How to Make 6 Figures As A Fashion Designer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Fashion designer? Good for you! Being a Fashion designer is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Fashion designer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Digital products ($261K/month)
Creating digital products could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially earn six figures as a fashion designer. Digital products such as fashion design courses, eBooks on sewing techniques, or subscription-based fashion trend newsletters are top-rated and easy to create and share. These products can seamlessly integrate into your existing website, enabling you to sell directly to your audience without the hassles of managing physical inventory.
Moreover, the entrepreneurial-minded fashion designer could also think about developing unique software tools like design apps or running online workshops. A membership site featuring exclusive design tips, video tutorials, and fashion trend discussions could create a steady stream of passive income. With endless possibilities and minimal overhead costs, starting a digital products business could be a practical and profitable extension of your fashion design career.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
2. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative side hustle for fashion designers looking to augment their income and potentially reach six figures. With your expertise in fashion, you could write in-depth articles, reviews, and content about the latest trends, helping brands and fashion blogs with your insider knowledge. This specialized niche could make your writing highly sought after, allowing you to charge premium rates.
Additionally, freelance writing offers the flexibility to work from anywhere and on your own schedule, making it easier to balance with your primary career as a fashion designer. Your strong writing skills and ability to meet deadlines, combined with savvy communication and staying updated on industry tools, could set you apart in the freelance marketplace. By diversifying your income streams, you could find the financial freedom and professional growth you're aiming for.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
3. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
One way to supplement your income as a fashion designer is through affiliate marketing, where you promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral. This approach leverages your existing industry knowledge and network, allowing you to recommend fashion-related products, such as clothing, accessories, or design tools, to your audience.
Affiliate marketing is a low-cost business venture that does not require you to create or own the products, meaning your primary investment will be in your marketing skills. By signing up for affiliate programs in your niche and using your unique tracking links, you could drive traffic and generate sales, earning a commission for each successful referral. This supplemental income could help you reach your goal of making six figures in your career.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
4. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a fashion designer and potentially help you reach a six-figure salary. Given your eye for aesthetics and trends, you could leverage your expertise to create and manage compelling social media campaigns for fashion brands and boutiques. Additionally, you could develop a good social media marketing strategy and automate using various tools, allowing you to serve clients efficiently without committing an overwhelming amount of time.
To kickstart this venture, you could create an agency portfolio showcasing your skills in social media marketing and fashion design. This portfolio would help market your services to potential clients, demonstrating how your unique background can add value to their marketing efforts. With the right strategies and tools, you could earn extra income to clear your utility bills, finance your education, or save for a dream vacation, while also expanding your professional network and skill set.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could be a game-changer for you as a fashion designer, offering a lucrative avenue to supplement your income and potentially reach six figures. By leveraging an online platform, you could showcase your unique designs to a global audience, capitalizing on the convenience and efficiency that ecommerce offers to consumers. You could significantly reduce overhead costs associated with brick-and-mortar setups, allowing you to invest more in your creations and marketing efforts.
Moreover, with the tools available today, setting up an ecommerce store is more accessible than ever. You could use user-friendly shopping cart software and payment processing systems to handle transactions seamlessly. This flexibility allows you to manage your online store alongside your primary design projects, offering a scalable opportunity to grow your brand and revenue on your own terms.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side business for a fashion designer, allowing you to tap into the growing market of audio content. By creating engaging episodes centered around fashion trends, design tips, and industry insights, you could attract a dedicated audience of fashion enthusiasts and professionals. This audience can open doors for sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product collaborations, significantly supplementing your primary income.
In addition, running a podcast positions you as an authority in the fashion industry, enhancing your brand and opening new opportunities for partnerships and speaking engagements. You could also use your platform to promote your own designs, leading to increased sales and recognition. As your listener base grows, the ad revenue and listener support could contribute substantially to reaching or even exceeding the six-figure income mark.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
7. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could provide a lucrative avenue to make six figures as a fashion designer. By offering personalized guidance and support, you could leverage your expertise in the industry to help other aspiring fashion professionals navigate their career paths. This could include services such as resume building, interview prep, and advice on workplace advancement, tailored to each client’s unique aspirations.
Given the flexibility of in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a diverse client base and empower significant professional breakthroughs. If you have a talent for speaking and a knack for human resources, launching a coaching practice lets you monetize these skills while setting your own schedule. This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your income but also positions you as a valuable mentor in the fashion industry.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could significantly supplement your income and potentially help you reach six figures as a fashion designer. By creating engaging content that showcases your design process, unique skills, and fashion expertise, you could attract a large audience. These viewers could convert into loyal customers and fans who might purchase your designs or hire you for consulting.
YouTube's established monetization system allows you to earn ad revenue once you meet the requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months. Additionally, you could explore other revenue streams such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own fashion courses or workshops. Leveraging YouTube's popularity and reach, you could build a substantial secondary income, ultimately pushing your earnings into the six-figure range.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
9. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course as a Fashion Designer could significantly boost your income by leveraging your specialized knowledge and skills. By identifying educational gaps within the fashion industry, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to eager learners. These courses can cover everything from garment construction and design principles to industry trends and marketing strategies.
With the flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures, launching an online course platform could provide a steady stream of passive income. Beyond the financial benefits, this venture allows you to share your passion and expertise with a wider audience while helping aspiring designers achieve their dreams. The startup costs are relatively low, and the potential for monetization is high, making this a promising avenue for entrepreneurial fashion designers aiming to make six figures.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
10. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could significantly bolster your income as a fashion designer by tapping into the ever-growing digital market. By curating engaging content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could attract brands looking to connect with your unique fashion-focused audience. You'll not only showcase your designs but also build a personal brand that can command lucrative sponsorship deals and collaborations.
Given that brands highly value influencers who have established credibility and a vast following, developing a strategic presence on social media could open up numerous revenue streams. As you share your expertise and style, you could monetize through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even your own fashion line, helping you reach that six-figure mark. Choosing a popular niche that resonates with your interests will be key to creating compelling content that keeps your audience engaged and brands interested.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
11. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could allow you to supplement your income as a fashion designer by showcasing your unique design perspective and industry knowledge to a broader audience. With 77% of internet users reading blogs, you could attract a significant following by offering valuable insights, fashion tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at your design process.
By consistently engaging with readers through blog posts and building a mailing list, you could create a loyal audience that trusts your expertise. This could open up multiple revenue streams such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and even selling your designs or courses online, allowing you to turn your passion into a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
