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

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 works in product development--she knew right from the beginning that design wasn’t quite the right path for her, so she did a lot of self-exploration throughout school and found the right path for her through trial and error. Besides Shelby taking a “non-traditional path” through the design world, and going into something other than design, I want you guys to pay attention to the exact thing that Shelby did to progress her career. She worked her way up--spent a lot of time working for The North Face in California, and now works for VF Corp. Shelby’s career trajectory did not come by accident! She started out in some pretty crummy administrative roles that she hated, but she worked her butt off, got noticed, built friendships and relationships and that’s exactly how she grew her career. We talk about how she was mindful about creating these relationships in the workplace, and how she was always very intentional about showing that she was willing to put in the work and go the extra mile to stand out, even if it was a project that wasn’t that exciting. She’s experienced such amazing growth in her career--so pay attention to her advice because I know it can help so many of you go so far in your careers as well! In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: How Shelby got her start in the fashion industry The difference between the production / merchandise part of the business, and the design / development part of the business How Shelby knew she wanted to get into merchandising (it all started with a 2007 Burton catalogue!) Shelby’s first opportunity after college How she proactively prepared for interviews How Shelby navigated the “networking” world by authentically and genuinely maintaining relationships What Shelby did in her Product Line Coordinator job The one thing Shelby wishes people would ask her about working in the fashion industry SMALL TOWN DREAMS Shelby grew upon a farm in a small town in Colorado. She always loved looking at magazines and seeing how different things were from her day to day “real world.” Like a lot of us, she really enjoyed expressing herself through apparel--she loved the way she could almost change her mood and how she felt; how she represented herself to the world. So the logical next step after high school? Start in a design program in college (because it’s so hard to know which career path to follow in the fashion industry when you’re brand new!). But it didn’t feel quite right. She was doing well, but she didn’t feel grounded in the creative space. As a math lover, she wanted more balance and logic thrown into the mix. She kept thinking back to her magazine-flipping days, and specifically remembered a 2007 Burton catalogue--and how disruptive it was. There were badass women in white snowboard gear sitting in mud, completely filthy after snowboarding all day. She remembered how the image had struck her, and knew she wanted to be the person making those decisions. So she checked out merchandising, and got a little closer to her dream. BREAKING IN AFTER COLLEGE (ALWAYS DIFFICULT, RIGHT?) Shelby’s last semester at college was a 12-credit internship. School helped her land the gig (a little), but she had to work her butt of to get it. She applied to around 50 internships, and two people called her back...but that’s just how it goes! She googled interview questions and made her dad run through the answers with her (anyone else done this? Such a good idea!), and landed an internship in the marketing department. Sure--it wasn’t the product creation team like she wanted, but she was open to her options. Shelby dug in, learned what she could, and navigated forward from there. After she graduated, she got a job at the same company she had interned at, but it was in customer service--not her desired career path. But she kept grinding and excelling, and when the company acquired another women’s outdoor brand, an opportunity arose. She became brand coordinator, and so began the marathon of many hats. And she LOVED it. She did materials sourcing, approved material colors, did day-to-day communication with factories, worked with the marketing team on sales tools, organized photo shoots, and so much more. She gained visibility into all areas of the business, and even though the learning curve was steep, and she was scared and insecure every once in a while, she took a deep breath and did it, and learned a ton. The brand went under and closed after a year, but she got an opportunity to stay on the marketing team on another project. This was another job she wasn’t crazy about, but it motivated her to find something that did make her happy. She reflected on the relationships she had built with her coworkers--she had always been scared of the “networking” word, but was able to connect in a genuine, authentic way with the people she saw every da

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 like through fashion back then. Whether you’re listening for a fun flashback or for some insight into what the New York fashion world was like back then before you were born, you’re going to love this episode! P.S. This interview was done here in my living room in Denver, and my terrier Lana was home and very excited that the ladies were talking. She doesn’t bark, but she’s definitely there tapping around (and chewing on a bully stick). She’s excited about this episode too! In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: How Judy decided to start in the fashion industry What it was like working in the fashion industry when she was right out of college in the 60’s What it was like working for a t-shirt factory in New York (yes--a factory in New York!) How the fax machine changed the lives of the sketches being sent! How the car industry would influence the fashion industry How Judy presented her ideas (sketching, sketching, sketching!) Which celebrity wore her westernwear shirt designs! How the fashion industry was different without Adobe Illustrator FASHION SCHOOL IN THE 60’S Judy Karp was like a lot of us in that she was always interested in art. She knew she wanted to study that (maybe become an art teacher?) But when it came time to choose a college in the 60’s, her counselor suggested Washington University in St. Louis. When she saw the fashion design course in the brochure, she knew she wanted to try it--she like sewing (“everyone sewed back then”), so she did her four years out there. This was back when FIT was a tiny little course, and RISD was somewhere out there. But Judy got her BFA and made her way into the world. At first she got a job for Formfit Rogers, but then decided to move to New York. Formfit Rogers had an office out there, so Judy packed up her volkswagon and made her way out there! Shortly after she got a job as an assistant designer at Smartee--one of the first places to actually DO tshirts. Seriously--no one wore t-shirts back then (maybe to the beach), but she got to be on the forefront of creating that trend! Vogue and Harper used to come by the factory (yes, factory in NY) to check out the t-shirt trend. (Thank goodness Judy helped create the t-shirt as we know it--my life would not be the same without them!) WHAT THE JOB WAS LIKE As you might imagine, Judy spent a lot of time sketching. And sketching some more, and sketching some more. There wasn’t any way to do anything except by hand, she says. Doing things on a computer “wasn’t normal.” My, how the tides have turned! After working in New York until about ‘78, she made her way west to Denver, Colorado. She worked for Carmen westernwear and got to design western shirts for John Travolta in Urban Cowboy! Yes--he wore her designs! Judy’s story really is a fascinating insight into the fashion industry in the 60’s and 70’s--you’re going to love it! Resources & People Mentioned Formfit Rogers Urban Cowboy Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

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 any career after 12 years is a daunting task, but getting back into the fashion industry is an even more intimidating one. As Nicola says in her own words, she felt as though she was “clawing her way up a mountain.” Nicola talks us through everything she did mentally, emotionally, and skill / learning-wise to get prepared and ultimately land her first opportunity back after her 12-year break. She talks through how she figured out which skills she needed to learn, how she started getting internships as a “non-traditional intern” (i.e. not a young college student), how she prepared her portfolio, and got up to speed on technical skills like Adobe Illustrator and tech packs, and also shares the technique she used on her resume so that the first thing brands saw wasn’t a big 12-year gap. Nicola also talks us through how she bombed her first interview and exactly why it went so terribly, and what she did to better prepare for future interviews. Whether you’re struggling with your job search now, or you too have taken some time off and are breaking back in, there’s so much great inspiration and insight in our interview today. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: How Nicola got her start in the fashion industry The different jobs you can get in the fashion industry How she got into childrenswear (and how this niche helped her a lot) How Nicola strategically chose her jobs in order to maximize her experience in the fashion industry The terror Nicola felt when looking for jobs after a decade of not working in the fashion industry How Nicola applied her determination and self-discipline to learn Adobe Illustrator and how to do tech packs to make herself more marketable How Nicola’s self-directed practice portfolio leveled up her interview success How Nicola got over her fears and just went for it The differences Nicola noticed between the interviews that went well and the ones that went poorly, and what she’d do differently NICOLA THEN AND NOW Nicola Osborne is a technical designer for a children’s apparel company in San Francisco. She’s passionate about apparel and has worked for leading British clothing brands such as TopShop, New Look, and Next, where she helped bring the product to market for the right cost at the right time. Her wider experience working for vendors has given her hands-on knowledge of the garment development process, manufacturing systems, and order fulfillment. But she’s been in the industry for a LONG time, and has deep roots in it. Nicola got started in the fashion industry as a fashion model while she was still in school. After she retired from being a model when she was 20, she knew she still wanted to work in the industry in a way that was more intellectually stimulating. She went to a two-year fashion design course in her hometown, fell in love with garment construction and pattern-making, and became fascinated with the technical / skilled side of clothing. She went to a four-year course in fashion and textiles management, and learned all about fabrics, manufacturing, and the business side of the industry. She had never even heard of the garment technology / technical design job position when she first got started in school! But once she dipped her toes in the water, she knew she wanted more. CHILDRENSWEAR? Nicola got one of her first jobs as a junior garment technologist at New Look, a fast-fashion clothing brand. She got great insight into the whole process of getting the clothes made and into the customers’ hands, which is something a lot of people don’t get to do when working with factories in China. After New Look, she got a job at Next in the childrenswear department. While she wasn’t originally interested in getting into childrenswear, she ended up liking it and honing her niche--it became a specialty for her. There’s so much to keep in mind when designing childrenswear, and so many different body shapes to keep in mind when grading and sizing for infants up to 12 year-olds. Then there’s safety considerations--and once you’re in the niche, you’re quite specialized. TIME FOR A BREAK Nicola decided to take a break after she had her first child and her husband’s job took them out of the country. After a while, when the kids started school full time, she thought about getting back into work. Initially she didn’t think about getting back into the fashion industry--she thought about training for something else entirely! She had never heard of anyone having a part-time fashion industry job, and worried she wouldn’t be able to fit it in. But when she thought back on her 6 years of experience in the industry, she figured why not, and started looking at job postings. And that’s when she became “really terrified.” The challenge of how to move forward was daunting for her. Things had advanced so much, and her role as a Garment Tech

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 “fashionista”. But she’s a spitfire of a woman and through pure perseverance and hard work, built an event planning company that now works with brands at New York Fashion Week. Her journey is long an inspiring, from the days she lived paycheck to paycheck and knocked on boutique doors to offer pro bono styling, she tells it all in this interview. Emily has faced a lot of no’s and has had many opportunities to give up, but her sheer passion and drive led her to success. Whether you want a behind the scenes glimpse at what it’s like to be behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: The overview of Emily’s rich history in all things design, and how she landed as an event planner and stylist for New York Fashion Week How having the guts to work *pro-bono* showcased her talents and proved her skill Why she always has contracts--even (especially) when it’s pro-bono work How starting small got her on the right track Why her mentality and never taking “no” for an answer is something we should ALL be doing The BTS of planning, styling, designing, and coordinating New York Fashion Week How New York Fashion Week and the goal of the designers have changed over the years Emily’s role in relation to the designer in the design process How Emily turned “Nos” into “Not right now,” and persevered until she was successful Emily’s opinion on taking time for yourself mentally and emotionally and how to take care of yourself first START SMALL Emily Burton does event planning and styling for New York Fashion Week. BIG WOWs. But Emily started off so small--she lived paycheck to paycheck back when she first got started, and she had to literally go knocking door-to-door to find people she could do free work for just to get exposure, portfolio work, and resume experience. Emily came from an interior design background, and after a while, she got bored with it and wanted a change. In this episode of the podcast, she talks about that change--how she did it, and how it didn’t come easily. There were a lot of tears, no’s, and moments when she wanted to give up. Emily lives in a small town in Georgia--not a fashion hub! And she makes her career work. Yes, she travels--but she does most of it from home! I mention this because I say this all the time--you can work in the fashion industry anywhere. Persevere, have confidence, and keep working hard, and you really can make it work. Emily’s story is inspiring in so many ways, but especially for this reason--she doesn’t take “no” for an answer, and she’s making it happen for herself. Emily is a passionate woman, and she does a great job of pulling back the curtain and sharing the unfiltered truth. After majoring in interior design in school, Emily worked as an interior designer in Atlanta doing commercial and residential. After the economy crashed, losing her job, and moving for a new job that she hated, she knew she had to get back to design. When she saw The Wedding Planner (that J-Lo movie), she fell in love with the idea of event planning, and knew that was where she wanted to go. She wanted to be the “interior designer for your event,” because, as Emily says, “Fashion and the event industry is really a happy marriage.” So she did what any hard-working, passionate woman would do: she worked for free. She knocked on doors, offered her styling and planning services, and kicked ass doing it so that she could build up her portfolio and gain exposure. She would pay photographers and models with her own money when she had to, because she wanted them to know that she valued them, knowing that karma would have her back in the future. “If you create a positive working relationship with your vendors, they’ll want to work with you, and they won’t feel used.” She built experiences, built relationships, and then started getting local contracts to shoot mini magazines, which turned into more referrals, and then the dominoes toppled. HOW TO START CHARGING WHAT YOU’RE WORTH Emily talks about the intricacies of transitioning from working for free to asking to be paid for said work. Yes, she says, it was a struggle. You have to be strategic. What she did was make her craft more tangible--she always let her customers know the exact value of what she was giving them--on paper so they could see. “To get your foot in the door, you can’t disclude doing pro bono work.” But don’t do too much, she says--set a cap for each year, and don’t go over it. Do it on your terms. Emily is full of great advice that she’s lived and succeeded by. You reap what you sow. Do a good job, treat people well, live your dreams, and do well. Fill up your pipeline and the cards will fall the way they may. And the one that kept coming up? The big one? “Don’t take no for an answer. Instead, take it as not right now.” Maybe it’s not the right time for

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 years later, after a lot of different fashion careers, it would turn into her own line of vegan luxury shoes, Cult of Coquette. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Bebe’s journey isn’t that surprising. But it doesn’t mean parts of it weren’t insanely hard and that she hasn’t faced her fair share of failure while she built her company. Bebe walks us through, step by step, how she funded her line of vegan luxury shoes, how she found a factory to produce her designs, and how she built a customer base to sell them to. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: Bebe’s start and thoughtful trajectory in the fashion industry How starting small helped Bebe get off on the right foot How, even despite her success, she ran out of money, and what she did next Bebe’s presale through a crowdfunding campaign, and how it went How presale is going to be part of Bebe’s business’ future (it’s a pretty good model!) The logistics of her factory production, and how she found one that she really liked and was ethical (and female-owned!!) The misconceptions of overseas manufacturing...it gets a bad rap but Bebe has some words for us Bebe’s email marketing strategies (pretty minimal actually! Because she found her niche) The college affiliate program she’s rolling out, and how that will work How Bebe has educated her customer on her ethical and sustainable practices, and her women-empowering focus How Bebe’s customers deal with her presale timeline in the age of Amazon two-day-shipping The one thing people never ask Bebe about working in the fashion industry that she wishes they would And so much more! INTENTIONAL VEGAN LUXURY Bebe Mehr runs a line of vegan luxury shoes called Cult of Coquette. Her journey got started way back in 2011 when she was in college selling stuff on eBay, which turned into her running a boutique, which then turned into her realizing that there was a huge gap in the market for vegan luxury shoes. She knew there were a lot of high heels and shoes out there that just happened to be “vegan,” but it was just because they were cheap to make. There was nobody out there doing it intentionally, creating an exceptional line of luxury shoes and cruelty-free products. So she decided to give it a go and do it herself. It all started in 2014, and over the last 4-5 years, she’s had some major ups and downs. She’s learned what works and what doesn’t. She ran out of money. She had to go back to work and learn the ins and outs of the industry, do some fashion styling, and save up money to launch again. In 2018 she re-launched her brand, and she shares her story with us here on the podcast. She’s really engaged with her customer to find out what they really want before sending anything into production, started small, and found the right manufacturers to partner with. If you have any interest at all in launching your own brand, Bebe’s insight is going to be super valuable to you--use her wisdom and learn from her mistakes to make your dream a reality! ALWAYS THE ENTREPRENEUR Bebe started Cult of Coquette, a line of women’s cruelty-free footwear, in 2014. Her start in the industry was an online business when she was in college, selling things she’d find in China Town in New York. Then she ran a boutique for many years, but after a few years of that, she decided it was time for a brand new business. She had gone to school at FIT in New York for a year and studied Merchandising. She had thought about being a full-blown fashion designer when she was younger, but when she saw the stresses involved, she thought perhaps she’d prefer the business-side of things! While she was running her online eBay store in college at FIT in 2001, her dad called her up one day. He was going to buy a retail space, and wondered if she wanted to open a boutique there. Her online business was really successful, and she was in school to one day open a boutique, so she figured...why not just start now? It was a hectic time in New York (right after 9/11), and she figured if she had the opportunity to open a boutique before finishing school where she was learning to do so… she had to jump on it. She had the boutique for about 8 years, and then...stopped eating meat. MORAL COMPASS REORIENTATION So she’s vegan, now what? Well, that meant there was a conflict of interest against her moral compass to sell fur and leather products in her boutique, so she stopped. And that got her thinking: there are so many opportunities in LA, and so many people making their dreams a reality. When she saw a pair of Louboutins she liked, but didn’t want to purchase because they were real leather, she saw an opportunity. “Why don’t I just start my own line of shoes?” and “What do I have to lose?” turned into 500 pairs of cruelty-free luxury shoes. It turned out vegans all over the world were desperate for something special lik

When it comes to trade shows, there are SO many questions. How much is this going to cost? How does this all work? How do I make sure it’ll be a success? Am I ready? In my interview with Danielle Licata and Kelly Helfman, we talk about these exact questions and more. Danielle and Kelly are brand directors for the Magic Trade Show in Vegas, the Coterie Trade Show in New York, and so many other specialty shows for specific categories. Magic and Coterie are some of the largest fashion trade show events in North America, and these ladies know their STUFF! They’re so knowledgeable and so generous with sharing it here on the podcast--you’re going to love it. We go through what these trade shows are doing to support new and emerging designers (like you!), how to decide if you’re ready, the details of the exact numbers of how much things are going to cost, and they’ve really set you up for success. We talk about how to prepare before, during, and after your trade show experience. I’m so excited about this episode--I know you’re going to love it! In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: DTC vs retail What brands are doing to break in, get started, and stand out at trade shows (and how to know you’re ready) Ways to connect with buyers to make sure you show up at the show in the right orders Step-by-step advice to figure out if this is the right path for you What kinds of brands Kelly and Danielle see coming to their trade shows, and what they’ve seen brands do to have a successful launch the first time around The timeline to be expected The foundation brands start with when jumping into a trade show How seriously buyers take your Instagram following (!), and how clear you need to be on your brand story How much of a foundation to build before getting results at a wholesale trade show How much money to set aside to do trade shows! What Danielle and Kelly think the future of trade shows will look like--they’re changing! What collateral you need to go in prepared as a brand The key to your success at a trade show: knowing who you are as a brand, and knowing where you should be positioned How brands kickoff the successful trade show experience Opportunities for startup and emerging designers What Kelly and Danielle wish people would ask them about working in the fashion industry And so much more! DANIELLE LICATA From being a Sales and Operations Manager at Stella McCartney and Vice President at Belstaff, Danielle Licata has earned her role as the President of East Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing Coterie, Fame, Moda, and AccessoriesTheShow. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury fashion category, Danielle is both a macro-thinker and micro-executer, allowing her lead and successfully builds her team. Danielle has had many hats; from opening flagship stores to increasing multi-million dollar revenues to curating trade shows from the ground up. Since her start at UBM Fashion (now Informa) Danielle has pioneered the launch of Beauty at Coterie and will be unveiling the company’s first stand-alone retail pop-up in Miami this July 2018. KELLY HELFMAN Kelly is the President of West Coast Womens, Informa, overseeing WWDMAGIC, Project Womens, and Pooltradeshow. Kelly leads the MAGIC Women’s events while balancing motherhood and advocating for work/life balance. With 15+ years of experience in fashion sales, marketing, and design, her career highlights include starting her own celeb-favorite, vintage-inspired clothing brand, launching Children's Club Las Vegas, and FWD New York (now merged with FAME). LET’S TALK TRADE SHOWS Kelly and Danielle are here to help you maximize your trade show experience and decide when and if it’s right for you. Through Magic and Coterie trade show, they provide a platform for brands to sell directly to buyers, holding your hand (if you need it!) to do what’s best for your business. They have about seven shows a year, so if you’re interested, there’s always time to get prepared for the next one--you don’t have to wait long! Danielle and Kelly and their team help you decide if you’re 100% ready for a trade show, and in this episode, they talk about how to know if you’re there or not. You could be brand new to trade shows, but if you have a on-trend product at just the right moment in time, they’ll help you make it happen. If the market is saturated with your product, and they don’t feel like you’re ready, they’ll be honest with you! WHAT’S THE DAMAGE? Depending on which trade show you’re interested in, you could be looking at some different price points. Coterie is focused on Contemporary and Premium brands, and Magic is more for the mass market price points. Magic has a $5500-6500 all-inclusive price--that’s tables, chairs, etc. But it only fits 100 samples, so you have to plot out how many booths you might need. They offer booth sharing for a small extra brand fee that’s much more affordable than reserving a whole extra booth. Coterie has an $8300 price point, but there’s a high ra

Kayla’s fashion career journey has been an uphill battle. First, her parents didn’t support a “artsy” degree. Not that uncommon. But then? During her senior year of highschool, her dad became incarcerated. There was no money to pay for her college education. She explored alternate, more “practical”, career paths like accounting and biology, but they bored her. So she took a chance on a creative career and enrolled in a liberal arts state school because FIT was too expensive. Her journey is long and trying. It involves many failures and countless rejection. Pretty much NOTHING has gone her way. But now? 3 years after college graduation? She works in Manhattan as a fashion CAD designer. How’d she finally get her big break? Learning the skills brands needed that she didn’t have (like Illustrator). Doing an exceptional job and being a good worker. And showing confidence...even when she didn’t feel confident. Kayla’s story is inspiring and motivating. She proves that ANYONE can make it in this brutal industry...no matter your financial situation, your family situation, or how many times you hear no. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: The day-to-day responsibilities Kayla has as a CAD designer What Kayla’s #1 software choice is How Kayla finally decided to go to school for fashion...and how she decided which school to attend How she earned the opportunity to continue with her internship and secured a job after graduation How her parents felt about her first job offer right out of school What she did after she was laid off...the first time How she took initiative to learn what she needed to outside of school How Kayla kept at it day after day to roll with the punches and keep going after her DREAM SHE ALWAYS KNEW Kayla grew up doing a lot of art. Even when she was young she would draw and sketch clothes on models! Without really knowing what a fashion designer was when she was little, she would swipe clothes out of the donation and trash in her house and cut them up to sew things for her sister. Sure, it was just a hobby at the time (her parents always reminded her)--but she never got sick of it. Kayla’s parents were more focused on her education. Art (in any form--especially fashion) was never something they saw as a “serious career.” A creative career was a poor person’s job in their opinion...a “starving artist.” But Kayla was the definition of a creative person--she was a dancer, a painter, an artist. She even taught herself art techniques in the library in her free time. In high school, she decided she had to tell her parents she really wanted to go to art school. She put a portfolio together, applied to a summer intensive, and was accepted (obviously). She knew this was her path and her passion, but how could she convince her parents that there would be a solid career path? IT WAS TIME After her father was incarcerated, the decision was almost made for her. It was a sad moment, but she realized something: her parents were no longer going to shoulder the burden of her college tuition, which meant they didn’t have a say in what she studied...so she went for it, all on her own. She applied to a dozen schools and was accepted by ten (ok wow), and she ultimately decided on Framingham State University--it was an awesome four years. As a student she was just as involved and stellar and passionate as she had always been. The summer of her junior year, she was approached about an internship, and got it. It became her first job after graduation as an assistant technical designer...which wasn’t her first choice of a job. Kayla wanted to be mindful not to get pigeonholed within a field and never get out. But with her family’s expectations of her, she took a risk and did it. Her parents (needless to say) were proud. BUT THEN... Six months after graduation, working in her first fashion job, she was laid off. Getting laid off is never fun, but Kayla really felt the pressure from her family. She wanted to prove that she could do it--after all, this was her passion! She decided to view it as a blessing in disguise, and set her sights on New York. She found an internship there and moved in the dead of winter. She worked there for a week, and then it didn’t work out. WHAT NOW? Kayla had just moved to New York, and now didn’t have a job. This would defeat most people…but not Kayla. She put together a few part-time jobs, and worked on her portfolio. Sure, she was rejected left and right at different fashion design jobs she applied for. But she kept at it. HELLO, OLD FRIEND Kayla went back to the library. She worked hard on her portfolio and met with a career counselor. She connected with a temp agency and learned about what hiring managers were looking for, and made it happen. She focused on acquiring the skills she didn’t have, and honing the skills she did. After hustling with juggling jobs and portfolio projects and applying for jobs, she nailed a job as a design assistant. All because she noticed where she w

Jessica Osborn is the CEO and founder of Privy Label, a company that teaches fashion entrepreneurs how to launch their custom Men's or Women's apparel lines through design, development, and small batch manufacturing in the US. They work with designers who have an idea but aren’t really sure where to go from there, or who get stuck somewhere in the process. She talks traditional vs. on-demand manufacturing, production process and timelines, the #1 mistake she sees brands make, and more. For the complete show notes, including links to any resources mentioned, head to Successful Fashion Designer! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Kimberly Dippel was on the Successful Fashion Design podcast in August 2017, and we talked about her success finding freelance projects on Upwork. Since then, she’s come such a long way! In this episode of the podcast, we’re doing our first (!) follow-up with a past guest. Kimberly has slayed the freelance game this last year and a half, and you’re going to love this recap of how she’s made it happen for herself. Kimberly Dippel is a fashion designer with 13 years of experience working for surf brands like Oneil and Quiksilver. After having a baby and moving away from a hub, she wanted to try freelancing. After not having any luck with her existing contacts, she turned to UpWork where she successfully landed a few ongoing clients that kept her consistently busy. But she’s way past her Upwork days! In the interview, Kim shares how she transitioned from piecing together small Upwork clients to the four clients she works with now full-time. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: How Kimberly moved from her Upwork hustle to her four steady clients How she goes about pricing, structuring projects, and getting the wages she (and you!) deserves What she learned after experimenting with charging less in order to build out her freelance fashion design portfolio How she keeps track of her time (it’s a free app linked below! No more annoying spreadsheets) Her advice on managing and controlling projects these days (communication is key!) What she’s learned about charging a flat rate (hint: briefs, briefs, briefs!) Where her clients are coming from now (and where you can look to get ideas for yourself!) WHERE SHE WAS In Episode 16, Kimberly was combing Upwork to get freelance fashion design jobs, and figuring out how to charge what she was worth. She had to comb through a lot of junk and low-paying gigs, but was able to find a few clients that she worked with consistently, and slowly built up her freelance fashion design portfolio. Now, she still has one of her same Upwork clients, plus four more steady clients that keep her busy full-time! Kimberly has made such amazing progress in her fashion career since we last spoke that we had to catch up with her--and boy, did she learn some lessons along the way. Kimberly tells us about one project that she took on to focus on building out her freelance portfolio, where she learned some important lessons about valuing herself and her work. It was her first really big job (30 full tech packs and design!), and she was getting ripped off. But she doesn’t regret the lessons she learned from that: freelance is a different animal--one that comes with growing pains and zero step-by-step instructions. She (and everyone!) is always learning how to grapple with the learning curve gracefully. THESE DAYS Kimberly has some awesome advice for people getting into the freelance game. In the interview, she tells us how she charges clients, how she manages and controls projects, and how she keeps clients in the loop every step of the way in order to avoid surprises (for everyone). She even tells us where her clients are coming from now--which might be a surprise! Her website and LinkedIn are linked below--go see how she’s presenting herself on the platforms, and see how it compares to what you might be doing… Kimberly is full of good advice for freelancers because she did it herself from scratch. She went from putting together Upwork jobs to actually not having much time to take on new clients--in a year and a half! Tune in to hear all of her advice and get inspired. And go check out episode 16 to hear the beginning of her adventure into freelance! Resources & People Mentioned Successful Fashion Designer Podcast episode 16 with Kimberly Dippel Kim’s Portfolio Website Kimberly Dippel on LinkedIn Flexible Timers app Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

There are a lot of different paths to becoming a freelance fashion designer. And Heather Royer took one I’d never heard of before. Instead of working directly with brands, she got her first freelance opportunity designing for a factory in China. The best part? There are ways you can create the same freelance opportunities for yourself, and she shares step by step her best advice to do this. In her 20+ years in the industry, Heather has worked for brands like Target, LL Bean, REI and Talbots. She now runs a team of 9 full time fashion designers located around the world while working remote from her home in south Florida. And it all started with one freelance gig from LinkedIn. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: The simple change you can make to your LinkedIn profile to attract brands or factories looking for freelancers How to turn one freelance project into many to get more work and make more money What brands are looking for when interviewing and hiring freelance fashion designers How to give your opinion and feedback about design without sounding pushy or negative Why staying in touch with past coworkers and industry friends can make or break your success (even if you’re uncomfortable “networking”) What Heather’s transition from working as an employee to working freelance looked like and how you can do the same What Heather learned at her first (big!) freelance project for a Chinese company How she made the decision to start hiring designers to help her The skills Heather looks for in her own freelance candidates-for-hire How Heather runs her freelance business and the freelancers that work for her FROM 4H TO FASHION Heather Royer has created a job for herself that is unlike anything we’ve heard of before here at Successful Fashion Designer. But like most fashion designers, fashion was just a hobby in her early life. But she did get an early start! Heather was in 4H when she was little (the kids club that does hands-on projects surrounding health, science, and agriculture), and loved the sewing aspect of the group. She started making clothing when she was 7 years old! We’d say “the rest is history,” but we’d be leaving a lot out (like when she worked for the park service in Alaska building hiking trails--how cool is that??). Knowing she always had a passion for working in the fashion industry, she took fashion classes on the side, and then made the commitment to going to Rhode Island School of Design. She started designing kids’ outdoor clothes (talk about blending her loves), and then got a great first job as “just” an assistant--but she loved it! It was “the bottom of the barrel,” but she got great exposure to the industry that way. THEN CAME THE FREELANCING Heather’s freelancing career came about as more of a necessity--she wanted to move to Florida, but knew there weren’t going to be a lot of jobs in the fashion industry. So she took her fate into her own hands: she started working on her portfolio, working on her own projects, and branching out. She started her own jewelry line, and got a taste of business for herself. When one of her contacts on LinkedIn reached out to her about an opportunity, she was ready. This is where her career path delved into the unknown. Much like her work for the park service, Heather made her own… fashion-hiking-trail, if you will. What started as a simple proposal for a factory in China for men’s cold weather goods turned into a huge project and eventually a team of 9 full-time designers working for her. How? Partly the usual way: she gave it her all. She worked long long (long) hours, did tight turns, bent over backwards. But she also vocalized her ideas, drew on her previous experience, and eventually started outsourcing her workload to other freelancers, as well. Freelancing begets more freelancing! As much as she cringed at “networking,” she made it work with her friends and contacts. SUCCESSFUL (FREELANCE) FASHION DESIGNER Now that she’s the Vice President of Design and Operations for Weihai Luda Company, Heather is still looking forward. She has plans to build a private label, her own brands, and chooses to think of her company as an investment portfolio that she diversifies and keeps flexible. Heather’s rich experience building her own business has led to enormous insight into the life of a successful freelance fashion designer, and her advice is applicable to almost any fashion designer. She’s learned how to delegate, how to build a team, how to outline tangible results, and how to make sure things are getting done, all while acknowledging that the fashion industry is “not always glamorous. If you can see the humor in that, it’ll go a lot farther.” We loved hearing Heather’s inspirational story--you really can create the job you want! Resources & People Mentioned Heather Royer on LinkedIn Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on G

Chelsea Ma won Project Runway Juniors when she was just 15 years old...and with no previous fashion experience. Like a lot of designers, she had an interest in fashion, but had no idea where to start. After convincing her parents to let her trade figure-skating lessons for sewing lessons, she began one step at a time by learning how to use a machine and creating her first designs. In this interview, she shares exactly how she went from a few sewing lessons to winning Project Runway Juniors. Chelsea is proof that hard work and determination pay off, even if you have no background or experience with design. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: What it was like applying to Project Runway Junior (wow what a marathon) What kinds of questions PRJ asked in the interview How she felt as a 14-year-old flying out to New York for Project Runway Juniors The inside scoop on her first challenge (what a rollercoaster!) What the competitive environment was like on Project Runway Junior Chelsea’s favorite challenges The risks Chelsea took on the show What it was like being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai How she felt in the last moments before revealing her collection How she confidently faced the finale of Project Runway Junior The fact that the dramatically slow passage of time before announcing a winner is actually a real thing ;) What it was like winning Project Runway Junior!!! Where her ambition took her after Project Runway Junior and why you should “burn your boats” What her plans are for when she graduates! And so much more! CHELSEA MA THE CHAMP Chelsea Ma had almost no previous fashion experience when she won Project Runway Junior Season 2--I mean, she was only 14 when she applied! She and her sewing teacher; Miss Trang, had to hustle to put together her application in just two weeks. They had to make a video, a portfolio, and FIVE outfits...two weeks, people! Then auditions, interviews, and off to New York. Sounds surreal, right? And then she won. But it wasn’t as short of a story as all that...there were tears, sweat, and even a little blood on the road to her success (sewing leather by hand is fierce business)--but this teen is wise beyond her years and tells us all about the hustle and how she kept going through each of the challenges, even when she was sure they would send her home. Chelsea tells us all about the rollercoaster of the challenges and being judged by Tim Gunn, Hannah Jeter, Kelly Osbourne, Christian Siriano, and Aya Kanai. She talks about the time limits, the preparation, the materials, the drama (or thankfully, lack thereof) between the competitors, and goes into detail about what was going through her head during these high-stress challenges. Like in episode 1, when she thought she made a major mistake with her materials, but of course absolutely slayed it. SO SHE WON, WHAT NOW? If it’s not obvious that Chelsea is a hustler that never stops, let me make it clear: this woman does! Not! Stop! Right now she’s in school full time and working on two collections. Check out her line Visual Novel, her collection-based fashion line that launched in September 2018, and keep an eye out for her accessories line (that she’s doing for fun), Dessac. This Project Runway Junior winner has so much drive and ambition that we know her career is going to be an illustrious one. Can’t wait to see what’s to come! Resources & People Mentioned Chelsea Ma on Instagram @chelsea_ma Chelsea Ma’s fashion line on Instagram @chelseamaofficial Miss Trang’s line Doeskin Miss Trang’s line on Instagram @doeskin_la Chelsea’s clothing line Visual Novel | Instagram @visualnovelofficial Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Designing and starting a fashion line is exhilarating and inspiring and something most of us want to jump right into. Starting a fashion line that sells is something completely different--but it’s something you can do. Robyn and I are BACK with a podlet that sums up six easy steps to starting a fashion line that sells. The Successful Fashion Designer podcast has been going for 75(!) episodes, and after interviewing as many talented, business-savvy fashion designers as I have, Robyn and I noticed that many of them had similar advice when it came to designing a fashion line that sells. We went back through and extracted the golden advice nuggets from their episodes and distilled it down for you here--it’s great advice for everyone that wants to start a fashion line the right way. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Finding and owning your niche to create a fashion line that sells How NOT to design for everybody (seriously!) Solving your own problems by facing and overcoming the fashion challenges that you have Doing RESEARCH on other fashion lines Actually going to where your customer is hanging out to do MORE research Testing, testing, and testing some more--getting feedback on your samples Engaging and asking your customer for feedback during the design + development process Asking open-ended questions to get more information from your customers And so much more! Episodes Referenced: Episode 17 with Anna Livermore of Vmora Episode 31 with Sarah Coronado Episode 39 with Exclusively Kristen Episode 70 with Aaron Luo of Caraa Episode 44 with Timm Smith of Voormi Episode 12 with Colleen Monroe, founder of Untucked Workwear Connect with cohost Robyn: Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine. Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Being a lingerie designer is its own unique and interesting niche of working in the fashion industry. There are tons of different things you have to think about compared to designing - let’s say - shirts or jackets. But it’s a pretty cool job! Laurie Van Jonsson knows this firsthand. From launching her own lingerie brand that was sold in TopShop to working for other companies, she knows the ins and outs of being a lingerie designer. Her 15 years of experience make her an expert in this category, and in this interview, she shares it all. From how she broke into the lingerie industry, how she sold her designs to global retailers, and how she ultimately became a freelance lingerie designer. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Designing within constraints and restrictions in the lingerie design industry (that’s how she found her niche!) The mistakes (many people make) of trying to cater to too many markets Working with large manufacturers as a lingerie designer Having the passion and belief in your product to sew it all yourself (by hand!) How to be the lingerie designer that stands out with major retail buyers (being “pest-like” was described as a positive trait here!) How Laurie started blogging, grew her business, wrote and published a book, and managed the supply and demand for niche lingerie sizes How Laurie’s freelance work built off of the momentum of her other projects The mistakes people make when starting their own fashion brand Advice on the best way to start strong, save time, and save money Working with people as a freelancer in the lingerie fashion industry Setting clear expectations and scope with freelance clients How Laurie built a foundation of inbound referrals that led to projects The challenges of working with people across the globe And so much more! Freelance Designer with Lingerie Leanings Laurie van Johnson, a lingerie designer who started out in the industry back in 2003, first worked as a lingerie designer for brands, but quickly built her own brand of full cup, small back bras that she's sold throughout the world, including TopShop. Laurie now works as a freelance fashion designer working with other startup brands to help them launch labels and get patterns, grading, and tech packs all in order so that their bras and lingerie fit perfectly. After fifteen years in the fashion industry, she has great stories and loads of advice for freelancers and budding branders alike. Laurie has a rich history in the fashion industry. She studied Fashion and Textiles in school, and focused her obsession with detail into lingerie and swimwear as soon as she could. She focused her expertise on a small niche of the lingerie market, and quickly became an expert in the industry. She wrote “How to Become a Lingerie Designer” in 2012, and currently specializes in working with startup designers. Advice for Every Fashion Designer Laurie draws up designs, writes spec sheets, produces tech packs, and provides consultation for the startup lingerie designers of the world. She launched Van Jonsson Design again in September 2018, and she writes technical books, design sheets, and design patterns full time. Laurie spoke about finding her niche, what to charge freelance clients, and how she stood out with major retail buyers. Her passion for her craft is contagious and we know you’ll love hearing about her experience in the lingerie design realm! Resources & People Mentioned Laurie van Jonsson Website Laurie van Jonsson Instagram Vanjo Laurie van Jonsson Facebook Laurie van Jonsson Blog Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Many of you have loads of Q’s about working in fashion…and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don’t know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don’t even know where to go. Which is why I’m excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on 3D modeling, prototyping, kick-starting your career, and productivity. (If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode! On the future of 3D modeling as an industry standard for product developers and technical developers, from Meggan [2:14] I was curious if there would be any transition or talk about 3D modeling and how it’s becoming more and more an industry standard for both product developers and technical developers. More importantly design. In my industry 3D modeling is replacing 1st prototype (I work for [brand name redacted] in Apparel Dev). We are also curating libraries for trims in 3D software so it’s a full breath of garment and drape with all embellishment and decoration. Are you seeing this in your career as well? Crazy how shifts happen so quickly. On prototyping, sampling, and getting to know who you’re working with in production, from Jo [10:30] I love listening to your podcast and feel like I have learned a lot! I know this is a long-shot, but I am desperate for some advice. I am creating a special denim line for woman and had a sample made by a US manufacturer. The sample took an unbelievably long amount of time and came back not at all reflecting my tech pack (they basically just re-created my rough proto). I decided to hire a company that works with startups to refine our tech pack and pattern file based on the fit testing. If I use this smaller company, I have to either choose pre-washed denim or outsource the wash process. With the larger (but less dependable company), it would all be done in the same facility for less per price cost (but higher minimum). Due to high shrinkage, I have to make a decision on the fabric in order to move forward with changes to the pattern. I have never gone through the manufacturing process before and really want to move forward. Do you have any advice you could share? On kick-starting your career (hint: it’s never too late), from Cihud [15:19] Do you think it's too late for me at this age (28) already? From your experience, what's the difference between the designers that start early and the ones who come later like me? And this is a bit personal, if I may know, where were you at 28 y.o? What kind of life situation, job, finance, and what stage of your career at that time. As much as I wanna feel motivated that I believe I'm doing the right thing/ on the right track, it still sometimes hits my self-esteem and questioning my potentials and future. On opportunities to learn how the fashion industry works, from Cihud [17:19] You mentioned that you didn't have any fashion background before landing your first fashion assistant job, and now you're very knowledgeable and skillful in apparel manufacturing. How long did it take for you to grasp at least sufficient knowledge to be confident in yourself that you know you've got what it takes? On productivity: doing it all and then doing more, from Cihud [19:34] How do you manage to do everything? I see you have a lot of things to take care of. I want to know what your typical day is, what your routine is like from the moment you wake up and sleep. Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 19 with Kathryn Hilderbrand of Good Clothing Company If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Guess what? If you want to have a fashion brand, you’re going to have to deal with accounting. And while it’s not the sexiest topic around, it’s a fact of doing business. But the good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. And in this interview with accountant Peter Lang, who specializes in working with creatives and fashion designers, he shares how to simplify the process and be strategic with your money. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Setting up your fashion design business strategically to save money on taxes Financial planning for fashion designers and businesses How to budget appropriately and save for taxes and retirement What you can write off on taxes (bet some of these are going to be new to you!) What you can NOT write off on taxes that you may have thought you could! Advice on how much is safe to put aside for taxes How to prepare to get a loan and how to use it successfully Self-employment tax and the differences between being an employee and a business owner How to financially prepare for crowd-sourcing and the tax implications of “free money” Penalties and repercussions of tax mistakes How best to prepare for audits Peter Lang, an accountant for creative professionals like you in the fashion industry, loves talking about finances, budgeting, and taxes. He promises there are no stupid questions in the tax accounting world, and wishes everyone were comfortable to ask more detailed questions about their finances--there’s so much to know! Peter’s not a regular CPA--he’s a Designer CPA. Peter has been a CPA for fifteen years, and his niche is the design industry. He provides tax accounting, CFO, and overall financial advice to business owners in the design industry. When Peter started working as a CPA, he accepted clients as they came, but noticed some of his clients were...more exciting than others. He started working with interior designers, then fashion designers, and the rest is history: he had found his specialization and calling in the CPA world. Peter’s accounting advice goes into great detail on the podcast--he covers important issues to consider when getting funding, whether it’s from a small business loan, investors, and / or crowdfunding, and the tax implications and best-practice of using that money. He gives advice on entities to consider for your business, whether it’s sole proprietor or corporation, and how to save money on self-employment. He also dives into sales tax and what to do about passing that on to your end customer (spoiler alert: he says it’s one of the most complex topics!) but manages to advise in clear, concise ways that make us want to nerd-out on accounting and finances more often. Do I need a Designer CPA? It can only help, right? Peter says fashion designers can benefit from the service of any CPA that they’re compatible with, but as a Designer CPA, he considers himself a little more on the wavelength of the design industry. He found he could provide more value to his design clients all year-round, and could serve as a trusted advisor and help them grow their business. It’s always refreshing to work with people who are passionate about the same things as you are--especially if they have your best financial interests at heart. Resources & People Mentioned thedesignercpa.com The Designer CPA on Instagram The Designer CPA on Facebook Traction by Gino Wickman--Peter’s recommendation for processes for business plan, budgeting, and more Avalara -- Peter’s recommendation for a cloud-based, automated tax software Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

It’s easy to see someone who’s living their fashion design dream and think, “they got lucky, but that could never happen to me.” But the truth couldn’t be further from that. The reality? You have NO idea what their back story is. You have NO idea how hard they worked to get there. And you have NO idea how many times they failed on the way to achieving their fashion design dream. Kirby Nunez is an unbelievably hard working man. His story is humbling, inspiring, and is one of the best examples of how perseverance and drive will pay off. After being applying for a design job and being rejected a MASSIVE 7 times, he finally got a foot in the door as an intern at Puma. Two years later, he still works there full-time. And he loves every minute of it. He is genuinely living out his fashion design dream. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: How to turn land your dream fashion design internship, even if you’ve been rejected before The best way to turn an internship into a full time fashion design job The simple things you can do at work to get ahead of the competition How to advance your fashion design career What you can do to make sure your resume and portfolio stand out Like you, Kirby started his fashion career from the bottom. The truth about success? Is that it’s usually preceded by A LOT of failure, and that most people start at the bottom (just like Kirby). After applying to his dream fashion job at Puma 7 times, he finally got the opportunity to prove himself. But as a part-time intern, he had a long way to go to become a full time employee. So how’d he do it? By kicking major butt and going the extra mile in everything he did. In this interview, he shares the exact strategies he used to make sure he was the one to get offered a full time job at the end of the internship. Resources & People Mentioned Kirby on LinkedIn Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

When it came to success in fashion, Guillermo Irias had nothing going for him. Raised in the Honduras by a single mom who didn’t think a fashion career was a good idea, he didn’t have the financial or emotional support he needed. But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design. Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will Working your way through college after leaving home Funding your dream with side jobs Showcasing at New York fashion week Entering contests that can change your career Moving to New York and attending F.I.T Internships that lead to working with high profile clients Trying to find the right job after college Guillermo has done every and any job to get to where he is at today. From making garments for friends to styling for NY residents, and entering contests to doing free internships at any brand that would take him, he saw every experience as an opportunity to learn something. He even had the opportunity to design for Madonna's Rebel heart tour in 2015. All of this work created huge results. GIA New York is a successful NY brand that has grabbed people's attention all across the U.S. With huge following on social media and a love for his unique take on fashion, he is taking the industry by storm. To hear part 1, view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71 Click here to join the last round of FAST!

