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This is a show for burnt-out fashion designers (and TDs, PDs, patternmakers and beyond) who want more flexibility while still doing work they love. As a freelance fashion designer, you can build your fashion career on your own terms. Freelancing in fashion is the only way to get freedom in your day (instead of being tied to a desk). Whether you want to earn extra money on the side, fund your fashion brand, or replace your salary, the FDGP podcast will help you get there. Listen in for actionable tips and strategies to kickstart or grow your career as a freelance fashion designer, build your confidence, and create the life you want. Hosted by $100k+ fashion freelancer Sew Heidi, the show features interviews and strategy sessions with successful freelance fashion designers from around the world who've ditched toxic fashion jobs and taken control of their own destinies. This is the only place to get REAL insights from REAL freelancers who have built REAL careers on their own terms. (Formerly the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.)
Heidi [00:00:01]:
It's not every day that you hear about how a software saved a fashion designer, but that was the reality for Jade Way. Jade was considering leaving the industry because of all the waste and unsustainable practices. And after doing a deep multiyear journey of self reflection and personal development. She was trying to figure out her purpose in life and in fashion. She wasn't sure if there was a place for her. Jade and I had a really long, almost 2 hour conversation about all sorts of deep things in life, and I chose to share this one short clip with you about her experience adopting and learning CLO 3 d. She shares how she consciously had to get out of her comfort zone, how learning illustrator was a stepping stone to get there, and how she now views change. If you on any level feel like you are stuck in your ways or resistant to change, because let's be honest, that's how we naturally react as human beings.
Heidi [00:00:52]:
Maybe it's around sketching by hand or not learning 3 d or rejecting AI as an artificial intelligence, not Adobe Illustrator. Or if you're feeling scared on any level about the undertaking of learning a new software as robust as CLO, you are not alone. I think you will find so much camaraderie and joy in how Jay approached this in her fashion career. And I think you'll find insights into how you can approach it in yours too. Let's get to it. All of this, like, deep internal reflection, figuring out, like, what's really important to you in life? What do you wanna get out of this life? How you react to things? Like, how you bring more love into your own life, into your relationships, into your freelance career. Like, can you like, other than getting out of your comfort zone when you're like, okay, turning 40, I hear you on that. What other ways do you think that has had an impact or, like, changed your trajectory in your fashion career? Arguably, we could say both freelancing with your own brand and stuff.
Jade Wei [00:02:04]:
I think it's definitely the discovery of Clo3d. It's just like after years years in the fashion system, and once I discover this new way and how this technology can enhance the traditional way. And I'm just, like, really, like, pumped again about the career. Yeah.
Heidi [00:02:33]:
Yeah.
Jade Wei [00:02:33]:
I just feel like, wow. This is I got beyond this because I see a total different opportunity. And not just opportunity, this is a just a better way. And it's not just because it's a fancy thing, it's a new technology thing. I think because I from come from a traditional, like, you know, design development background for years. There's just certain thing we got question. If it's so repetitive and it's labor intensive, is it actually necessary? Right? Because it's very, like, waste on the waste for on the resource, even human resource or even material resource. Mhmm.
Jade Wei [00:03:15]:
And I don't agree with that. I just don't feel like that's the way continuing going forward. So I just feel that there must be better way, like, then when I discover all these, like, 3 d capability now or even the AI enhancement line, like, approaches, I just feel like, yeah, I see another, like, you know, all of a sudden there's another light down the tunnel, you know. Because I was a little bit like, I kinda not sure if I wanna continue being fashion knowing, like, what's going on, and I feel stuck. Yeah. And then it kinda get me feel like, why are we creating so many stuff for? Do we really need stuff, right, in this world? Yeah. And I I think it's not the stuff. It's like, I get it.
Jade Wei [00:04:05]:
People do want to have new things all the time because we are human and that's part of the human nature. We want a new, you know, even the new way to think or we just want new material thing to feel and experience and that's normal. But I do feel that sometimes we we can be smarter about how we can provide those kind of experience and also material thing to life. Right? And before I did think about how come in other industry, they can do that, but not in fashion? Why fashion stuck, like, in the same way for so many years? Like, I don't know. A century maybe? As soon as you saw in my, You know? Like, 19th century, like but it's a continued similar way, and then I even yeah. Don't get me wrong. I love how all the heritage, like, couture, like, all all those things. But I feel as soon as it's going to, like, ready to wear or even now on a lot of brands, we're not talking about that anymore.
Jade Wei [00:05:04]:
Because that's still all the heritage side, they still have that. It still has its own space. And but I feel like when it's going to mass produce, there'll definitely be a better way to reduce the waste and just less harmful to human on the planet, planet, and you say everything. Yeah. So I feel like I think, in my latest thirties, I start knowing why there's, like, close reading this kind of, like, application software, but I didn't think it was ready, but at least I know it's there. So then I can I just feel like yeah? I started to learn in my 30 9 and a 40 just like yeah. That's another thing. Like, a new discovery for me to feel like, wow.
