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

Jay is your absolute one stop shop for sourcing anything and everything you need to make your product, including fabrics, trims, hangtags, labels and so much more. In this interview, Jay shares why indie designers are seeing more success now than they were 5 years ago, what materials you can cut costs on and where you may want to spend a little more, and why buying from NYC’s garment district is the biggest mistake most designers make. You will learn: The different supplier tiers: retail, jobber, fabric importer, converter and mill Why you need to be really careful buying from a jobber The challenges of sourcing fabric in the NYC garment district Why independent designers are seeing greater success now than 5 years ago The importance of continuity in the supplies you source Why logistically it’s more expensive to do small batch production overseas than locally What materials you can cut corners and costs on, and what ones you don’t want to Guest Info & Resources: The Sourcing District Website The Sourcing District on Instagram Call Jay: 708-386-8586 Email Jay: jay@thesourcingdistrict.com Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer

Show Notes

Jay is your absolute one stop shop for sourcing anything and everything you need to make your product, including fabrics, trims, hangtags, labels and so much more. In this interview, Jay shares why indie designers are seeing more success now than they were 5 years ago, what materials you can cut costs on and where you may want to spend a little more, and why buying from NYC’s garment district is the biggest mistake most designers make.

You will learn:
  • The different supplier tiers: retail, jobber, fabric importer, converter and mill
  • Why you need to be really careful buying from a jobber
  • The challenges of sourcing fabric in the NYC garment district
  • Why independent designers are seeing greater success now than 5 years ago
  • The importance of continuity in the supplies you source
  • Why logistically it’s more expensive to do small batch production overseas than locally
  • What materials you can cut corners and costs on, and what ones you don’t want to

Guest Info & Resources: Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Looking for more resources?

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 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.)