When it came to success in fashion, Guillermo Irias had nothing going for him. Raised in the Honduras by a single mom who didn’t think a fashion career was a good idea, he didn’t have the financial or emotional support he needed. But he is hardworking, driven, and passionate. And he wasn’t willing to let anything come between him and his dream to design. Now, at the young age of 30, he lives in NYC and runs his brand, Gia New York, full-time. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Learning to believe in your dream when no one else will Working your way through college after leaving home Funding your dream with side jobs Showcasing at New York fashion week Entering contests that can change your career Moving to New York and attending F.I.T Internships that lead to working with high profile clients Trying to find the right job after college Guillermo has done every and any job to get to where he is at today. From making garments for friends to styling for NY residents, and entering contests to doing free internships at any brand that would take him, he saw every experience as an opportunity to learn something. He even had the opportunity to design for Madonna's Rebel heart tour in 2015. All of this work created huge results. GIA New York is a successful NY brand that has grabbed people's attention all across the U.S. With huge following on social media and a love for his unique take on fashion, he is taking the industry by storm. Watch for Guillermo’s Interview Part 2 on Oct 29 To view photos + the video version of this episode, visit http://sfdnetwork.com/71 Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Becoming a fashion designer in real life is not what most people think it is. Because what you see on Project Runway and what you learn in school is not how the industry actually works. So if you want a career in fashion, get the inside scoop from 10 industry experts. Most of them have between 10-20 years experience, and they’ve worked at Brands like Lululemon, Under Armour, TopShop, Mavi Jeans, and Roxy. Their designs have been Featured in magazines like InStyle, Vogue and Sports Illustrated. If I were you? I’d take their advice VERY seriously. Get ready for some good stuff (you know, the stuff no one talks about). It’s why I call it FASHION INDUSTRY SECRETS REVEALED. Note: This was originally released on YouTube as part of the full Fashion Industry Secrets Revealed series (check out all episodes here). This episode lent so well to audio that we decided to release it as a bonus episode - enjoy! Resources & People Mentioned Carla Louise Stout: Website / Instagram Cristina Dorda Soriano Website / Instagram Eirini Scott: Website / Instagram Emily Keller: Website / Instagram Jackie Ayres: Website / Instagram Kimberly Hamilton-Rice: Website / Instagram Kimberly Dippel: Website Leila Jalili: LinkedIn / Instagram Malie Bingham: Website / Instagram Marissa Borelli: Website / Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Seeing other fashion brands on social media with these crazy cult followings can be pretty intimidating. You see these fashion brands and think, “I can't possibly generate that much interest in my designs.” But it’s possible.! You can design products that people want to buy because they are obsessed! With the right consumer research and branding, you can fill a gap in the market. Create the right product for the right person? Can lead to a cult following. This is exactly what Aaron and Carmen of Caraa did. But not without the leg work it takes to build this kind of cult following. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Starting your fashion career in a different field (finance) Finding a gap in the fashion market, and figuring out how to fill the gap Saturating the fashion accessories market with a unique product Learning how to lead with design, but sell based on function Launching with only one well researched fashion product Doing product research directly with your potential customer Wading through all the financial options for funding Working with big brands to collaborate Why one way pitching doesn't often work out Manufacturing locally until you’re ready to manufacture overseas. Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts: Aaron Luo and his partner Carmen Chen Wu, are innovators in the fashion accessories world. They noticed a gap in the market for a bag that would meet the needs of the multifaceted woman. The working woman, the mom, and yogi who needed the right bag to transition throughout all those roles without switching her bag, or worse carrying three of them at once. They have generated a cult following because of their unique, fashion focused, function driven line of bags. Like you, Aaron started his fashion career from an unlikely field. With 20 years in finance for a company that specializes in clothing production he gained an understanding of the fashion market from a unique perspective. When he and his partner Carmen (designer for many years) discovered a major gap in the market they decided to embark on this exciting new adventure together. Being a designer, it’s not as sexy as TV makes it out to be. Aaron shares the ins and outs of designing a brand new fashion product. Most people think, “I designed this product, how can I fit it into the current market place?”. But Arron tells us about discovering a gap in the marketplace, then designing a product around what that consumer wants and more importantly what this customer needs. Resources & People Mentioned Caraa Website Caraa Instagram Athleta Collaboration Caraa At Nordstrom Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Do you want to create a sustainable fashion brand ...but feel like you’re on the outside edge of what is going on in the fashion world? It can feel as though no one will ever give you the answers to your questions or share their inside information or tips. Well... good news, this isn't permanent. There are many ways to get the information and help you need to create your sustainable fashion brand. But it's probably not from the people or places you have been looking. Hearing Eva’s story will give you a brand new outlook. It will change the way you look at your materials, products and production. She shares how her journey took a turn for the better and how she found an easier, much more inclusive environment to have her garments made and how she kept to her goal of including community into her sustainable fashion brand. In the interview (which you’ll love) we cover: Why knowing what you want to do from the age 16 doesn't always land you in the right college How to make your college courses work for you How working with startup and indie brands created a base knowledge for her future work Why it’s important to have a photographer who already knows the model agency How creating a profile on Model Mayhem led to her first shoot getting published Why she decided to start making her own clothing How she found her dream tailor in Bali What deadstock fabrics are How she uses studio sales to learn from her customers Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts: Eva Sheridan is the founder of her sustainable fashion brand EnoBlack. Her fashion brand encompases her passion for sustainability and community into one beautiful package. Offering people well designed, custom sizing and quality, unique fabrics she gives her customer an experience like no other brand can. Like you, Eva started the line with no industry experience. It all started in 2000 at Stanford University (with isn’t know for its fashion education) where she molded her degree to fit her career aspirations. A few years later, and she decided to start piecing together this dream she had of creating her own sustainable line. She quickly found this discouraging, no one in the States was willing to share their insights or tips with other designers. Everything soon changed on her honeymoon trip to bali. In Bali, she meet the perfect tailor who was willing to small batch one of her designs. She brought these dresses home and a couple extra intended to be gifts for friends. She soon had none left for herself, her friends bought up all of her dresses! So she returned to Bali to meet with her tailor again and see how she could build this relationship, and grow her brand. Resources & People Mentioned Eno Black Website Eno Black on Instagram Eno Black on Facebook Model Mayhem Braces Goof (Episode 45) Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Many of you have loads of Q’s about working in fashion…and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don’t know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don’t even know where to go. Which is why I’m excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice.Once a month, I answer your Q’s on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I’ll be giving my best advice on college, Why You're Not Getting the Job, Freelancing and Factories.(If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.)Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode! On getting the skills needed to get into college, and finding a good stylist tool, from Mila [1:28] I want to study fashion design in college. But I’m afraid that I’m still not skilled enough to get in. I’m wondering if there’s any way to build up my skill so I’m confident and capable of getting in? And I’m in the process of getting a good stylist tool, and want to ask if there’s any good apps and programs for tablets for fashion design? On the essential things to know apart from illustration and tech packs, from Mary [8:08] I want to know what are the other essential things one needs to know apart from illustration and tech packs,and what do you recommend will be of help to us, lastly when you started what did you learn first that put you in that different light. On how to get a job in the industry, from Noa 14:09 I am writing to you hoping you help. I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and majored in Accessories Design. I've since interned in a few places but now that I am looking for a permanent job in the industry I can't seem to land one. I'm getting interviews so I know my resume isn't the issue. I have a portfolio and I looked at your website to only use relevant-to-job designs yet I'm missing something obviously. I've used the websites for fashion, recruiters, and nothing seems to work. I was advised by my school not to have an online portfolio since people are more likely to steal ideas that way. I'm hoping you can help me in anyway by giving me direction or looking at portfolio which I can send you via email. On common practices when working with a freelance client, from Austin 20:15 I have my first design client on the line, but I'm lacking confidence in formatting designs and how to present questions without letting on that I don't really know the drill! I want to see some of their other designs to get a feel for how they are accustomed to seeing things presented. Is it common practice to ask my contact at the brand to pass them along to me? On finding the right factory and pricing from your line, from Riaa 22:31 I managed to find a few suppliers that I have visited their factories before. I have sent them my designs and has asked them to quote me. All of them, perhaps, knew my inexperience in the field, quoted me a very high price for samples and bulk production. Except one supplier - who is rated quite well on alibaba but I have never seen their factory before. I just happened to reply to one of their emails and they quoted me reasonable prices for my designs. The problem is i want top notch quality stitching. Should i be cautious that they are quoting me much lower than the rest? What would you do in my position? Resources mentioned in this episode: Wacom **Update** There is an app called Astropad that lets you to turn your iPad into a drawing tablet for your Mac. Thanks @hollytylerdesign for letting me know about this :) Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Fashion Portfolio (in a weekend) Heidi’s Fashion Design Journey (with embarrassing photos) Click here to join the last round of FAST!

You finally have your design process down and your merchandise production down to a science and you feel like you’re ready to take on one of those big time retailers, but you have no idea how to reach them. You have no idea how to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom, you're a little scared to hand over your fashion designs and trust them to a stranger. Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it seems. You can find the right showroom sales partner to help you take your fashion line to the next level. This is exactly what Purvi Kanji does for several designers from all over the country. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast she talks about her job and how she helps designers like YOU, get into their dream retailer. In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover: How to get your foot in the door of a fashion showroom How to know if you’re ready to start building that relationship What it means to fine tune your price point What a fashion showroom sales representative can do for your brand How your brand should look before working with a fashion showroom How to get discovered by a fashion showroom What the negotiation process looks like before working with a fashion showroom Creating consistency from season to season and region to region The importance of creating an experience for your customer Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts: Purvi Kanji is a showroom director of Place showroom, which is a full service sales and consulting agency. She works with independent, established and startup brands to find the best place for you to sell your fashion line in the crazy retail world. Understanding just what you want and need is her specialty. Purvi shares just how much effort she puts into finding the perfect place for each designers fashion line. She shares with us that every contract is designed around each designers needs and wants for their brand. And the more voice your brand has the easier it is for them to find the perfect fit for your fashion line. Getting your foot in the door - it really can be simple. She also shared with us that they find designers all over the place. In local shows, through mutual connections and the most common is, believe it or not, Instagram. This little world of squares isn't just about taking pretty pictures. It's a universal platform to completely brand yourself and get your designs in front of the eyes of some of the countries biggest branding and consulting agencies without spending a dime. They look here on a regular basis to find new talent and well curated brands. Resources & People Mentioned Place Showroom Website Place Showroom Blog Place Showroom Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

One of the best ways to get ahead in fashion - whether it's to get your first (or next) job or to launch your own fashion brand - is networking. Now, I know, no one really wants to "network". But here's the thing: You don't have to do that "networking" thing. Instead, you can just focus on making friends and having conversations. Once you build some of these simple habits into your daily life, opportunities will literally start falling in your lap. I guarantee it. Because - in case you didn't realize it - friends share resources and opportunities with other friends. So the next time you need a job or a desperate to find a new factory for production, if you have a network, you'll easily be able to reach out and ask someone for help. In this Podlet episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Robyn and I go through 10 easy networking tips you can use today. We reference examples of how other guests on the show have used these strategies, and share ideas about how you can use them. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration. In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover these networking tips: How to network online and build remote relationships...no matter where you live How to easily stay in touch with your network so they think about you for opportunities How to expand your network beyond the obvious "fashion designers" What two tiny things you can do to stand out from everyone else Why your attitude has a huge impact on whether people want you to be part of their "network" How working together versus working alone will get you 10x further in life and your career The importance of building your network with the expectation of getting nothing in return How to get what you want...by asking for it Why you need to pay attention to other people...and not just think about yourself Episodes referenced: Episode 35 with contract designer Hilary Glenn Episode 60 with designer Carla Stout Episode 4 with freelancer Marissa Borelli Episode 29 with designer Malie Bingham Episode 43 with freelance pattern maker David Russon Episode 47 with designer Aileen Coyle Episode 61 with brand owner Jackie Ayres Mailbag Episodes Connect with cohost Robyn: Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Are you an artist or designer who finds inspiration is everywhere, often in the most unexpected places? And do you ever feel stuck not knowing how to turn it into anything? This is exactly what happened to Nadia Ricketts of Beatwoven, a textile and surface pattern designer who turned music into fabric. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she walks us through how she created a surface pattern design brand using her one-of-a-kind vision and inspiration. In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover: Seeing sound within your surface pattern designs Designing your own surface pattern technology when the industry doesn't provide it Working with the last remaining silk weaving plant in the UK How you can create collaborations with big brands Wading through how to fund your dream project Understanding the boundaries between copyright vs trademark Working with lawyers to really understand your niche Finding your focus between interior design and fashion design The value of self development and keeping your surface pattern design dream alive Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts: Nadia Ricketts is an innovator in the world of surface pattern design. She took her college project and turned it into a brand. She has done partnerships with huge brands like Harrods to create unique textiles that combine surface pattern design with music. Like you, Nadia started with an inspiration. An idea to change the way we look at music. Yes, look at music! Nadia was a dancer for most of her young life. Music held a place in her heart and she enjoyed letting her body tell the story the music notes were playing. While finishing up her degree to become a textile designer she came up with an idea to integrate sound waves into her surface pattern designs. Becoming an innovator in your field, it's not all fun and games. She shares with us all about the background research that goes into creating something out of nothing. Licensing and the difficulties of wading through all the legal jargon and technicalities of copyright and trademark. The struggle of “getting things to work” and the importance of self development. Resources & People Mentioned Beatwoven Website Beatwoven Instagram Harrods Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

