Making it as an indie fashion designer is emotionally, mentally and financially brutal. And trying to do it alone is even harder. Which is why I love this episode with Nathalie Kraynina, an indie ready-to-wear fashion designer turned custom bridal designer who has built her brand by working with other designers. Sharing resources like factories and fabric suppliers, and pooling efforts for fashion shows and events helped everyone in her community get further. Together, they celebrated the highs and helped each other through the lows. The times when you're at your worst and you want to give up, curled up in a ball on your bathroom floor in a pool of tears. Nathalie is brutally honest, humble and transparent about what goes into working in fashion and she doesn't sugarcoat anything. It's something I appreciate tremendously about her. Listen now for a candid and truly behind the scenes look at what it means to really work as a startup or indie designer. You Will Learn Why building a community and working together with other designers will sky rocket all of you ahead What it means to work collectively, and why it's much better than working competitively How making it through failures is the true measurement of your success The financial challenges, constraints and realities of being an independent designer Why fashion shows don’t actually do anything for you The importance of taking time to get out there, network and meet people Nathalie & Her Work Guest Info & Resources Nathalie's website Nathalie 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! Get More Resources Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer
Show Notes
Making it as an indie fashion designer is emotionally, mentally and financially brutal.
And trying to do it alone is even harder.
Which is why I love this episode with Nathalie Kraynina, an indie ready-to-wear fashion designer turned custom bridal designer who has built her brand by working with other designers. Sharing resources like factories and fabric suppliers, and pooling efforts for fashion shows and events helped everyone in her community get further.
Together, they celebrated the highs and helped each other through the lows. The times when you're at your worst and you want to give up, curled up in a ball on your bathroom floor in a pool of tears.
Nathalie is brutally honest, humble and transparent about what goes into working in fashion and she doesn't sugarcoat anything. It's something I appreciate tremendously about her.
Listen now for a candid and truly behind the scenes look at what it means to really work as a startup or indie designer.
You Will Learn- Why building a community and working together with other designers will sky rocket all of you ahead
- What it means to work collectively, and why it's much better than working competitively
- How making it through failures is the true measurement of your success
- The financial challenges, constraints and realities of being an independent designer
- Why fashion shows don’t actually do anything for you
- The importance of taking time to get out there, network and meet people
Guest Info & Resources 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!
Creators and Guests
Host
Heidi Weinberg {Sew Heidi}
Heidi (aka Sew Heidi) is a self-taught freelance fashion designer who built a six-figure business without a degree, portfolio, or industry connections. After years of burnout in the fashion industry, she went freelance—and never looked back. Now, she helps other designers ditch toxic jobs, land better clients, and build flexible careers they love. Through her podcast, courses, and resources, Heidi has helped thousands of designers take control of their fashion path and finally get paid what they’re worth.
What is Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms?
This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers, textile designer and beyond) who want more flexibility in their career while still doing work they love.
You'll learn how to build a freelance fashion business, so you can do the work you love on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk).
Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want.
Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)