“Freelance is a great way to inspire new ideas and ignite a team to come up with a new product or service,” says Celeste Gudas, 24 Seven President.“In this economy and during uncertain times, companies can still request and get the best talent. 24 seven continues to attract the top global talent companies need to impact their bottom line.” Lynn Furge sat down with the number one fashion recruiting agency to find out options for those fashion industry professionals that are looking to fit into the shrinking marketplace.
Lynn Furge: The Fashion Industry is known for over worked designers in time crunches of deadlines and up-to-the minute changes before their “big show” how can basic freelance help alleviate some of the stress?
24Seven: Thanks to the current economy, there is a rich pool of highly skilled workers that are available and eager for work. These people know the rules of the game, have worked for big brands and can hit the ground running. With assets like this available, why would anyone try to tackle important make-or-break events with a skeleton crew when they have attractive alternatives available to them?
LF: In terms of freelance relationships, what aspects of freelance talent make bringing extra hands on board more than just “hiring a temp”?
24/7: Industry staffing firms like 24 Seven make it a point to source experienced, highly creative talent to meet a clients’ needs. We stake our reputation on working with the best and having a talent pool of people who thrive on change and can jump into a project with energy and enthusiasm. These aren’t clock watchers; in many instances they’re game changers which puts them well outside the league of temps.
LF: Obviously freelance staff is more cost effective than hiring a full time employee. What advice can you give an independent designer that thinks that even one extra set of hands is a stretch on their budget? (you can speak to having more time for marketing, shopping the collection to showrooms, picking a freelancer that has strengths where your weaknesses lie and the fact that no one can do it all themselves)
24/7: First I’d ask: How much is your brand worth to you? The competition is fierce and the weak will fall even quicker than before. By taking the long view on staffing choices smaller shops can cut corners elsewhere and use outside freelance talent in measured ways to stay competitive, whether it’s on the marketing and sales front or in the design and project management aspect of the product cycle. Whatever the case, a flexible workforce strategy can solidly deliver competitive advantages.
LF: For the independent solo designer what gains would they garner by becoming a freelancer?
24/7: The benefits are many especially for those personality types that thrive on the stimulation of change. Working with a staffing firm eliminates all the negotiation and billing that an independent freelancer has to juggle and guarantees a paycheck, benefits and training. Assignments can take you to work for some of the biggest brands in the business, which is great for your resume and portfolio. Often these freelance assignments lead to permanent gigs too.
LF: What do you feel freelancing in the fashion industry will teach both employer and employee further about the fashion industry?
24/7: From the employer side of the equation, the more progressive companies will see that they can get access to world-class, game-changing talent that they couldn’t otherwise afford to hire, but can use on a freelance basis. From the employee perspective, the current market is forcing people to move out of their comfort zone into new and different situations. This is definitely a sign of growth, which almost always amounts to a more rounded professional.
LF: Let’s speak about international talent… when entering New York City either a couple of weeks before fashion week to show, or to display in a tradeshow marketplace, why would it be more beneficial to work with freelance staff vs. flying an entire team out to complete the work?
24/7: New York is one of the great fashion hubs of the world and fertile ground for freelancers. Having a strategic plan that includes people on the ground that really know the game and get the venue can offer definite advantages. It’s done all the time. A company will save thousands of dollars in travel, etc… by using local talent. 24 Seven has been staffing Fashion Week for International brands for many years and definitely makes the hiring process easier for management.
LF: How specific can an employer be about the type of freelance talent they need, if they need a pattern cutter for two weeks only would this be possible?
24/7: Absolutely. Scale and timing are the main benefits for employers using freelancers. You get the help you need for only the time you need it and not a moment longer.
LF: As the work force changes and the economy shifts, what place do you feel freelance staffers will have on the overall work force of the fashion industry?
24/7: A scalable workforce offers employers real flexibility and cost savings. Industry players of all size and scope may realize that they can get by with much smaller staffs and reap the benefits of world-class talent without the overhead. It’s a different mindset to be sure, but nothing like a market crash to get people thinking about different ways to get the job done.
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