You’re someone who spends hours getting lost in a fashion idea, drawing and redesigning a garment over and over again until it’s just right. But once those ideas are perfected you’re not sure how to go from hand drawing on a napkin to holding that garment in your hands. But you can wade through the uncertainty of becoming a startup fashion designer, your dream can come true! Which is exactly what Anouchka Santella of Wear Gold clothing line did. And in this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, Heidi introduces you to her, where they talk about how she became a startup fashion designer. In the interview (which you'll love) we will cover: How to take napkin drawings from concept to an actual product line Finding a reliable team of seamstresses and pattern makers Deciding to keep your garment production local and cost effective Why you shouldn't be afraid to take risks with your first fashion Line How to drive sales to your design website in a cost effective way Why it's important to take the right margin on your final garments Her decision to design something that would create less waste in our landfills Why you shouldn't be ashamed of your retail price point How she funded her startup fashion design brand The importance of having the self discipline to get to the finish line slowly Press the orange play button below to listen here, or listen on Apple Podcasts: Anouchka Santella was a journalism major who has taken her pipe dream and made herself into a full fledged fashion designer with her startup fashion line called Wear Gold, in only 6 months. Like you Anouchka Santella was just a girl with a passion for fashion design. She had no experience or education in fashion design, pattern making or sewing, so she never thought she could become a designer. That was as big of a dream as becoming a “big music star or movie actress”. Like many designers she noticed a hole in the fashion marketplace that she wanted to fill. Where fast fashion is on the rise and so are the piles of garbage in the landfills, she wanted to create a line that would stand the test of time. What's it like starting your own Fashion Design line - you might wonder? She shares the trials and tribulations of creating a fashion line that is manufactured in her country of origin and keeping the price point reasonable. She shares some of her “ahh ha” moments about what it really costs to have clothing made and how flighty people in the industry can be. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs. Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores. But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level. Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color: Fashion designers worry all the time about how to protect their ideas. Unfortunately? Our industry doesn’t get much protection or have much control when it comes to knockoffs. Grassroots brand Solstice Intimates has had their lingerie and loungewear ripped off before, both by independent designers and large trendy stores. But the most recent incident with AliExpress took things to a whole new level. Not only did AliExpress knockoff their ruffle short design. The seller stole images from the Solstice website to use for the AliExpress listing. The only change they made was the color: In this mini episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I chatted with Kat from Solstice to hear more about what exactly happened and how they handled the AliExpress knockoff situation. She talks about how it all went down, how they protect themselves from other copycats, and how they’ve built a loyal following through exceptional customer service. Resources & People mentioned Solstice Intimates Solstice on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I'm excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice. Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on industry terminology (samples vs prototypes), made to order fashion, trend research jobs, and textile design. (If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.) Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode! On the difference between prototypes and samples, from Samari [01:36]: I was interested in knowing what is the difference between a prototype and a sample? On how to break into fashion if you don't have a design background, from Antonio [07:08]: I currently have a bachelor's degree in business and a year of work under my belt as a buyers assistant. I wouldn't say I have a background in design but I do draw very often especially on my iPad and just started learning Adobe Illustrator with the help of your videos. Do you think it would be worth it to go back to school for fashion design. I find I am not qualified for the design jobs I want and I am not sure how to get in the industry without a design background. On getting a job as a trend forecaster, from Stamatina [10:18]: I have an idea and wanted to know your opinion/feedback. How amazing would be if I can find a job that is trend forecasting? Of course, I do love designing and I am getting ideas for my portfolio but I think ultimately - trend forecasting would be the next big thing I would love to do. I am trying to google information, and the requirements and even if companies are hiring. It's not so easy to find as, there are companies who do this specifically out there and are worldwide. Could you offer any feedback? On creating a "made to order" fashion brand, from Breanna [13:31]: My name is Breanna and I am the owner and designer of Bre Nikole. I design pants for tall women, or at least I want to. I'm struggling to find a manufacturer/cut sew factory as well as funding for production. I've building my brand for some years and I'm ready to put product out. Until I have the right funding, I was considering doing "Made to Order". What do I need to consider for myself and customers when doing "Made to Order"? On learning textile design, from Karly [18:25]: I subscribe to and love your podcast! And I signed up for your Illustrator class, but can't seem to find the time to learn it. A little about me: I am a working mom with you 2 baby boys.... I run a brick & mortar family business in which my favorite part is that I have fairly high end coastal boutique. I recently launched a website which I am growing slowly due to the fact that I am a one woman show who does everything myself. I am also "an artist" with lots of creative energy that I don't always get to use. My dream has always been to launch my own label that I can sell in my boutique and on the website. I want to design my own prints to digitally print. I find myself always wanting to take a first step towards this, but not sure what to do. Must I first learn Illustrator so that I can design my prints myself, or is there a way around this? I am considering hiring a consultant like I heard on one of your podcasts to help me get started, do you think this is a good idea? I have zero time, but feeling like I need to follow my dream asap! Thank you for reading and THANK YOU for all that you do to support all of the people with fashion dreams!! Resources mentioned in this episode: Interview with Exclusively Kristen: How to Launch Your Fashion Line with No Experience Creating a repeating pattern on paper (no computer needed!) If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Do you have ideas, big ideas that can change the way consumers use a specific fashion product? Do you spend all your time drawing up designs, getting feedback from friends and family and thinking of new ways to create ease of use for your consumer? Do you spend time wondering how you can build a profitable brand with no experience? Fashion retail is a tough industry to get noticed in, but you know you have the perfect product that is missing from the fashion market and your just not sure how to get it there. You can make it happen for yourself! Taking a design and building a profitable fashion brand around it, is within reach as long as you're ready to take on the day to day business tasks of building a profitable fashion brand. This is exactly what Claire Fuller did when she realized that UK retailers were not selling the perfect baby changing bag she was looking for. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast we will talk about her 10 year whirlwind story of building a profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience. In the interview (which I know you’ll love) we cover: Conceptualizing your design ideas with no experience Compiling customer feedback to ensure that her baby bag was exactly what moms needed Working with a fashion seamstress/designer to bring designs to life Why she decided to self fund her first retail orders The importance of consumer markets/shows Working through distribution of her fashion baby bag Following regulations for making a children's product Her strategies for researching the marketplace The importance of taking classes and seeking guidance from people who have experience in the fashion industry How she realized it was time to sell her brand and figuring out the perfect person to be a partner Why she registered the brand name and trade name in China as well as the USA Claire Fuller is an inventor and designer of the Babymule. She sells her brand in the UK and on amazon. Like you, Claire started with only an idea but had no experience on how to turn it into a profitable baby bag fashion brand. Claire started her career by working as a production manager for a local sculpture artist. This job prepared her for the design process of her baby bag because it required a lot of research and problem solving to get to that end goal. But nothing could completely prepare her for this major adventure she was about to embark on. She had just had her first baby and was in search of the perfect baby bag but she couldn't seem to find exactly what she was looking for. So she embarked on the journey of designing and producing her own profitable baby bag fashion brand with no experience. What are the ins and outs of starting your own fashion brand? She talks about everything from the design startup phase all the way to the production and distribution phase. She also shares some of the burdens that rain down once you have hit a peak in your business and you can no longer run this thing on your own. Resources & People mentioned BabyMule Website Mintel Reports Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes – it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

You have had this full time corporate fashion job for several years. You’re comfortable where you're at, with benefits, income and stability. But you also have this “passion project” that you started as a creative outlet and it has turned into a fashion startup business. You spend all your free time designing, making, creating and problem solving in your craft. But now you’re stuck. This fashion startup business has begun to flourish, your process has streamlined and your passion has grown and yet you’re still working your 9-5 fashion job. Figuring out where to go from here can be rather unnerving. This is exactly what Jackie Ayres from Dyetology did. I am so excited to share with you how she QUIT HER DAY JOB FOR HER FASHION STARTUP BUSINESS and made it work. In the interview (Which I know you’ll love) we cover: The journey to finding your passion in the fashion industry Turning your passion project into a profitable fashion business Finding the energy to “do it all” when running your fashion startup Why you should allow yourself to dream How she used her corporate job to fund her fashion startup business Feeling at peace with quitting your corporate fashion job How to leave corporate life and move into entrepreneurship Her thoughts on “doing the research” for yourself Finding a mentor or support group established in the fashion industry Why you have to ask yourself “do you love it” because no one else will Jackie Ayres from Dyetology hand dyes textiles that she turns into scarves, shawls, skirts and tops. She spent 3 years organically growing her startup fashion business all while raising her son and working her full time corporate fashion job. Using this overlapping time to really learn what she liked about the hand dying industry and teaching herself what was needed to make it into a profitable business. Like you, Jackie dreamed about her startup while working her corporate full time job. She spent 14 years designing in the corporate world honing her talents and learning form the best in the industry. While climbing the corporate ladder she felt like her job was void of the kind of creative outlet that would leave her feeling passionate. So she started hand dyeing textiles out of her home and soon learned this was a passion project she wanted to turn into a full time career. More than just a designer - how she would love to help you! She loves to be transparent with her customers, followers and any one who asks for her advice about how she got to this point in her career that she is at. As long has you have the drive and have done the background research she is more than willing to help answer any questions you have about this scary transition from corporate life to small business owner. She hopes to break down some of the barriers that most of us face in the fashion industry when it comes to sharing helpful information. Resources & people mentioned Dyetology Website Dyetology on Instagram Dyetology on Pinterest Dyetology on Twitter Dyetology on Facebook Fiverr Upwork Shopify Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

The thought of being a jet setting international fashion designer working around the world from London to Shanghai and Hong Kong to Istanbul sounds like a fantasy life. But for Carla Louise Stout, it's been her reality for the last 15 years. Carla got her start the way most designers do with formal training at fashion school. But it wasn't easy for her to break into the industry. After 20 interviews and some unattractive offers to "work for free to gain experience!", she finally landed her first entry level fashion design job. Carla takes us through a day in the life of an international fashion designer, and also shares how she built her career from the ground up. Her fashion career growth strategies were so simple that she didn't even know she was using them, but the one simple thing she did almost guaranteed there was always another job or opportunity waiting for her. In this fashion designer interview, you'll learn: The one edit you can make to your fashion portfolio to help you land your first entry level job (even if you don't have any experience) What it's like to travel the world working as an international fashion designer How keeping in touch with people will 10x your career success The one simple thing Carla did to make fashion jobs "fall in her lap" over and over How to take a year off from your fashion career and still make sure brands see you as "relevant" and "on trend" The hardest parts of working internationally, being away from family, and trying to learn a new language The difference between working for suppliers vs brands, and what to do when you get pigeonholed The reality of being a fashion designer and how much time you actually spend designing A fashion student portfolio will only get you so far...here's what you need to do instead The work you do as a fashion design student tends to be very conceptual, when in reality, most brands are looking for commercial work. Carla found it really hard to get her first fashion design job with her student portfolio and after 20+ interviews was only getting offers to "work for free to gain experience!" A pretty crummy situation many fashion designers find themselves in. In our interview, she explains the ONE edit she made to her portfolio that finally got her an entry level job. How keeping in touch people made jobs "fall" in Carla's lap It sounds simple, but every job Carla's ever gotten was because she kept in touch with people. Whether it was a friends from past jobs, a fashion recruiter who she built a relationship with, or a former boss, all of Carla's opportunities came from her network. To her, it was natural to stay connected with people. But for many, it's not always that easy. In our interview she shares how she maintains industry relationships that turn into job offers, and how you can too. The life of an international fashion designer Working internationally sounds glamorous, but it's not without its challenges. Carla shares funny stories, hard times, and her day to day experiences that she lived while working in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and most recently Istanbul for Mavi Jeans. Resources mentioned in this episode: Carla's Website Carla on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes Subscribing on YouTube Subscribing on Stitcher Subscribing on Google Play Subscribing on Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I'm excited to be back with another mailbag episode to give you fashion design career advice. Once a month, I answer your Q's on the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. This month, I'll be giving my best advice on freelancing, how to gain industry experience, and quitting your job. (If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.) Here are the fashion design career advice questions I answer in this mailbag episode! On if it's possible to gain fashion industry experience freelancing...if you don't have any experience, from Afroditi [02:06]: How could someone start as a freelancer without much industry experience? Is it just really hard as you state it or completely impossible? Are there any ways to start doing things that just require specific skills you could gain from studying or practicing? On how to charge your freelance clients for traveling to factories, from Sally [10:42]: I have been asked by one of my freelance accounts to go on factory visit in Asia. I was just curious if you have done this and how you charged the account. Travel expenses and airfare would be covered but I am thinking about a daily rate as well. I am paid by them hourly. Want to make sure I am thinking of everything. Thoughts? On transitioning from a contemporary brand in NYC to a luxury house in Europe, from Andrea [16:19]: Do you have any advice on how an NYC designer can find work in Europe at a luxury house? I have 6 years of experience in advanced contemporary womenswear and am looking for an exciting opportunity abroad to make the move to Europe. On when to know if it's a good time to quit your job, from Nicole [22:00]: I am the only designer and tech designer for a manufacturing company. I am the first and only one they have hired. The company is experiencing a TON of growing pains and my boss has been less than cordial. The company is also an hour and a half from my house, does not offer any benefits, and seems shady sometimes. There are 5 other design companies waaaay closer to my house and I landed an interview (YAY!) but I am actually nervous to get the job! I am afraid to abandon the work I have started here, I am almost finished with the development cycle I started. I am reaching out to ask if I should feel guilty? how much do I owe this company that hasn't really treated me the best but has given me a great career opportunity even if the job itself has been crazy (not normal fashion job crazy) most days. If and when I find a new job, how do I rip this band-aid off? On general fashion design career advice, from Sam [26:29]: I wondered what advise you could give me. I've always loved design, something about it makes my insides excited and there is nothing else quite like that feeling. I went to school for fashion but didn't finish -i got confused half way through as i started to really love furniture design and textiles and interior design. they all inspire me. At home i feel like i can do it all on my own, i like working with my hands making clothes and accessories but i've never had too much experience outside of that. I keep working on small projects but not finishing, i don't know if i'm afraid to fail or I need to start from the more technical side. This e-mail is a little bit a mess and thats kind of what my life feels like but I would love any feedback you could give. Resources mentioned in this episode: Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelance Fashion Designer Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Fashion Portfolio How to get freelance fashion design experience on UpWork If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

