Calling all Vogue readers, catwalk watchers, and Pinterest board curators – you can turn your passion into a dream career when you learn how to make money in fashion.
You may assume that careers in fashion are hard to earn, but the truth is, it’s a thriving industry that’s full of possibilities. The fashion industry offers hundreds of unique roles, with options ranging from technical to hyper-creative.
You don’t need to have a design school background or an impressive internship to break through; there are positions for artists, educators, marketers, business analysts, and beyond.
This post covers 14 ways to make money in fashion – all remote, of course.
5 Kinds of Fashion Careers
The American fashion industry goes far beyond what you see on the runway; it’s a $400 billion market that employs 1.8 million people, making it the world’s largest national fashion market.
And while there are endless fashion roles to explore, most fall under 5 main categories:
- Fashion Design: Involved in the design and creation of clothing, footwear, and other accessories. Common roles include Fashion Designers, Pattern Makers, Technical Designers, and Textile Designers.
- Fashion Merchandising: The promotion and sale of products, including trend prediction, selecting and purchasing fashion products for a specific brand, and meeting consumer needs. Common roles include Buyers, Merchandisers, and Supply Chain Coordinators.
- Fashion Marketing: Marketing handles all communications around fashion products and the brands behind them. They’re involved in brand development and managing campaigns to promote these brands. Common roles include Event Coordinators, Social Media Managers, Fashion Marketing Managers, and Public Relations Specialists.
- Fashion Media & Styling: This sector covers all publications, including print and digital media. Roles are big-picture and focus on visual storytelling through a recognizable aesthetic. Common roles include Stylists, Fashion Editors, and Photographers.
- Fashion Production & Operations: Finally, fashion production handles the logistics that bring an original design all the way to the rack. Common roles include Production Managers, Sourcing Specialists, and Quality Control Agents.
How to Make Money in Fashion: 14 Ideas
There are several ways to make money in the fashion industry, even in remote roles. Use these 14 ideas to start your very own home-based fashion business.
1. Affiliate Marketer
Affiliate marketers make money by promoting clothing, accessories, and other fashion products through their platform. This can be through fashion blogging, social media content, email marketing, product reviews, and beyond.
It’s fairly straightforward – share the product and your affiliate link. You’ll earn a small commission each time someone purchases an item through that link.
This can be a great passive income source and a super flexible side hustle.
2. Content Creator
Content creation has revolutionized the fashion space, shifting the power from big media to individual creators for trendspotting and style advice.
Seen as more relatable, and thus more trustworthy, these creators drive trends to huge audiences and monetize along the way.
If you have a strong personal style and are passionate about content creation, consider showcasing your skills to a broader audience. Fashion blogs, YouTube vlogging, TikTok, and Instagram are all accessible ways to break into the space.
3. Digital Pattern Maker
When looking at how to make money in fashion remotely, digital pattern making is an attractive option. Instead of physically drafting patterns on paper, makers turn designs into precise digital patterns using design software.
Basic roles include drafting digital garment patterns, turning physical sketches into digital renderings, grading patterns across sizes, adding construction details, and more.
This role blends creativity and technical skills while also being one of the most remote-friendly careers in fashion.
4. Description Writer
Writers looking to enter the fashion space may be interested in description copywriting.
Essentially, these writers use their skills to produce product information, sharing important details with the consumer in a compelling and descriptive way; this writing should answer consumer questions while also helping boost sales!
Both freelance and in-house positions are available, with remote work being the norm.
5. Fashion Designer
Have you ever dreamed of having your own clothing line? You don’t need to work for a major fashion studio to start making clothes.
An e-commerce boom has made it easier than ever to start selling handmade goods. Platforms like Etsy are a great place to get started, building clientele through SEO-powered listings and a built-in customer base.
Many established brands also hire freelance fashion designers who can work from home using digital tools.
6. Fashion Illustrator
Fashion illustration combines fine arts with digital rendering to showcase clothing, footwear, accessories, and beyond. These illustrations are a communication style, with artwork used across magazines, packaging, social media, store displays, and advertising campaigns.
Fashion illustrators are often commissioned for project-based roles, making this an ideal remote fashion job.
Some brands hire in-house illustrators; you may find similar positions under titles like Concept Designer, Art Director, Illustrator, or Graphic Designer.
7. Fashion Merchandiser
A fashion merchandiser works on purchasing for brands, deciding what to sell, when to sell, and price points.
The role often includes trend forecasting, data analysis, inventory planning, and collaborating closely with team members across departments.
Merchandisers are often in-house positions, which makes 100% remote roles rarer. If you’re willing to compromise on a hybrid model, you’ll have more options on the job market.
8. Fashion Writer or Editor
Fashion writers focus exclusively on the industry, covering the latest collections, industry innovations, rising trends, and more.
This role is naturally remote, with researching, writing, and communications all taking place online. Freelance is common, with regular assignments across publications.
Editing is more large-scale, deciding instead on what gets written about; think content ideas, story development, and shaping a publication’s messaging. These roles are more commonly in-house, though you may still be able to work on a fully remote or hybrid model.
9. Online Stylist
The internet has made personal styling much more accessible for both stylists and consumers.
Brands like Stitch Fix employ virtual stylists to send customers curated outfits based on their needs. Customers keep what they like and return what they don’t – turning your styling into sales!
While established companies like Stitch Fix are a good way to gain experience and a built-in client base, you can absolutely run your own online styling service. A social media presence, a simple business landing page, and a few glowing reviews can be enough to get you started.
10. Reseller
A major cultural shift has brought thrifting to the spotlight. Secondhand fashion is incredibly popular, loved for its lower environmental impact and cost-effective price points.
Thrift hunters can make money selling used clothes online through apps like Poshmark, Etsy, Depop, and eBay.
11. Sewing Instructor
Accomplished sewers can share their skills with the world through online classes.
Teach others to sew through online tutorials, live lessons, and downloadable patterns. You can sell pre-recorded classes through an online course, or live virtual classes for a higher price point.
Platforms like Skillshare or Udemy make great hosts for these kinds of courses.
12. Textile Designer
Have you ever wondered how those dots got on that yellow polka dot bikini? Someone needed to design that print!
Fashion textile designers create the patterns that are printed onto textiles, everything from a simple stripe to an abstract wonder.
Basic tasks include trend research, concept creation, pattern building, and frequent communication. Remote freelance positions are common for this role.
13. Upcycled Reseller
Beyond reselling, you can really get your creative juices flowing through upcycled clothing. Think repurposed vintage pieces, damaged clothing brought back to life, and one-of-a-kind clothing you won’t find anywhere else.
This business model is in direct opposition to the fast fashion market that’s become widely criticized by responsible consumers.
14. Wardrobe Consultant
What’s better than designing your dream wardrobe? Curating wardrobes for everyone in your circle (on their dime, woot!).
Wardrobe consultants gut a closet from the inside out, reviewing your clothes, helping you decide which existing pieces suit your life, and which are ready to purge.
Then comes the fun part: creating and purchasing a personalized wardrobe that fits their body type, coloring, and lifestyle.
Wardrobe consultants can work completely remotely by using online shopping tools, video consultations, and the wonderful world of the US Postal Service.
Final Thoughts: How to Make Money in Fashion
For the fashionistas out there, a career in fashion can feel like an unreachable dream. But there are so many different ways to thrive in this industry.
I hope these roles give you a better idea of how to make money in fashion, with options for all time commitments and industry interests.
Looking for more jobs that will let your creativity shine? Check out these posts on How to Start a Creative Business From Home.
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