Meet Candice Stokes

We were lucky to catch up with Candice Stokes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Candice, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

Burnout snuck up on me the first time I tried to do everything myself. I launched an ethical cut-and-sew brand solo –designing, sewing, marketing, fulfilling orders — all while underpaying myself in the name of sustainability. The irony? I wasn’t being sustainable with my own energy or income.

What helped me shift was giving myself permission to not be a one-woman factory. I started freelancing as a technical fashion designer, which allowed me to focus on the parts of fashion I love most like construction, collaboration, and supporting other small brands.

Now I work with emerging designers and sustainable clothing brands to bring their ideas to life through clear tech packs, thoughtful product development, and a deep respect for time, materials, and human effort. I still work hard, but I build in rest, community, and (this is new) actual weekends. Burnout taught me to treat myself like a collaborator, not just labor.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a freelance fashion designer, mainly focusing on technical design for sustainable and small-batch brands. That means I help people bring their clothing ideas to life — I do tech packs, flat sketches, product development, and I’m often the person clients call when they’re ready to stop guessing and start making things the right way.

I used to work full-time while freelancing on the side, squeezing in client calls after work and doing CAD drawings at midnight. It wasn’t easy, but it let me build up a business I actually believe in — one that supports designers who care about ethics, good fit, and quality production. This year, I’m taking the leap to make freelancing my full-time thing. I just turned 35, I’m planning a move, and I’m traveling more to connect with factories and artisans, especially in places like Mexico City.

I’m also (finally) starting a YouTube channel where I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes of my process, advice for new designers, and the real talk no one gives you when you’re trying to start a clothing line. It’s all part of this bigger shift — I’m moving toward work that feels aligned, intentional, and sustainable for me, not just the industry.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Honestly, working at a fast fashion HQ was what kicked off my whole journey. It showed me everything I didn’t want — the pace, the waste, the way people and materials were treated. It pushed me to start making again, and to build a career where I could support brands that care about doing things differently.

The three biggest things that shaped my path?

Learning through failure. I’ve launched things that flopped. I’ve taken on too much. I’ve undercharged and overworked myself. But every misstep taught me something. If you want to build something real, you’ve got to be willing to mess up, learn fast, and keep going.

Wearing all the hats. Especially when you’re just starting out — doing every role yourself teaches you what good work looks like. If you’re going to be the boss, you need to understand what each job actually involves. That way, when you do bring people in, you’ll know whether they’re helping you move forward or just making noise.

Staying curious. I’ve worked as a patternmaker, a tailor, a designer, a product developer. I’ve sewn hundreds of garments and sat in meetings with huge companies. That curiosity — that constant “what if I tried this?” — is what keeps my work evolving and aligned with my values.

If you’re just starting out, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Make things. Test ideas. Pay attention to what excites you and what drains you. The clarity will come from doing, not just thinking.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who’s serious about bringing their clothing ideas to life — but also cares about how it’s made. I work best with small brands, designers, or even creatives from other industries who are launching something thoughtful, sustainable, and design-forward. They might not know everything about production yet (that’s my job), but they’re committed to doing it right.

They’re usually values-driven — ethical, low-waste, or just deeply intentional about who they’re making clothes for. And they’re not afraid of the learning curve. They’re excited to collaborate, open to feedback, and ready to invest in the process.

Basically, if you’ve got a clear vision but need help getting it made — I’m your person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.candicestokes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicestokes.designs/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicestokesdesigns
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CandiceStokesDesigns

Image Credits

Gregory Hodge – Littlebull_4u Photoshoot – designed, cut + sewn by Candice
YungBld Agency – for Educated Mess Product shoot – designed, cut + sewn by Candice