One area of the fashion industry that unites us all together is marketing - getting the right message about our products to the right people. On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I interview Robyn Spady, a lifelong handweaver and fashion industry professional with over 17 years of experience. Throughout our engaging conversation, we discuss the 4 main pillars of fashion marketing: product, price, position, and promotion. Robyn shares her secrets to successfully networking with industry pros and how to handle hearing “no” in challenging conversations. Her advice will surely help you approach fashion marketing the right way. It’s always easier to grow from small success than recover from large mistakes. Start your business off on the right foot by giving this podcast episode your full attention! Outline of This Episode [3:45] Robyn Spady, textile expert and fashion professional, is my guest for this episode [5:50] Robyn shares how she got started in handweaving and why she enjoys this niche market of fashion design [16:55] Overcoming intimidation while networking in your niche market [24:26] Learn to understand the “no’s” you receive in fashion design [32:55] The importance of marketing to the right people [42:28] Navigating through the 4 P’s in fashion marketing [56:51] Keeping your brand fresh and examining buyer/wearer demographics [1:03:24] Here’s a tool that helps gain your brand exposure Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating! Use these tips to secure great connections Networking in the fashion industry shouldn’t feel like a burden. It should always be about connecting passionate people to others in a shared community. You can leverage people and their extensive knowledge without taking advantage of them, and reaching out with questions could lead to career-changing conversations. Robyn shares main tips for networking success on this episode. Here they are! Do your homework on potential contacts Be prepared and respectful when initiating a conversation Focus your questions on one specific topic - not the entire industry If you receive a “no” or “not right now,” understand the reasoning behind that decision Fashion marketing is about 1 thing - communicating with the right customer The goal at the heart of fashion marketing is communicating your brand’s message and products to the right buyer at the right time. Robyn encourages all fashion designers to be laser-focused on the right type of customer. She explains, “If you market to everybody, you’ll miss everybody.” Many fashion designers fear missing out on sales if they have a target audience that’s too focused. But that belief simply isn’t true! Robyn believes that “When you meet a customer’s need beautifully and better than everyone else, the result will be more business than you know what to do with!” Don’t fall into the trap of creating products for every demographic in every size. Learn from Robyn’s extensive experience and develop your targeted fashion marketing strategy. Check out this episode for all the details. Here’s how to navigate the “4 P’s” in fashion marketing Defining the “4 P’s” in fashion marketing for your brand will give you a launchpad for future marketing initiatives. Robyn shares a few key ideas on each of the 4 and wants you to understand them. Check it out! Product - Understand what your market is looking for regarding trends and functionality Price - Know that overpricing and underpricing are two sides to the same dangerous sword. Know the value of your product and price it accordingly - people will want to pay! Position - Your position establishes the image/identity of your brand in the minds of your customers. Encouraging your buyers to be educated in the eco-conscious decisions behind your products or the fair-trade practices are all part of positioning. Promotion - Promotion answers the question, “How will you spread the word about your brand and your vision?” Consider buyer vs wearer demographics to increase sales and keep products fresh Continuing with her belief that no brand can serve the needs of every customer, Robyn wants every listener to consider buyer vs wearer demographics when designing. She points out that the wearer isn’t always the buyer (for example, grandparents purchasing clothing for a grandchild), and that special considerations in marketing and design need to be made accordingly. Rotating through various fabrics, colors, cuts, etc. will keep your products fresh in the eyes of buyers. Local boutiques are always searching for new and exciting pieces - your brand needs to evolve as buying interests shift. To hear more about how to keep your products on the racks, be sure to listen to this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer podcast. Resources & People Mentioned Heddlecraft magazine PODCAST: “Don’t Keep Your Day Job” Ep 48, “How an Amazing Eco-Friendly Clothing Brand Was Built on the Passion of One Woman” Help a Reporter Out website Connect with Robyn Robyn’s website Em

Few events are as exciting as the Massif Fashion Week held in Denver, Colorado every May. I attended the events this year and interviewed 9 different guests to capture their insights, anecdotes, and advice from the 2018 event. This episode is full of stories from executive planners, fashion designers, event photographers, and aspiring young fashion professionals. It’s an unfiltered glimpse into the heart of Massif, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Be sure to listen! Outline of This Episode [0:43] Behind the scenes at Denver’s Massif Fashion Week [3:29] Kevin Alexander, co-producer and director of Massif Fashion Week [9:59] Luis Gonzales, hair stylist, on training new hairdressers for runway looks [15:03] Carloz Bryant on promoting the Massif brand through photography [18:51] Brittany Sconier on turning her ideas into a runway-ready piece [25:12] Stephanie Carlson on body positivity and fashion for sizes 8-18 [29:46] Julia Rhoden on working with local artists and finding her true focus [33:41] Chelsea Ma, winner of Project Runway Junior Season 2 [37:00] Geoffrey Mac on the differences between showing in NYC vs Denver [42:24] Qi Zhou on balancing fashion and motherhood What is the Massif Fashion Week? The Massif Fashion Week event is Denver’s “most exclusive, buyer-based runway showcase focused on high-end fashion design, quality construction, and ready-to-wear.” Not only does it serve as a platform for designers of all ages and backgrounds, it’s also bringing attention to the Denver fashion scene. Throughout this podcast, you’ll hear from the co-producer and director for the Week as well as many people working to ensure the events run smoothly. You'll also hear from new and veteran designers as they explain why they love seeing their pieces worn on the runway. Massif Fashion Week is one of the few fashion events based in a photography and film studio, and it brings together an incredible mix of designers, students, models, and buyers. This episode is one not to be missed! Denver’s Massif Fashion Week is great for designers of all ages and backgrounds Larger cities are often famously tied to high-end fashion. Think of NYC and LA. But Massif Fashion Week in Denver is evolving into a must-attend event for designers. It’s logistically easier to attend and more financially feasible for designers just starting out. On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer, you’ll hear insights from both a designer fresh out of high school and a veteran designer who has had multiple showcases at Massif. You don’t want to miss hearing them tell their passionate stories, so be sure to listen. Designers love seeing their creations come to life during live events All of my guests for this episode explained that they love seeing their creations come to life during the Massif Fashion Week. From the early design stages to final fittings before hitting the runway, it all culminated during the week’s events. My designer interviewees describe the joy they feel when a buyer finds a perfect piece or when a collection exceeds everyone’s expectations. That’s what makes live events like Massif so incredible. You don’t want to miss hearing these stories first hand, so be sure to listen. You need THESE skills to successfully work fashion week events In order to successfully work at fashion weeks, you have to be comfortable in high-stress, high-anxiety situations. There are countless moving pieces that must be organized in order for events to run smoothly. My guests on this episode explain how stylists, photographers, managers, and designers all work together through the organized chaos to execute an excellent event. They exclaim again and again that even though it’s hectic, it’s 100% worth it. To hear how they gracefully work through the stress and how you can learn to do the same, be sure to listen to this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. Resources & People Mentioned Massif Fashion Week website Follow Massif Fashion Week on Facebook Connect with Kevin Alexander Email Kevin Connect with Luis Gonzales Luis’ webpage Email Luis Connect with Carloz Bryant Carloz’s website Follow Carloz on Instagram: @CarlozBryant Connect with Brittany Sconier Follow Brittany on Instagram: @britachebybri Brittany’s website Connect with Stephanie Carlson Stephanie’s website Follow Stephanie on Facebook Follow Stephanie on Twitter Follow Stephanie on Instagram: @StephanieCarlsonDesigns Connect with Julia Rhoden Julia’s website Follow Julia on Facebook Follow Julia on Instagram: @JuliaRhodenDesign Connect with Chelsea Ma Chelsea’s website Follow Chelsea on Twitter Follow Chelsea on Facebook Follow Chelsea on Instagram: @Chelsea_Ma Connect with Geoffrey Mac Geoffrey’s website Follow Geoffrey on Facebook Follow Geoffrey on Instagram: @GeoffreyMac Connect with Qi Zhou Qi’s webpage Follow Qi on Facebook Follow Qi on Instagram: @designer.qi.zhou [email protected] Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes,

Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I started the monthly mailbag episode to the SFD podcast! Once a month, I take the best questions from listeners and answer them on the show. (If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at podcast [at] sewheidi [dot]com for consideration.) Here are the questions I answer in this mailbag episode! On balancing working full-time and promoting yourself as a fashion freelancer, from Kayla [02:42]: I would love to freelance, but am finding it difficult to work 35-40 hours a week and promote myself as a freelance designer. How did you juggle working full time and getting your start up running?? On doing freelance fashion work for competitive brands, from Dani [07:35]: I’m trying to narrow my niche into athletic wear — how do you freelance for multiple alike brands without crossing the line of conflicting interests? Or do you suggest to only work for one brand at a time? For example: I probably wouldn’t work for LuLuLemon (the dream) and for Nike (also the dream) at the same time. On freelancing remote for fashion brands, from PKP [11:43]: I have only one doubt regarding freelancing in Fashion. You had talked a lot about meeting the right people, in you "Fashion Portfolio" guide. Since I am from India, and as far as surface pattern design is concerned, I have worked with print studios in the USA and also in Europe. I have not met any of them in person, but still manage to work with them.I found all these clients with the help of email pitches. I would just give them a link to my portfolio website, is it possible to do the same with Fashion? Will companies I pitch to, be willing to hire a freelance designer without a personal meeting? On finding a design job if you've been out of school for a while, from Nancy [17:11]: I studied fashion design for four years I have my bachelors but I graduated 2 years ago I've been stuck and I'm scared I'll never be able to get myself out of this hole. I never want to give up on my dreams but now at 23 with a cashier job my dreams seem so far. All I want to do is find a job in the fashion industry doing what I love to do which is design. One day I plan on owning my own clothing company but where do I start should I go back to school which is what I'm thinking of. Honestly I'm scared stuck and lost I just want to make my degree worth my time and money. On the necessity of PLM experience for fashion jobs, from Lavendor [22:36]: Could you speak to the importance of having working knowledge of PLM ( Centric and Flex) as it has become critical when applying for Assistant to Senior level design positions...? On brand expectations for sketching fashion flats in Illustrator, from Rosella [27:52]: Is it common to draw Cads without references (photo) or mannequin? For an interview, me and the other candidates had to draw a leather jacket from scratch! Having only the jacket itself in front of us. And then, we had to load a check/plaid pattern in a shirt with Photoshop. Is it useful to know how to render the textures also? On breaking into fashion if you don't have any professional industry experience, from Hannah [34:29]: I basically did the opposite of you where I went to school for Textile and Apparel Management but found myself as a graphic designer as that has always been a hobby of mine. I have recently been missing the fashion world but still love my design jobs. How do you think I should go about combining the two. Any suggestions or tips? Resources mentioned in this episode: Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelance Fashion Designer Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Fashion Portfolio If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to podcast [at] sewheidi [dot] com for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Fashion media coverage is a challenging area for any fashion business, but Lorraine Sanders has perfected the process after years of working as a journalist. On this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer, she discusses how to tackle fashion media and press on your own, without the use of a PR firm. She explains 4 key areas that are essential for effective media coverage that positively impacts your bottom line. It’s an episode that will surely get you thinking, and it’s one not to be missed! Outline of This Episode [0:45] Lorraine Sanders is my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer [4:45] Lorraine shares the stories behind Spirit of 608, FEST brands, and PressDope [10:09] The importance of creating opportunities for yourself in your career [24:13] Build your network of connections before asking for fashion media coverage [31:35] Answer THIS question for more successful fashion media coverage [42:04] Set your media coverage goals and maintain your connections [55:00] This is what it looks like to work with Lorraine’s company, PressDope #1 - Build a solid list of potential publications and writers One drawback to not utilizing a PR firm in fashion media is not having the credibility of the agency to back up your “ask.” Before you can ask a journalist to cover your product or brand, you first need to identify prospective publications that fit into your niche market. Start by building a solid list of those highly targeted people. Building a relationship with potential writers should be your priority long before asking them for coverage. Then, determine what content you’re going to pitch to which writers. Keep in mind that you should always be asking yourself, “What do I want to get out of this press coverage?” If you’re not clear with your fashion media publication goals, you’ll waste time and money without seeing any positive impacts on your bottom line. #2 - Help writers answer this question, “Will my readers think more highly of my publication after publishing this content?” Every writer wants to feel like they’ve “discovered” you. Publications are always looking for the “next best thing” and they want to ensure that the stories they publish are adding value to their publication. When you’re going after highly-targeted writers, if you’re a good fit for the publication, the appropriate fashion media coverage will follow. If the content you’re pitching helps a writer answer the main question of “Will my readers think more highly of my publication after publishing this content?” they’re more likely to focus on your product or brand. To hear more insights on why focusing on the right content is critical to fashion media success, don’t miss this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. #3 - Create credibility for your brand, even if you’re not working with a PR agency Even if you choose to pursue media coverage on your own, without the use of a PR agency, you CAN create credibility for your small brand! This is achieved by focusing on a number of key areas: Professional, on-brand social media accounts Publishing on third-party platforms such as Medium Having engaged digital followers Publishing your founder’s story, creating quality original content, and demonstrating that you’re active in the industry can also show potential writers and publications that your brand is a force to be reckoned with and deserves media coverage. Don’t miss even more tips, listen now! #4 - Follow up and maintain your fashion media coverage connections It’s simply not enough to have a few great press coverage events or product launches. It’s essential to maintain your relationships with fashion media contacts in between major quarterly events or product unveilings. Continue the conversation with your hard-earned connections! Consider smaller events such as minor product launches once per month, and don’t forget to send out thank-you notes for previous media pieces! If you plan your entire fashion media coverage process months in advance, you’ll keep your schedule and your sanity in order. Don’t miss the rest of this educational conversation with Lorraine Sanders on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. Resources & People Mentioned Spirit of 608 podcast PressDope website Under Clothes podcast Medium platform Google Alerts Pocket app Feedly tool Narro tool Connect with Lorraine Lorraine’s personal website Follow Lorraine on Instagram: @SpiritOf608 Connect with Lorraine on LinkedIn Follow the Spirit of 608 on Facebook Follow the Spirit of 608 on Twitter: @SpiritOf608 Follow Lorraine on Twitter: @LorraineSanders [email protected] Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, YouTube or Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

