JMitchellDesign

06/02/2026

For fashion designers and fashion students looking for ideas on where to go for fashion inspiration, I’ve just updated one of my most popular blog posts for 2026.

It covers:

✔ The best digital platforms for trend research
✔ Professional fashion forecasting tools
✔ Trade shows and real world research methods
✔ Free UK resources like public libraries and Libby
✔ Comp shopping in stores and online
✔ Streetwear and sneaker culture platforms

The focus is on turning inspiration into clear, professional design direction not just endless scrolling.

If you’re building collections, studying fashion, or developing a brand, this should be a really useful resource.

Read the full updated guide here:
👉 https://www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk/websites-and-tools-for-fashion-design/

Let me know if there are any great fashion research tools or platforms I’ve missed.

06/02/2026

Fashion design careers rarely move in straight lines.

I shared Sam Parkinson’s 90 Sec Interview on LinkedIn yesterday and it really summed up how careers in fashion design evolve.

Sarah Ashton also reminded me how often we’re told that once you go freelance, you never go back.

But in reality, most careers evolve far more fluidly.

I began in full time fashion design roles in the UK and Germany, learning my trade and building product at scale.

After that I spent around five years freelancing, working across different brands, including my own, and seeing the full journey from concept through to production.

My personal circumstances then changed and I returned to full time roles for another five years, before moving back into freelancing and running my own fashion design agency, which I’ve been doing since 2017.

It’s hard to plan every step in work and life.

Circumstances can change in work and life.
Opportunities often appear unexpectedly.
Careers evolve. Growth isn’t linear.

Fashion design careers evolve differently for everyone, and there’s no single right path.




—
I am a freelance fashion designer and help brands and start ups with fashion design, CADs, tech packs, sampling and manufacturing across activewear, sportswear and streetwear, with over 20 years of industry experience.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmitchell/
www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk

03/12/2025

If you are starting a fashion brand or planning your next collection, this short video gives a look at the type of work I create for clients across sportswear, activewear, streetwear and outdoor performance.

My design process is built around clarity and efficiency. Every project begins with direction, research and strong visual thinking, then moves into clean CADs, clear tech packs and production ready details. I work with founders, creators and established brands who need support turning ideas into real garments that factories can make without confusion.

Over the years I have designed for global names and supported many start ups who are building their first range. The goal is always the same: bring structure to the creative process, remove guesswork, and help brands move forward with confidence.

If you need help with trend work, CAD design, tech packs, sampling or manufacturing guidance, feel free to get in touch. My focus is on practical design solutions that meet real market needs and help you build something that lasts.

Thanks for taking a look. If you enjoy the video, give the page a follow. More design work, behind the scenes content and advice for new brands will be posted here.

07/05/2025

Throwback to where it all began.

Found this little gem from 2010 when I launched my own lifestyle brand Sloth. This tee was called I Scream, designed by the brilliant Starchild aka .

At the time, I’d just left a senior fashion designer role at Puma after five years and moved back to Brighton to start my own design agency and brand. It was a big leap—and a huge learning curve.

In the early days, freelance work came easily thanks to contacts at Adidas and Goose agency in London, where I worked on Timberland. Sloth was a creative outlet and I poured everything into it—design, branding, production. I loved the process, even though the brand never fully took off. The lessons were invaluable.

After a few years, freelance opportunities slowed down. It got tough. But looking back, those five years were incredible—I got to be truly creative, met amazing people, picked up new skills, and reconnected with family.

Then I travelled for a year before going back into full-time work at Next Sourcing in London as a denim deisgner. That time taught me something important: I knew too much to just be a designer. Marketing, sales, accounting, web design—I’d touched it all.

I took on another full time role designing football kits at Umbro in Manchester and then on 2017 I returned to freelancing, this time with a clear vision. I built a sustainable, successful business that draws on everything I learnt—from launching Sloth to working with global brands. And now I help others launch their fashion brands, avoiding the mistakes I made along the way.

—

Fashion design agency specialising in sportswear & activewear. Helping brands launch with clarity and creativity.
Visit www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk and blog www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk/blog/ for more.

05/05/2025

Good times. Wish I was back there.

04/02/2025

A project I worked on for Galatasaray football club, creating shirts for some of the Legends that played there

09/01/2025

12/11/2024

2D is so old skool…but I still love it!

As a designer who’s been in the game a while, I’m still drawn to 2D fashion CADs. I’ve thought about learning 3D many times, and while I admire the skills involved, I haven’t made the leap. For me, 2D CADs deliver what I need efficiently and effectively.

I see 2D and 3D as seperate disciplines, each with unique strengths. I’ll sometimes bring in a 3D designer to do renders at the end of the design phase. I will admit, I’m a bit envious of the digital patterns that can be made with programmes like Clo3d.

Speaking of designs… I’m gearing up to share my AW25 Sloth Collection and trend prediction. For those who don’t know, Sloth is my streetwear brand, first launched in 2010. It’s been in hibernation in my studio for a few years (living up to the “sloth” name), but lately, I’ve been revisiting my ideas and getting inspired.