Jade Wei [00:05:56]:
I have a new path, and this is beginning for me for this career. Yeah. Yeah. Otherwise, it was, like, really yeah. I just wasn't sure, like, if I should change career even then. Yeah.
Heidi [00:06:12]:
Just because of, like, the waste and the unsustainable practices and, like, that sort of thing?
Jade Wei [00:06:19]:
Yeah. And also even just the same thing. I'm questioning my purpose in life. Like, if I'm just continue doing my creating more, like, yeah, more stuff for the reason of, like, not really considering more. I don't know. Like, if there's any better way we can reduce or just better process. And I just feel we're stuck if that's the way it's always gonna be. I just feel like, oh, maybe I feel I get bored.
Jade Wei [00:06:49]:
You know? Yeah. Exciting anymore. And the nature of fashion, it should be exciting. It should be it's be always, like, try new things and new local, new feeling. Right? But working in it, I didn't feel that anymore.
Heidi [00:07:05]:
So So how did CLO change that?
Jade Wei [00:07:08]:
I just feel like it kind of, like, show me everything that I could imagine. Like, wow. What if we had this? Like, even in the beginning when I'm learning fashion. I just feel like even skill wise, knowledge wise, it probably will speed up my learning curve as well, like, as a parent or even just, like, making a better sample to save time to kinda, like, have to go through so many samples to get to the final perfect one. Just because, like, I don't know, there's miscommunication or you can't see the change straight away. It's just, like, everything is so much smarter, and it just doesn't make sense. And then I just, like, wow. So I'm so happy, like, they are company.
Jade Wei [00:07:58]:
They are, you know, building this, like, for us to use as a tool to continue forward and then kinda change maybe the industry in some way. Yeah. Yeah. So definitely. Yeah. That's another big thing for my change. Yeah.
Heidi [00:08:16]:
That's huge. Were there, like, was that a getting outside your comfort zone thing? Like learning a new software, jumping into 3 d? Like, it's not an easy learning curve.
Jade Wei [00:08:26]:
No. Because I I had to get out of my comfort zone learning Illustrator with you. Because in the past, I'm always just hand sketch everything, technical drawing, hand sketch. Wow. Yeah. But it gets to a point I I because I did think, like, learning illustrator many times, but not none of those things stick until I learn from your course.
Heidi [00:08:49]:
Oh. Oh, thank you.
Jade Wei [00:08:51]:
Yes. Because normally I will actually use it for one project, but I still go back to, like, my comfort. Hands attached.
Heidi [00:09:00]:
Yeah. Okay. The comfort zone thing again. It's threaded through everything. Yeah.
Jade Wei [00:09:04]:
And I feel like when I found your course, I made a decision. That's it. I'm not going back. And I'm gonna do this course properly, learn it properly this time. And then once I get it, and I just feel like, why? Like, this is much better. So I realized that's my first unlock, like, the comfort thing. Like Yeah. The old tools, you always think it's better, but it's not necessary.
Jade Wei [00:09:29]:
You just need to be willing to have that mind open to accept and put in the work and then to understand, like, this can help you. Like, what you already have, but this can help you to make things even better. Yeah. So that's my first unlock on the on the technology side, I guess. So once I've kinda got the illustrator, I actually feel quite confident to just learn And I literally just jumped from there to there.
Heidi [00:09:58]:
When did you so you started CLO around 38, 39?
Jade Wei [00:10:02]:
I think 2019 20 Okay. And when did you learn illustrator? Illustrator 2019, I think and then right. Yeah. Claw, I think, 2022. So probably last few just few years after. Yeah.
Heidi [00:10:17]:
Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. So that sorry. Go ahead.
Jade Wei [00:10:23]:
Not just like a step at a time, I guess. Yeah. If you chase back, it's always like it seems like there's a lot of big change, but it's all from small changes. Yeah. Like, every single time you say you say, okay. I'm gonna do it this time. Like, I'm gonna learn this illustrator and it's stuck. And then next night, give me the confidence.
Jade Wei [00:10:46]:
I can learn another software. Why not? You know? It's like that.
Heidi [00:10:53]:
Wow. What but it I mean, you say it's little change, but to me, I is it though, like, you said you tried to learn illustrator multiple times and, like, gotten stuck or quit or just gone back to your comfort. Like, it I don't know. It doesn't feel that little to me or because that feel little to you? And and what changed on that time where you were like, I'm gonna do this and I'm gonna make it stick, and you did make it stick. And then that led to Chloe. Like, it it's always these little stepping stones. Right?
Jade Wei [00:11:34]:
So now I think the first time it always harder because I guess your old habits sometimes doesn't die easy. I think that's the trick, but once you kind of break out that first first, like more everything else, I think it become easier. Yeah. I guess it's like learning bicycle. Right? In the beginning, it takes so long to get it, but once you get it, maybe it's easier. Yeah. Because now I'm thinking about, yeah, that really took me years, like, in and out, dipping in and out, even just for it. And I would so, like, I will be comfortable learning, like, this kind of software if I didn't kinda get that down.