You’ve probably heard about the value of getting to know your customer. It helps you understand what they need and learn how you can solve their problems. And whether you’re an up and coming brand, a freelance fashion designer, or looking for a job in the fashion industry, you have a customer. It’s whoever is paying you for a product, services performed or work done. It is a buyer (shopper), your client, or your boss. It is the brand you work for, or the one you’re dying to work for. No matter what kind of work you do, the priceless advice of “know thy customer” is something you can’t ignore in the fashion industry. And if you look closely, this is a theme that comes up over and over in many of the SFD interviews. But the problem? Sometimes really subtle and easy to miss exactly how these guests are “getting to know their customer” and how it’s vital to their success. Because as excited as you may be about your fashion designs, it’s the end customer that will determine your success. Which is why in the first ever mini “podlet” episode, Robyn and I discuss 5 episodes and examples of how this priceless advice can be applied to your work in fashion. Now, Robyn and I plan to do more of these mini “podlet” episodes focusing on valuable lessons and themes we see coming up over and over in the show. Before we do that, I’d love to get your input. Email me at {podcast at sewheidi dot com} and let me know, what did you think about this format? Is there anything you would like to see done differently? Your feedback helps make the show better, so don’t be a stranger and reach out anytime :). Episodes referenced & examples of “know thy customer” Episode 4, Freelance Designer Marissa Borelli Episode 12, Colleen Monroe with Untucked Workwear Episode 17, Anna Livermore with Vmora Episode 39, Kristen Allen with Exclusively Kristen Episode 44, Timm Smith with Voormi Connect with cohost Robyn: Learn more about Robyn and her publication, Heddlecraft Magazine. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

The fashion job search process is not one to be taken lightly. Thankfully, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is Shellie Simpson, the Fashion Division Talent Director at Atrium Staffing. Shellie and her team at Atrium are creating a more personable relationship between top talent candidates and recruiters. She shares her 4 best practices for aspiring fashion professionals, and her insights will surely make your job search process easier and more enjoyable. She also explains the common freelance/employee dilemma, how to get started with a talent recruiter, and the one area that should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews. Shellie shares this advice in a transparent and honest way that you don’t want to miss. Listen now! Outline of This Episode [0:45] Shellie Simpson, Talent Director, Fashion Division, at Atrium Staffing, is my guest for this episode [3:52] How does someone get started with a recruiter? [5:27] Best advice for presenting your portfolio in an effective way [14:52] What works and what stands out with resumes [21:32] Do these things to prepare for your interviews [26:07] Avoiding the freelance vs. employee trap in fashion design [33:31] Can you break into the industry without a lot of work experience? [38:37] Creative ways to gain experience without a fashion design degree [41:22] Shellie’s best advice for older job seekers [49:54] This skill should NOT be the biggest highlight in post-internship interviews [55:05] Shellie’s final words of advice for fashion industry professionals Shellie’s best advice for presenting your portfolio in an effective way A fashion professional’s most effective tool is their portfolio - a creative display of your most effective ideas and a showcase of your design process. Shellie explains that interviewers want to see your work in Adobe Creative Suite programs and how you complete your design process. It’s also critical to demonstrate through your portfolio where you draw your inspiration from. Regarding the size of your portfolio, you can highlight your capabilities without overwhelming your interviewer. Including every project since your fashion school days may not be necessary - ensure you tailor your portfolio specifically for every company. Hear the full details on why portfolios can be your biggest asset when completed well by listening to this episode. . Resumes receive 6 seconds worth of attention - make yours stand out! Resumes go through trends, just as every other segment in the fashion industry. The current best practice is to keep it simple! Shellie explains that many interviewers favor easy to scan, bullet-point format resumes. Results-driven resume language can also set you apart from the competition. Go beyond just a list of tasks that you performed! Be sure to explain if one of your designs became a best-seller, or if you increased revenue by a certain percentage. Shellie also explains the importance of letting your recruiter and/or interviewer know about any gaps in employment that may be on your resume. It will come up in conversation, and it’s important to explain why the gap is present and what you were working on during that time period. Remember, the average interviewer only spends 6 seconds per resume, so yours needs to highlight your best achievements in a succinct, engaging way. Perfect these interviewing skills and land your dream job! After you’ve worked with a recruiter, fine-tuned your resume, and perfected your portfolio the final step is to interview in-person with an employer. If you chose to work with a recruiter, they will help prepare you for the interview because they know the client. It’s essential to research the company and know their product well before walking through the door. You should also study your own resume ahead of time. Develop ways to explain your resume in an engaging, storytelling manner. Consider bringing printed tech packs, swatches, knits, or other physical items to supplement your portfolio and resume. Shellie explains, “Whatever physical items you decide to bring, they should show how you’re always drawing inspiration from the world around you.” Keeping everything organizing, being authentic and relatable, and asking questions are sure to allow you the greatest chances of success in your in-person interviews. For more tips, don’t miss this episode. This one step is key for success in your post-graduation fashion job search The most important takeaway from this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer is the importance of internships. Shellie says that “They’re so key to getting a position in the industry, and they’ll help elevate you moving forward.” Internships completed while in school and post-graduation will allow you to build your network and work on “real world” projects. Even if they are unpaid opportunities, don’t immediately shy away from them. The academic credit and resume-building experience alone will put you light years ahead of students who hav

Many of you have loads of Q's about working in fashion...and I know it can be hard to find answers. Maybe you don't know any industry experts to ask. Maybe your coworkers are tight lipped and not willing to share their secrets. Maybe you just don't even know where to go. Which is why I'm adding a monthly mailbag episode to the SFD podcast! Once a month, I'll take the best questions from listeners and answer them on the show. (If you want to submit your Q, email it to me anytime at [email protected] for consideration.) Here are the questions I answer in the first mailbag episode! On getting started in fashion, from Bridget [02:20]: Do you think studying under the major fashion design in college would be a waste of time & if not will my minimum knowledge make it unsuccessful for me? On getting more work as a freelancer, from Eirini [07:25]: How do you sell your freelance services at social media such as instagram without coming across too pushy and get clients? On the logistics of being a freelancer, from Kim [13:40]: How are you able to do the product development side (fit comments, tech packs, vendor communication) as a freelancer? The last company I worked at we would have meetings daily and go over issues altogether etc.. Do you contact the factories and update the client as needed on a specified basis? On protecting yourself as a freelance fashion designer, from Elvie [17:52]: I’d like to get your advice on customers who will use your service once and then seem to disappear and not contact you again. I’ve had a few customers mainly just starting/ new businesses who approach me, have me work for them on a project maybe even two, get as much info, tech packs and my supplier contacts to then not contact me again. I know I do a great job for them (as their feedback is always quite positive) but I feel like they kinda use me just to get the contacts for manufacturers or suppliers. Is there a way I can protect myself from these kinds of situations? Has this ever happened to you? On launching your fashion brand without any money, from Oge [25:43]: My question is everybody you have invited to speak will always say that you need so much money to start a fashion line, as an immigrant and a fashion design student am really striving Hard to make it in the fashion industry, I have a blog, am a fashion stylist and now lunching my Online store and is very very difficult, can you please discuss on how to start small process and methods? Example I design my own t shirts and patterns and do the whole sewing myself because I can’t afford manufactural now am i doing the right thing or not? On balancing fair prices and fair profits for your fashion brand, from Nicola [32:16]: Many people I've spoken to advise that it's best to talk about what benefits the product offers consumers as a way of justifying pricing, which is great marketing advice. However, people want a quality garment that doesn't cost the earth too. What's the ethos behind fair pricing while still making a profit???? Resources mentioned in this episode: Ellerali on starting your fashion brand without a lot of money Exclusively Kristen on launching a line without loads of cash (or experience) Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelance Fashion Designer If you enjoyed this episode and have questions you want answered, email them to [email protected] for consideration. I'll pick the best ones and include them in the monthly mailbag show. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Creating a direct-to-consumer (DTC) business in the fashion industry isn’t easy. Learn from serial entrepreneur and new fashion designer Allison Floam on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer - I promise it’s an episode you don’t want to miss. Allison shares the story behind her latest business venture, Bello Belts. The company specializes in unique, handcrafted belts for women and men. Allison is using her diverse background in business and finance to craft a unique company that is breaking molds in the fashion industry and innovating in their own way. Hear about the importance of selecting the right suppliers, how you can balance direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales opportunities, and the top 4 tips for aspiring fashion design entrepreneurs. Listen now! Outline of This Episode [0:43] My guest for this episode is Allison Floam, and she shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur [3:44] How Allison got started and why she chose NYC-based production for Bello Belts [12:55] Securing the right suppliers is key to a new fashion business [18:30] Allison reflects on the past year of Bello Belts business [27:30] Where did the funding come from for Bello Builts & how they secured customers [33:05] Moving into wholesale opportunities as well as DTC avenues [41:47] The best 4 tips for aspiring entrepreneur fashion designers The benefits of choosing local production vs overseas options Allison understood the importance of flexibility and collaboration when she was selecting production companies for Bello Belts. Since she didn’t have any fashion design experience prior to starting this company 1 ½ years ago, she wanted to keep the production close to home. Bello Belts offers countless combinations of belt straps and buckles in various sizes and widths, and Allison wanted to be involved in the entire production process. She explains that “It’s hard to maintain control over a diverse product line with overseas-based production.” That’s why she chose to keep production based in NYC. She’s been extremely happy with her production so far, and you can learn from her journey. Don’t miss this episode for all the details. Strategic areas to look at when securing new supplier partnerships Selecting your suppliers for a new product is an essential step in creating a direct-to-consumer business. Without utilizing the best suppliers possible, your product quality and entire business will suffer. Allison has AMAZING suppliers that she’s very thankful for. She went to online guides, visited stores and factories, and gravitated towards the warm, welcoming people who were understanding of entrepreneurs. She urges other fashion entrepreneurs to trust their instincts when it comes to talking with potential suppliers. Always go with the people who are comfortable with collaboration and those who can answer your questions about materials, sales opportunities, and other details they specialize in. Handling the challenges of selling DTC as well as through wholesale opportunities Even though Allison started Bello Belts with the intention of being solely a direct-to-consumer business, she realized that wholesale opportunities may be a great avenue for growth in the future. With the first year of business under her team’s belt, they began to understand the key balances between having many SKU items, inventory, and production times. Once they refined the online selling process, Allison and her team began looking at other opportunities to get the Bello Belts name into the industry. That’s when Allison discovered the immense value in having customers see Bello Belts items in person. The product quality and value shone through! During the various in-person events and pop-up shops that Allison hosted she really enjoyed selling the product face-to-face. As Bello Belts moves forward they are examining wholesale opportunities to supplement the original direct-to-consumer business model, and you can learn from their journey. Be sure to give this episode your full attention. The best 4 tips for aspiring entrepreneur fashion designers Allison has years of entrepreneurship experience that she shares with listeners on this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. She explains 4 essential tips that you need to hear: Keep experimenting! Surround yourself with people who support your weaknesses Be vulnerable in asking for help Be obsessively focused on identifying WHO your customer is The most successful direct-to-consumer business entrepreneurs aren’t afraid of utilizing other team members to make the best team possible. They innovate on their own terms, pay attention to what’s working in the business and adjust accordingly. For more insights, be sure to give this episode your full attention. Connect with Allison Connect with Allison on LinkedIn Bello Belts website Follow Bello Belts on Twitter Subscribe to Successful Fashion Designer oniTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, YouTube or Spotify Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Successful Fashion Designer podcast celebrates ONE YEAR 🎉🎉🎉! It seems like just yesterday that having a podcast was something we just "talked" about...but here we are, 49 episodes and a year later, and we have a podcast. The feedback has been through the roof, and starting this show has been one of the best things I've ever done. Not only do I get to meet and chat with amazing industry experts, I get to share all of these conversations, insights and gold nuggets of advice with YOU. Thank you for listening each week. Thank you for the continued support and feedback. Thank you for being here to support me on this journey. Without each and every one of you, none of this would happen. To thank you personally, and to give you a more personal glimpse into *my* journey as a designer, for episode 50 we decided to turn the tables. In this episode, Marc (my husband) will interview me. Hear more about my (shoddy) beginnings as a designer, my best advice for starting your brand (even if you don't have funding like me), the surprising industry lessons I've learned from a year of interviews, and a handful of funny, embarrassing and downright bizarre stories about the last 15 years of my life working in fashion. We had a great time recording this episode, and I know you'll enjoy listening. Resources & People Mentioned Episode #1 with Bjorn Bengtsson Episode #17 with VMora Episode #41 with Tricia of Hello World Fashion Memories of starting my Funklectic brand Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Contact Heidi: podcast (at) SuccessfulFashionDesigner.com Few fashion professionals are as passionate and knowledgeable as Leila Jalili, my guest for this episode of The Successful Fashion Designer. She left her positions with global brands such as Under Armour and 686 Technical Apparel to focus on her career as a freelance creative consultant specializing in the design, direction, and development of performance apparel and technical outerwear for women, men, and youth. Throughout this inspiring conversation Leila shares key insights into how new designers can ensure their fashion portfolios stand out from the masses. She explains how to break into new markets by making opportunities for yourself and has an in-depth understanding of what employers are looking for in new hires. Be sure to give this interview your full attention and share it with aspiring designers - your career will thank you. Outline of This Episode [0:42] Leila Jalili, former Senior Designer at Under Armour, is my guest for this episode [3:15] Leila’s explanation of the common elements she sees in fashion portfolios [8:26] What interviewers are looking for in fashion portfolios for new graduates [13:38] Digital vs. physical portfolios, the pros/cons of each, and how to use sample garments [16:04] How do you convey your strengths within a team collaboration piece? [18:09] The importance of tailoring your portfolio for every interview [23:36] The best tips for networking with industry professionals [28:17] How Leila’s recent market research project impressed her freelance clients [32:26] Take the extra opportunities to inject more ambition into your career [34:32] How to determine if you need to move on from your current position or company [37:39] The keys to making a 180 turn in your fashion design career through self-driven projects [47:45] Leila’s best advice for designers [53:17] Examples of exceptionally creative projects Leila has seen throughout her career [56:30] Leila’s final words of advice for designers What interviewers are looking for in fashion portfolios for newly-graduated designers Interviewers know that a student fresh out of undergraduate school won’t have an extensive portfolio. Leila explains that they want to see your process: how you create color palettes, where you draw inspiration from, how you do research on fabric use or an industry segment, and your level of visual organization. Digital and print portfolios each convey different aspects of your personality and talent level, so consider supplying an interviewer with both. Conceptual designs, physical sample garments, and final products all add depth to your application and should be included. Leila also explains that just as it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, it’s better to include more ideas and information in your portfolio than not enough. No matter what ideas you choose to put in your portfolio, make sure the platform is user-friendly and professional. The importance of tailoring your fashion portfolio for different companies There’s a fine line between being focused and not demonstrating the breadth of your abilities within your fashion portfolio. When I asked Leila about striking the balance between the two, she explained the importance of customizing your portfolio for every viewer. For example, she wouldn’t want to see a designer showcase a men’s shorts product if they were interviewing with a company that specializes in women’s business wear. Understand who will be viewing your portfolio, showcase your best work, and always show examples of what you’re capable of at every step in the design process. Networking should be more than just collecting Linkedin connections - it’s about authentically connecting with industry professionals In order to share your stellar portfolio with potential employers, you first have to make an initial connection. Too often designers get caught up in the minutia of “professional networking” and forget that it should be about having great conversations with like-minded people. On this episode Leila and I discuss why working within the fashion industry is about knowing the right people and why taking opportunities to connect with industry professionals is so critical. Leila wants to see up and coming designers attending trade shows, going to conferences, and not being afraid of sharing their true selves. Today’s connections could turn into tomorrow’s employers and colleagues. For more, don’t miss this interview. Why the side projects you’re passionate about could drive your career forward in unexpected ways One of the highlights of my conversation with Leila was when she explained how a passion project of hers landed her additional freelance contracts. Essentially, she gathered trend research in the outdoor apparel industry not only for her own professional use but also because she's innately curious about the subject. It’s a story that can only be fully understood by listening to the audio, so be sure to listen. Sh