I've designed a collection for AW25 which I will be showcasing on here to see what people think and to share my AW25 trend predictions.

For now, Sloth onky exists in the digital space, but who knows? If you’re interested in collaborating or using my designs, feel free to reach out. Or just follow along if you’d like to see what I’ve got in store and my latest trend insights!

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13/10/2024

AW2024 Fashion Walk: Manchester Meet-Up

I’m organising a store check in Manchester on Thursday 17th October, and will be focusing on sportswear, streetwear, and activewear. Whether you’re in the industry (students welcome too!) or just have a passion for fashion and photography, come join me for a day of trend spotting and inspiration.

Meet-up details:

Time: 9.30am meet outside Selfridges (look for me in my blue Adidas beanie). We’ll kick off store visits at 10am sharp—don’t be late!

Where: Manchester City Centre, hitting stores like:

Selfridges
Nike
End.
North Face
Harvey Nichols
Canada Goose
Patagonia
Rapha
…and more.

I’ll be focusing on sportswear, technical activewear, trims and fabrics. but it would be great if others focused on womenswear or kidswear too. I’ll also be doing some people-watching for street-style inspiration, so let’s get creative!

It’s going to be a semi-relaxed day with a packed itinerary. We’ll break for lunch, and maybe grab a quick drink afterwards. I’ll be taking photos, making notes, and sharing my insights. It would be lovely to share ideas and meet new faces in the process.

Interested?

Drop me a DM, and I’ll add you to our WhatsApp group for coordination. UK-based only (unless you’re catching a flight!).

Let’s get out there and see what’s happening in rainy Manchester. Check the weather—it may get rearranged if it’s too wet.

If you can’t make it, why not do your own city walk and share your findings?
We can build a trend resource together!

Hope to see you there!

Jon

www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk

13/10/2024

AW2024 Fashion Walk: Manchester Meet-Up

I’m organising a store check in Manchester on Thursday 17th October, and will be focusing on sportswear, streetwear, and activewear. Whether you’re in the industry (students welcome too!) or just have a passion for fashion and photography, come join me for a day of trend spotting and inspiration.

Meet-up details:

Time: 9.30am meet outside Selfridges (look for me in my blue Adidas beanie). We’ll kick off store visits at 10am sharp—don’t be late!

Where: Manchester City Centre, hitting stores like:

Selfridges
Nike
End.
North Face
Harvey Nichols
Canada Goose
Patagonia
Rapha
…and more.

I’ll be focusing on sportswear, technical activewear, trims and fabrics. but it would be great if others focused on womenswear or kidswear too. I’ll also be doing some people-watching for street-style inspiration, so let’s get creative!

It’s going to be a semi-relaxed day with a packed itinerary. We’ll break for lunch, and maybe grab a quick drink afterwards. I’ll be taking photos, making notes, and sharing my insights. It would be lovely to share ideas and meet new faces in the process.

Interested?

Drop me a DM, and I’ll add you to our WhatsApp group for coordination. UK-based only (unless you’re catching a flight!).

Let’s get out there and see what’s happening in rainy Manchester. Check the weather—it may get rearranged if it’s too wet.

If you can’t make it, why not do your own city walk and share your findings?

We can build a trend resource together!

Hope to see you there!

Jon

www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk

08/10/2024

Who Should You Hire to Create a Fashion Brand?

You can’t do it all and that’s the reality. Building a successful fashion brand depends on assembling the right team. But where should you invest your money?

First, consider your strengths. Many successful brands aren't built by designers but by marketers and sales experts. An amazing product or idea is irrelevant if no one knows about it.

It’s also important to remember that building a fashion brand takes time. Between product creation, design reviews, and logistics, the hours will add up. You may need 12 months from concept to delivery, and the man hours required can be staggering.

So, with limited resources, who should you hire first?

1. Fashion Developer – This is essential. Whether part-time or full-time, a developer will handle sourcing, sampling, quality control, and factory management. This will save you countless hours and multiple headaches.

2. Freelance Fashion Designer – Unless you're launching hundreds of styles each year, hiring a freelance designer is a smart move. You’ll get top-level design expertise at a fraction of the cost.

3. Marketing and Sales – A solid marketing strategy is crucial. Knowing your target audience, sales channels, and price points is essential for brand survival. Design your collections with this knowledge in mind. Knowing a few influences won’t cut it, hire a marketing specialist or distributor to build a real strategy.

4. Website and SEO Specialist – Planning to sell direct to consumer? A well-designed website and SEO expert are non-negotiable to ensure your brand is seen.

The bottom line? Start with a fashion developer to ensure product quality and timely delivery. Bring in a designer, marketing team, and tech specialists as needed. Strategic hiring is crucial for your brand’s long-term success. If you can’t fit these roles into your budget, it’s time to rethink whether running a fashion brand is the right fit for you.

If you need the best freelance fashion designer get in touch 🙂

Www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk