth about freelancing in fashion:
You can’t just upgrade your portfolio, brand yourself, and *poof* magically have a bunch of amazing clients you love.
You have to actually standout…which is hard, because the industry is saturated with fashion designers.
You can’t just upgrade your portfolio, brand yourself, and *poof* magically have a bunch of amazing clients you love.
You have to actually standout…which is hard, because the industry is saturated with fashion designers.
And we, as fashion designers (or textile designers, PD, TD, etc), have busy lives.
So we have less time to pursue the work we love…the work we’re passionate about.
THE WORK WE WENT INTO FASHION DREAMING ABOUT DOING.
Some people spend yearrrrrs in the toxic mass-produced rat race because they’re scared they’re not skilled enough and fear being embarrassed. (Or they think most brands won’t accept freelancer. #nottrue)
Some people think they’re freelancers but are really stuck in the “permalance” temp job slog working 40hrs a week onsite for one brand. (That’s not freelancing. It’s just downright abusive.)
And some people give a shot at Fiverr and UpWork. They apply to hundreds of gigs but never hear back, or “luckily” land a project for a cheap client who literally wants a tech pack for $5. #nothanks
So how do you actually become a fashion freelancer and earn a steady income?
You work with well-paying clients who know the value of your services.
Hi, I’m Heidi
After running a brand I grew to hate and working 60+ hours a week in a toxic fashion job, I almost burnt out of fashion. But then I found freelancing. I reached $100k+ and was living my dream, working when I wanted, traveling, and never worried about paying the bills.
I worked for myself, earned a steady income, and loved my clients. #winwinwin
Now I spend my time nerding out on freelancing strategies to help others do the same. In my spare time, you can find me hiking, practicing hot yoga, and spending time with my husband Marc, toddler Errol, and our 2 terriers.
Over the years, I’ve taught 1000s of fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers, and more) how to build successful businesses as freelancers.
A FEW STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
Alison wanted to work on a variety of projects and have more freedom in her day.
Alison started freelancing with just a few years of industry experience from St Louis, Missouri. She started doing general technical design work, but kept niching down. She found that the more she specialized, the more work she got. Now she exclusively does patternmaking for women’s slow fashion brands. She’s booked 2-3 months in advance (even though she has continually raised her prices) and only works with clients she’s passionate about.
Hear more about Alison’s story on this episode of the Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast.
Kate Knight left fashion after burnout, but wanted to get back into the industry she loved.
Kate left the fashion industry for an entire decade after getting burnt out. She wanted to start a family and didn’t feel the lack of work-life balance made that feasible. So after 10+ years, after having a daughter, and after doing *nothing* fashion related, she broke back into the industry she loved. Today, Kate works with cashmere sweater brands around the world, helping them design and develop their collections.
Hear more about Kate’s story on this episode of the Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast.
Sofia Luzón wasn’t making any money with her own brand and was sick of all the admin work.
Sofia didn’t go to fashion school and never worked in the industry, but she had experience from building her own lingerie brand. The problem was that she wasn’t making any money, and wasn’t doing work she loved – design and pattern drafting. All her time was spent on admin tasks like marketing and customer service. After 5 years, she was barely paying herself minimum wage. So, she decided to start freelancing. Within a few months, she was earning a comfortable full-time salary.
Hear more about Sofia’s story on this episode of the Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast.
Connie Bourgeois didn’t think there was enough work out there…and then made a million dollars. Literally.
Connie got her first freelance client right when the pandemic hit in 2020. She thought she got “lucky” and didn’t believe there was enough work out there to quit her full-time fashion design job. Fast forward to 2022, she was running an entire fashion design agency with 6 employees. That year, they did over a million in revenue. $1,053,000 to be exact. Let’s just say there is MORE than enough work out there.
Hear more about Connie’s story on this episode of the Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast.
Arya Mishra had no fashion experience, but at the age of 20 was eager to break into the industry.
Arya wanted to work in fashion really badly, but living in a small remote town in India she didn’t have the resources to go to school or get a job in the industry. Using skills she learned from my free tech pack and Adobe Illustrator tutorials, she learned the basics to start freelancing. Within 6 weeks, she landed her first 5 clients for fashion flats. Now, she’s working on multiple projects for $1,000+ and just landed her biggest contract for $3,000.
Hear more about Arya’s story on this episode of the Fashion Designers Get Paid podcast.
YOUR STORY COULD BE FEATURED HERE, TOO
Freelancing doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t come easy.
Just like anything in life or fashion. Like starting your own clothing line or working your way up to a dream job.
But like all good things, the rewards are worth the effort, 1000000x.
Freedom in your day. Projects you love. Control.
It’s not for everyone. But if you think it might be right for you, get started with my free Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelance Fashion Designer. It’s totally free, and will give you the tools you need to find your first or next client.
You got this, me and my team are rooting for you!
P.S. If you want to get in touch, here’s how to contact my team.
