5 Tips for Freelance Fashion Designers
..what I wish someone had told me 5 years ago
So you’re out here, macbook in one hand, caffeine in the other, trying to make freelance fashion design work? Same. Whether you’re just starting out or ten AW seasons deep, here are 5 tips that have genuinely kept me sane, paid, and creatively lit up.
1. 🚩 Red flags are real
If a client tells you they “just need a quick sketch” or “don’t really have a brief”—run. Vague input leads to endless revisions, and endless revisions aren’t in the budget. You’re a designer, not a mind reader.
Pro tip: If they flinch at your pricing, they’ll flinch at everything.
2. ⏱️ Time-saving tools = creative freedom
Use templates. Make checklists. Batch your admin. The more mental energy you save on the boring stuff, the more you’ll have for the fun bits (like obsessing over Pantone colours).
Faves I live by:
– Notion for project tracking + content planning.
– Illustrator templates that look like a design playground, think zips, buttons, blocks, fills, quilts you name it.
– Pomodoro timer for focused sprints, this is a game changer.
3. 💸 Know your worth, and then charge for it
If you’ve spent 10 years learning your craft, you shouldn’t be pricing like you’re fresh out of uni. Clients pay for experience, taste, and speed. Don’t lowball yourself just to land the gig—it never ends well. It’s also quite difficult to then raise your prices.
Anchor your prices to the value you bring, not how long it takes.
4. 💡 Your process is your selling point
Clients don’t just want pretty sketches—they want to feel like they’re in safe hands. Show them your process: research, trend knowledge, CADs, spec packs. Let them see the strategy behind the style. No AI will replicate this or some close at least not for a few years..
Transparency = trust = repeat work.
5. 💬 Never stop marketing (but make it easy)
Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok—it doesn’t have to be perfect, just consistent. Share behind-the-scenes. Talk about your process. Show off your designs like you would your best outfit. You’re building a brand, not just a business.
And if in doubt? Post it anyway. Your next client might be watching.
🖤
That’s it for now. Got questions or want to chat freelance life? email me or WhatsApp me - there is a link on my main portfolio.