If you need a shot of inspiration, you’ve got to hear this conversation with my guest Elle - the creator and designer behind Ellerali, an eco friendly clothing brand built solely on the passion of its founder. Elle wasn’t educated as a designer, she was trained as a marine biologist. But that hasn’t stopped her from following her passion for design, upcycling, and the creation of sustainable fashion. Elle began sewing in 2012 and almost immediately began designing and handcrafting clothes. She loves to create out of repurposed fabrics in a way that does not add to the human imprint on planet Earth. Ellerali is a lifestyle eco-fashion brand focused on multifunctional clothing that avoids waste and gives great value to the consumer at the same time. Elle’s guiding motto is “No scrap left behind.” Join us for this conversation. It's inspiring, motivating, and encouraging to hear what passion can achieve. Outline of This Episode [0:42] A marine biologist turned designer.. a passionate designer doing amazing things [5:15] Elle’s story: How she became the founder of an eco-friendly clothing brand [11:28] Beginning to design and generating income to sustain her efforts [20:34] Scaling the business and establishing unique, cause-oriented partnerships [26:10] The promotional power of wearing and using your own product [29:00] Making the most of curated craft shows and events [34:10] The current challenge: scaling the business while creating and designing [38:57] Manufacturers, investing in her business, and being true to her values [52:20] Overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there [56:50] The legalities and nuances of working in the upcycling movement [1:07:24] What do people not ask about the fashion industry that they should? The MFS (Multi-Functional Shawl): Elle’s stylish application of her desire to not be wasteful A wonderful example of the creativity and ingenuity Elle brings to her eco friendly clothing designs is what she refers to as “The MFS” or Multi-Functional Shawl. As its name implies, it's a multifunctional clothing accessory that can be transformed to suit any outfit. It’s also reversible. I own two of these and love them! The MFS is an item that Elle creates intentionally from salvaged material such as ends of fabric rolls or leftover scraps from a production run. She designs them with zero waste in mind. One of the unique things about the MFS is that those who purchase it truly receive a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing because of the nature and sourcing of the materials used in their creation. You can see a video of the MFS here. Elle wears her own eco friendly clothing because she believes she is her own best billboard As Elle got started with her sewing and clothing design work, she wasn’t sure what would come of it. All she knew was that she loved doing it and making a positive impact at the same time. It was the marriage of two incredible passions. As she began making things, she began wearing them. That’s when she discovered an amazing reality… She was her best billboard. People she met began asking her where she got the unique things she was wearing. Naturally, she was encouraged by the attention and was humbled when, after discovering that she’d created the clothing herself, many of them asked if she would create a piece for them. An incredible aspect of promotion that many DIY designers overlook is that people need to see the clothing in action, and you are indeed your best billboard. In this conversation, Elle and I talk about how important it is for designers to “eat their own cooking,” so to speak, and the powerful impact it has on product demand. There are many lessons to be learned from Elle’s experience. I hope you take the time to listen. To maintain the values behind her eco friendly clothing brand, Elle has to move slowly As any business endeavor begins to gain steam, it’s natural to become excited about the forward progress you're beginning to experience. But that excitement can lead to hasty decisions and compromise if we are not careful. Elle points out that the things that she loves about her creations - that they are eco friendly and sustainable - are exactly the things she has to keep her focus on as she begins thinking about mass production of her clothing. There are so many opportunities to cut corners that bypass the vision behind what she's doing, and she never wants to do that. So she’s taking it slow. One step at a time. In her words, “I want to grow, but I want to be smart about it.” That’s great advice for any designer, whether we’re creating eco friendly clothing or not, don’t you think? “If we persist, it will happen.” Great advice from my friend that we all need to remember Design is a passion even more than it is a means of making a living, so most of us who are truly committed to designing will likely stay at it, at least on a small scale. But for those of us who want to build something bigger, something that is able to create a lifestyle and life we lov

As we near the one year anniversary for the show (WOW! Thank you for all your support to help us get this far!), I have some important updates about the podcast that affect you. In this short episode, learn about: the new bi-weekly publishing schedule how you can get your fashion industry questions answered in the new mailbag episodes where to discover behind the scenes bonus content how you can help us make the show better for you References mentioned in this episode: podcast (at) successfulfashiondesigner.com SFD on Patreon Click here to join the last round of FAST!

When most people think about working in fashion, all they think about is being a designer. But did you know there are a lot of other really cool jobs out there in fashion? Like a pattern maker career? A lot of the time, these jobs are less competitive than being a designer (but still as fun and creative). Aileen Coyle is a perfect example of someone who decided to explore opportunities outside of "designer". She now works as a pattern maker in LA. At first, she was set on being a designer to use her creativity. But after getting her feet wet as a pattern maker, she realized it was just as creative and that she really loved it. In the interview, Aileen and I discuss: Why she loves her pattern maker career more than being a designer How her German education set her up for success (hint: their system is really different than the US) Why she keeps in touch with past coworkers, bosses and industry friends (hint: it's how she's found most of her jobs) What she didn't love about working in fast fashion How she's grown her career and worked her way up in the industry by networking The different job opportunities and responsibilities for pattern makers Guest Info & Resources Aileen on LinkedIn Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

As fashion creatives, we think if we come up with the world's most brilliant design...it will just sell itself. If we just put up an ecommerce site, people will flock to it and buy our beautiful designs. Unfortunately...it doesn't work that way. You can create the best product in the world, but if you don't strategically attract and engage with your audience, no one's going to buy it. Virginia learned this the hard way when she launched her activewear brand years ago. So, she bought business courses, learned from others who had been successful, and implemented strategies to figure out what worked. In just 2 months, she turned her online shop around and started getting sales. She now runs Fashion Founder, and online community where she teaches other fashion entrepreneurs how to build a profitable business. In our interview, she shares some of her best strategies to attract and authentically engage with your audience...so they naturally want to buy from you. It's not snake oil or magic...in fact, the strategies to sell are quite simple once you learn them. I know you'll love our chat as much as I did. In our interview, we discuss: How to sharing value vs always selling How to carve out a path for your customer to go down Why you need to be clear about telling people what to do How you can share your story and introduce yourself in an authentic way Why it's so important to just be nice and say thank you What you can do to build your Instagram, get people to your site, on your email, and then engage with them What does engagement actually look like? How do you talk to people? What do you say? Guest Info & Resources Fashion Founder Website Fashion Founder on Instagram Free Factory Guide Instagram Guide Interview with Kathleen Fasanella Third Love Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

There are a lot of variables to consider to plan a fashion photoshoot. And in this interview, fashion photographer Kristen Walther and I cover all of them. From casting models to getting the right hair and makeup, and finding a perfect location to planning for a smooth day, we go through the entire photoshoot process, step by step. You'll love her light hearted nature and will get a good laugh from her photoshoot horror stories (think braces!). In our interview, we discuss: The importance of casting models in real life The one and only place you can cut corners if you're on a tight budget How to coordinate and plan for a successful shoot Simple things you can do to get the most shots done in a day The difference between a look book and campaign shoot, and what to expect from each Why she cringes at the phrase "we'll just Photoshop it" Why getting an experienced model can make or break your shoot When you need to get a permit (and how much you should budget) Guest Info & Resources Kristen's site Kristen on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Do you ever feel like the fashion design and development process moves at a snail's pace? We often work years and multiple seasons ahead, and by the time product is delivered, it's easy to feel like it's already outdated. Voormi thinks about things differently, and they're pushing the boundaries and timelines that fashion takes. What takes many brands 10 weeks to get done, they do in 10 days or even 10 hours. How? They approach fashion with a tech startup mentality: rapid iteration and testing. They keep the entire design + development process close by (everything - even fiber sourcing and textile production - is done in the US). They use their own proprietary fabrics and work hard to push the performance limits of natural fibers. Timm Smith is the CMO at Voormi, and he graciously took time to share their story and give us a behind the scenes sneak peak at how they built a brand that parallels industry giants like The North Face and Arcteryx. If you're curious about where the future of fashion is headed, you'll love our talk (they are pioneering some amazing stuff). If you're a textile nerd, you'll love our talk (we geek out more than once). If you're passionate about made in America, you'll love our talk. In our interview, we discuss: Why Voormi decided to base their business out of a tiny town in rural CO (instead of a port town) How they developed multiple patented fabrications that push the boundaries of natural fibers How rapid iteration and testing helps protect their product from knockoffs Why they spent 3 years on R&D before they officially launched Why they had to look outside the apparel market to find partners for textile sourcing and production Guest Info & Resources Voormi's site Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

You may think it's impossible to have a career as a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry. And you'd probably think it's even more impossible to do it from a rural town. But that's exactly what David Russon does. In today's episode of the SFD podcast, he shares exactly how he built his freelance career and now earns a full-time living doing work he loves - pattern drafting and sample sewing. He does work for established and startup indie brands to help make sure their designs fit perfect (one of the most important parts). When I first showed up to David's studio in Greeley, CO (a farm town an hour outside of Denver), I had no idea what would be behind the unassuming door in an industrial neighborhood. Turns out, it's David studio where he does all his freelance pattern maker work. I was lucky enough that David not only agreed to an audio interview, but he also let Marc and I bust out cameras for our (FIRST!) video documentary (eek!). You can see the videos here: http://successfulfashiondesigner.com/freelance-pattern-maker/. (Oh, and BTW, if you want more behind the scenes content like this, you can find it only on this page). Next, listen to the interview below where David and I talk about: What a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry does What is a block, cutter's must, grading, and other terminology a pattern maker uses (hey designers - you should know this stuff too!) How to get started as a freelancer (even if you don't live in a fashion hub) The importance of networking and being part of your local community How to price your services The ridiculously obvious thing David does to get more work (that most freelancers don't) How David's process works (whether you have a sample garment or a napkin sketch) How many opportunities there are to work in fashion outside of being a "designer" What happens when you skimp or cut corners on pattern making Why the fashion industry isn't full of all divas (and how we can create a different culture) Guest Info & Resources David's site (get in touch with him if you need a freelance pattern or sample maker!) Ralph's Power Sewing Denver Design Incubator Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

"But I'm just one person. It's hard competing against huge fashion brands out there?" It can feel really hard to launch your fashion line when you're just one person. Which is why you have to persevere and you have to find support somewhere. And I know I sound all fluffy inspirational here...which is pretty out of character. I'm known for tactics and strategies and actual "how to's". So stick with me! Because in this episode, we talk about how to do all these things. The first time Ryan launched his brand, Till I Die, it failed. He was forced to return to corporate America. The second time? He's succeeding. But it hasn't been without said perseverance and support. So, how is he making it all happen? He works is ass off. He knows which friends have his back and which ones he needs to cut lose. He knows that to get a single "yes" from a buyer, he has to get THIRTY "no's". He knows how quickly costs add up and that may mean surviving on $20k a year and eating Ramen. Ryan also knows how hard it is competing against huge fashion brands. He and I met on the trade show floor of Outdoor Retailer when I showed up with my recorder and did impromptu interviews with 9 brands. And he told me outright how hard it was to compete in sis small 10x20 foot booth that was swallowed by the 100x100 foot / two-story / monstrous booths that the big brands spend millions on. Which leads us to the second guest on the show, Nick Eliason of Outdoor Innovation Show. I also met Nick on the trade show floor, and what he's doing with OIS is soooo cool. The fashion industry is shifting. How product is created is shifting. And how you reach the end consumer is shifting. But the trade show model has stagnated. And for a lot of brands, it isn’t working. So Nick and his team are reinventing the trade show model so it’s more inline with how the fashion / retail / direct to consumer space has shifted. It’s designed to help us all work together to create amazing product and get it to the people who need it most: our customer. You're going to love both of these interviews. Here's a sneak peak of what we talk about: Why you should 3x the amount of money you think you need If you don’t have the passion and work ethic to do the work, don’t go into fashion The importance of finding a support network of friends Why retail distribution has been key for Ryan to legitimize the brand and get a bigger reach Strategies for wholesale exclusivity and creating partnerships The real numbers and the finances: how much he’s spent, the orders he’s writing at the show, and what he's living off of (it's not much) How to compete with the huge fashion brands and booths Getting used to rejection (you'll get 30 no's for every yes) The outdated trade show model and why it doesn't work for most brands Guest Info & Resources Till I Die, Ryan's brand Outdoor Innovation Show, Nick's new trade show model (first show is July 2018) Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!