September reflections of a freelance fashion designer.
Hello October! It's time to reflect on September.... and what a month September has been!!
I feel incredibly grateful to have supported three very different clients over the past month, each one bringing fresh challenges, new learnings and plenty of creative energy. I really do mean it, when I feel grateful that these 3 companies trust me to take there ideas forward and delve into there worlds.
While I won’t name names (client confidentiality is key!), I’d love to share some of the exciting work I've been involved in:
Client 1: Supporting an established fashion brand
I stepped in as an extra pair of hands to support their busy internal teams, from working on new designs, creating CADs and liaising with suppliers. This allows them to concentrate on other areas of the business that need their focus.
This project has really pushed me to adapt quickly to a new brand handwriting and collaborate with some fantastic new people across the industry. My aim is to seamlessly slot in and be as helpful as possible, and delve into there brands DNA that there customer knows and loves them for. It’s been a joy to contribute to such a well-loved label and I really appreciate there trust in me.
Client 2: Partnering with an exciting startup in its early growth stage
From research and concept development to initial product design, fabric sourcing and early conversations with a Far East factory, this project has been a deep dive into building from the ground up. There has been lots of questions and learnings along the way on this one, and I have loved it.
With 3D design fully integrated in this project, it’s a particularly exciting one for me as this is a new area for me, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves as I feel this is going to be a brand to watch when officially launched. It has also got me looking into CLO, and questioning, is now the time for me to start that journey?
Client 3: Working for an established UK licensee company
This brief has involved developing style direction pages across casualwear and nightwear for the wider UK fashion market. It’s a completely different way of working to what I’m used to, and that’s exactly why I’ve enjoyed it. New perspectives = new growth.
What I’ve learned this month:
1. Adaptability is one of the most powerful skills a freelance fashion designer can have.
2. Every client, big or small, brings something valuable to my learning and growth as a freelance womenswear designer.
3. The fashion industry is evolving fast, embracing new technologies and ways of thinking and I’m proud to be evolving with it.
Here’s to more collaborations, more learning, and more creativity. I have some space in October to take on one more collaboration, so get in touch via my contact me page, if you are wanting design support from a freelance fashion designer for you and your brand.