Jade Wei [00:12:16]:
And then yeah, so it's quite interesting now thinking back because I think those kind of in and out thing is, like, yeah, I think when I was doing my MA or other courses, they just have a project. I will use it to finish one project. But if I have freelance work or anything like I design for myself, I just always, I can't be bothered to even open my computer. I want and I'm able yeah. But then that, okay, it's great. Fast at the time, but then, like, for editing. It just you gotta do everything. So then you gotta kinda, like, learn smart, like, is this for what? And if you know it needs to be edit, like, because if it's not for your own design, you gotta communicate with other people and they definitely want to change.
Jade Wei [00:13:04]:
So it only makes sense if it's a a tool that can be easily edited. And I feel the same as Cole while I was painting.
Heidi [00:13:12]:
Totally. Versus a paper pattern.
Jade Wei [00:13:15]:
For sure. Yeah. So that's why I just feel like yeah. Even I learned Gerber system, like, back in 2009. I think I talked to you about this in the last time. Yeah. I learned it, and I know it's great, but not many company can afford it. And that's another thing is the accessibility or, like, the, yeah, the availability for people to use the software as well.
Jade Wei [00:13:37]:
And I feel now because the time is right, like, the technology, everyone has a laptop, and then that is, like, a subscription software. And I just feel it's quite easy for people just have access and then kind of, like, jump on them and use it. Mhmm. Yeah. So I just think as things are so much easier in our life, I just feel like the way we work should be easier too. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. I I was talking to a friend the other day about he's asking me, like, what is AI? What is all these AI thing for? I have no clue. Yeah.
Jade Wei [00:14:13]:
And I guess I just have to, like, explain to them, like, they they basically is, like, the 3 point o. You can you can, describe as, like, the the first generation would be, like, photography, and 2.0 is Photoshop. And now the 3.0. And then I yeah. And I just say, like, you never saw, like, for nobody saw Photoshop can kind of enhance photography. Then there's always like magic. But now you see image being photoshopped, but you you you know that is a photo. It's a legit photo.
Jade Wei [00:14:49]:
Right? Yeah. But now people are certain people against AI, but why? Yeah. It just I agree. From image. And I I just feel like people sometimes, like, against the new the idea just because they're not comfortable to accept that new idea yet. Mhmm. Mhmm. But they don't get this is just the natural of order.
Jade Wei [00:15:08]:
Things will evolve in a way that Mhmm. To actually make our life easier, really.
Heidi [00:15:13]:
Yeah. Totally.
Jade Wei [00:15:15]:
Yeah. So we have more time and effort to be creative on other things. Yeah. Rather than laboring things. Could you imagine, like, retouching? Even now those kind of, like, in Photoshop, you
Heidi [00:15:26]:
right? You can I know? From I did some photo? Yeah. I did some photo retouching back in my day. Yeah. And it yeah. I used to, like, change the car. Right. Color the photo sample was in red and it needed to be in blue and, like, I knew how to do all that. And, like, it was so laborious and now it's, like, a whole different.
Jade Wei [00:15:47]:
Yeah. Literally.
Heidi [00:15:48]:
Yeah. So I
Jade Wei [00:15:49]:
guess it's just somehow you got people need more explanation to them to understand what the benefit. Why? Why do we need that? And why why it should replace? It's not about replace. I feel I often have to tell a lot of people, oh, this new tool is not replaced. It's some kind of, like, enhanced or a different way to do because I feel a lot of people kinda come from a fear base. So they feel like it is such a thing they know so comfortable gonna be replaced. Mhmm. But that's not the case, like, because, like, okay. Just talking about phone, iPhone.
Jade Wei [00:16:25]:
Before iPhone come, like yeah. People having the other type of phone, right, the keypad one. But then before how long everyone actually have the touch phone, It's just like this is just how the world would go. It just things will come out to make our life easier, but you either kinda get only to learn it to make your life easier because you gotta put a little effort. Right? But a lot of people Totally. People don't like change, but they want the outcome to be easier. But that doesn't it doesn't work like that. So that's not life.
Jade Wei [00:16:58]:
Yeah. So I guess I yeah that one thing I was telling another friend. I said he actually told me, like like, there's a time, like, oh, why do we need to use that phone? It's too complicated, but you haven't tried. You say it's complete, but once you try, you can't have to go back. Mhmm. So that's what it is. Yeah. I think it's really interesting.
Jade Wei [00:17:20]:
Sometimes I really tried that I chat with my husband a lot about this kind of, like, human psychology. Yeah. Because that that kinda help us to understand ourselves. Totally. Act in certain scenario or, like, first, sometimes maybe it's all habit. We were asked that way, but if you see it, oh, I have been like that. I could be more open about that. Like, yeah.
Jade Wei [00:17:45]:
Let's move the thing from the other way, and then you'll be surprised yourself. Like, yeah, we have to we have so many thing that we learn, like, since we're young, but that's, like, what we've been taught and kinda, like, information being stuff into us, but we kinda need to decode quite a lot of it to have new interpretation, to kind of receive new new ways or new information. And I find that really exciting as a human. That's how we should grow and evolve.
Heidi [00:18:12]:
Agree. Totally. Yeah.