How to Start Freelancing in Fashion
1.5 billion people, who make up nearly half (over 46%) of today’s global workforce, are self-employed, according to the World Bank.
Written by Maya Avram.
This article is part of The Glowth Academy’s advisory series ‘Career Planning’, where we ask professional and academic experts across our network for guidance on career planning and development. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive top-tier advice in your inbox!
Fashion has always been rife with freelance professionals since its dynamic and artistic nature fits well with industry creatives’ preference to work individually and across multiple projects. Indeed, the popularisation of the gig economy as well as Covid have seen the global workforce opt for self-employment en mass, amounting to 1.5 billion people — nearly half (over 46%) of today’s global workforce, according to the World Bank. Within that, in the US the arts and design sectors have the highest self-employment rate at 77%, according to a 2021 Upwork survey.
Younger generations of workers are particularly prone to participate in the freelance economy. In 2022, Upwork reported that 43% of all Gen Z professionals and 46% of all Millennial professionals performed freelance work. This, coupled with extensive layoffs at some of the biggest industry players such as Condé Nast and Farfetch, urges many to pursue independent work.
While some fashion jobs are traditionally freelance like styling, hair and makeup or journalism, more roles are following suit, owing to the current climate. Fixed term contracts, consulting and retainer contracts are now seen across all industry segments including design, marketing and even HR.
Below, we share how you can explore freelance opportunities in fashion through strong discipline, excellent time management and communication skills. In return, you are rewarded unparalleled creative freedom, further develop your skillset and expand your professional network.
Define Your Value Proposition
Fashion is famously competitive, and securing paid opportunities is challenging regardless of them being contract or freelance-based. Still, many industry functions are traditionally freelance, from photographers, stylists, and hair and makeup artists to PRs, marketing professionals and even recruiters — meaning that you must identify and hone your unique selling point (USP) to secure gigs and build a client roster.
To do so, audit your interests, skills and experience to determine your marketable niche. Whether it is archival knowledge of couture, a holistic understanding of trend cycles or simply a well-defined aesthetic, these differentiators are what will set you apart from other freelancers vying for the same opportunities (and budgets). These characteristics will also guide you towards jobs and clientele that fit your talent and long-term ambitions.
While it may be tempting, resist the urge to cast a wide net and accept all types of work, from all types of clients, lest you run the risk of seeming a “jack of all trades, master of none.” A selective approach will make it easier to promote yourself and attract opportunities which align with your long-term career goals. Additionally, it ensures that you can channel your passion into your projects, boosting your chances of delivering outstanding results — the kind that builds a stellar professional reputation and gets clients to return.
Lay Down the Administrative Framework
From deciding whether to be self-employed or register your own company, to managing invoicing and bookkeeping, to understanding your contracts and obligations therein (see what we did there?) Overseeing business admin is the absolutely imperative foundation of your work as a freelancer.
You are advised to hire legal and accountancy support, if only for when you are starting out. However, since not everyone can afford to keep a lawyer and an accountant on retainer, you can also look into free support with designated teams at your university; professional fashion networks; relevant literature and online resources. Things to be particularly mindful of:
Budget — Account for the cost of self promotion (operating a website, printing business cards), equipment and programmes (Adobe Creative Suite, workspace subscription), and generating new leads (travel, conference passes).
Tax — Inform yourself on relevant processes like registering your business, invoicing, and filing your tax returns.
Legal — Copyright, non-compete clauses and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) determine if you are allowed to publicise your work or add it to your portfolio; if you can share whether you have worked with a particular brand, or if you are allowed to work for competing companies; as well as how long any such limitations stay in effect.
Late payments — Know your rights in case a client does not / is late to pay you. In New York, for example, the Freelancing Isn’t Free Act stipulates freelancers are entitled to full payment within 30 days. In the UK, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act empowers businesses to charge interest on overdue payments.
Finally, you may also wish to consider joining a union. While not common in fashion, they are gaining momentum during these uncertain times. Most notably, earlier this year the Condé Nast employee union organised a 24-hour walkout following their claim of unlawful layoffs negotiations. They were supported by actor Anne Hathaway.
Manage Your Time and Workload
Successful freelancers must have strong discipline to manage workloads, meet deadlines and, equally important, maintain a work/life balance. Working for yourself means that you are essentially your own project manager, responsible for both directing and executing tasks, so you would want to be strategic.
Test out different organisation methods, from keeping a diary (physical or digital), to scheduling regular checkups with yourself or with clients, as well as working in shared office spaces with others. Do not overwork yourself by creating endless to-do’s, but do challenge yourself enough so that you remain engaged with your work.
Once you figure out how to work effectively, ensure that you are aligned with your clients on deliverables, timelines, frequency and mode of communication. Be as detailed and specific as possible to avoid “scope creep”, i.e., project requirements that are added after the fact but without added compensation. Of course, be diplomatic when setting these boundaries and adapt to clients’ needs to guarantee their return.
Market Yourself
To further develop your freelance business you have to promote your services to stand out from competition — even if it feels forced.
To become familiar with your USP and market it with confidence, invest time optimising our online profiles. This will have the added benefit of making yourself easier to find by potential clients. In addition to social media, research specialised platforms and groups that advertise freelance opportunities, such as The Dots, Upwork and Fiverr. Sign up for alumni and professional associations to discover networking and collaboration opportunities.
Another way to enhance your reputation is by creating insightful and educational content that will render you an expert in your field. This type of content tends to trend well online, and could therefore get you discovered by peers and potential clients.
Reap the Benefits
While freelancing entails many moving parts, it also offers fashion professionals unparalleled creative freedom. “If you want to work as a stylist, you have to work freelance or have an agent,” said freelance fashion stylist Ruta Jane in a recent interview with The Glowth Academy. “Working for a company really limits you — you can only do what they want and you can’t experiment as much.”
This independence extends itself to other aspects as well, such as the ability to work for multiple, varying types of clients at the same time. Diverse experience is a positive in fashion, as it allows you to gain a holistic understanding of the business and pad your CV with newly acquired skills. Working across different accounts will help you hone your craft and, ultimately, attract more business.
Another major plus is that it helps build your community and add people you meet along the way to your network. Down the line, these connections can catapult you forward whether with your business or your career as a whole.
Written by Maya Avram.