If you’ve ever looked at the fashion industry and thought, “I’d love to do that... but I didn’t go to design school,” I see you. I’ve been you. And I’m here to tell you something important:

You don’t have to follow the traditional path to create something unforgettable.

When most people think of fashion designers, they picture someone in a chic studio in Paris or New York, sketching away in a leather-bound notebook, surrounded by bolts of fabric and decades of training. That wasn’t me. I couldn’t sketch. Still can’t. I didn’t have a degree in design, I majored in Japanese and business. I didn’t intern for a legendary fashion house. But I did have vision. I did have drive. I did have a wild love for color, collaboration, and creativity.

And that was enough to start something real - SpiritHoods

The iconic PETA approved and award winning animal inspired fashion brand, started in a living room in Portland, OR with three friends, one wild idea, and zero experience in the fashion world. We didn’t know what we were doing, but we had passion. We had purpose. We wanted to create something that made people feel bold, connected, and gave back to the animals. Over time, life shifted, business got hard, and one by one, my partners moved on to other things. Today, I run SpiritHoods solo - not because that was the plan, but because I believed in what we were building too much to let it fade. Sometimes there’s wisdom in being the last man standing and following something through till the end (if there is one), and sometimes you're just stubborn ass. Full Disclosure I’m not entirely sure which one I am at the moment.

The road hasn’t been easy, and the truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out to begin, or at any stage in your journey. You just need to take the most intelligent action you can.

So how’d we get here?

Before we dive deeper, if you want a behind-the-scenes look at how we actually make things - the nitty-gritty of production, timelines, and getting product from sketchpad (or lack thereof) to warehouse - head over to our Production Page. It’s where the real work happens.

You Don’t Have to “Be a Designer” to be a Designer.

I never called myself a designer… until one day I realized my team was calling me that, so was the News, Social Media, friends, customers, and so many others. I still suffer from imposter syndrome about it. I was on the design team from the beginning though, and in fact I designed some of the companies best performing products out the gate. But it wasn’t until I hired Janie Marshall, whom I poached from Free People in 2012, who taught me what design really meant.

She taught me to observe and to trust my instincts, my fascinations, and my eye. She also said something I will never forget: "You’re rarely designing something never before seen. You’re really pulling from the incredible designs that already exist - and making them yours. That’s what design is." Those words gave me the courage to go after it. And I did, I found my lane, stayed in it, and have cultivated it year after year. My obsession? Animals… and I mean all things ANIMAL. All I can think of when it comes to design or even product development is related to Animals. I don’t deviate from that core competency much, and it makes me pretty happy.

When we hit our first big downturn (thanks to the economy and knockoff culture), we had to downsize. We couldn’t afford to keep Janie, and I stepped into the role she had helped prepare me for and my background in Production and manufacturing prepared me for. Not because I was the most qualified - but because I had absorbed everything I could while running production and learning alongside her. And because I was willing to figure it out on the fly.

I didn’t sketch. I still don’t. I designed by feel, by instinct, by color theory, by knowing how things move and drape and look on real people. And more than anything, I did it by listening - to my team, to my customers, and to the voice inside me that said: This is amazing, and it’s not about me.

Designing is a Team Sport (Leave the Ego at the Door)

Here’s the thing no one tells you: design isn’t about being the star of the show. It’s about building something beautiful together. I never say “I designed that.” I say “we did.” Because it’s always we.

Ego might get you applause, but it’ll kill collaboration. And in this industry, nothing great happens without a killer team - from fabric vendors to sewers to photographers to my amazing production manager that magically makes things happen when I feel all is lost.

The title “designer” doesn’t mean you have to carry the whole thing alone. The best part of this journey for me has been the collaboration - the way ideas spark when creative people with different skills come together. It’s not about being a solo genius - it’s about being a great listener, a strong communicator, and a humble leader. That outperforms solo genius 100% of the time.

Creativity + Commerce = Where Fashion Really Lives

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned? Fashion isn’t just art. It’s business. The biggest difference between an artist and a designer is this: artists create for the sake of expression. Designers create with their customers in mind. That means we design within a framework, a box, and that distinction is VERY important.

At SpiritHoods, we’ve had pieces that were absolutely wild - made just because we loved them. But over time, I’ve learned to design not just for myself, but for the collective. The best-performing pieces are the ones that blend creativity with wearability. The ones that help people feel bold, but also comfortable expressing themselves.

If you want to make fashion your career - not just your passion - that’s the muscle you have to develop: the ability to filter your artistic instincts through the lens of your customer. It’s hard. But it’s also where the real magic lives and not coincidently, the money.

You Can Start Right Where You Are

I didn’t take the traditional route. I didn’t have connections in the industry. I didn’t intern for a big designer. I didn’t even know how to talk like a designer in the beginning. But maybe that’s exactly why I was able to build something that stood out.

I came into fashion sideways - through storytelling, production, and community-building. I followed the thread of what lit me up. I paid attention to what people responded to. And slowly, piece by piece, we built SpiritHoods into a globally recognized brand. Not because we had it all figured out - but because we started anyway.

If you’re reading this right now, thinking “I’m too late” or “I missed my chance” or “I’m not qualified” - I want to stop you right there.

You are not behind. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Cliche as hell I know, but there’s a lot of truth to that statement. And just because it’s overused doesn’t mean it’s not true.
The path you’re on - no matter how unconventional, chaotic, or delayed it feels - is powerful. It's valuable. And it might be the exact story that sets your brand apart from everyone else.

You don’t need permission. You don’t need a degree. You DO need to stop waiting for perfection or someone to tell you you're ready. Because I’m telling you right now: you’re never ready. That’s not what being an entrepreneur is all about. Taking leaps. Gotta train that muscle and believe in yourself. Think about how many wild people made it onto the music stage? Do you know how many times Colonel Sanders who started KFC was told “No” when trying to launch the Iconic Fast Food Chain KFC? 1,009 Times. And there’s a long list of entrepreneurs from every industry that had the same experience.

So start with one idea. One prototype. One call. One conversation. That’s how all of this began for me - and for so many others who felt just like you do right now.

Ready to Build Your Dream? TGO Is Here for You

I eventually started TGO - The Growth Operative, to do just that - help entrepreneurs at various levels build. I’ve been through the fire. I know what it feels like to chase something that doesn’t have a roadmap. I know what it’s like to bootstrap a dream, to learn by doing, to cry over millions of dollars lost, and scream for joy after gaining millions.

TGO isn’t some glossy, out-of-touch agency trying to sell you a cookie-cutter path to success. We’re a consultancy, we work on a different model. We have a track record of continued success. We’ve built brands from scratch. We’ve solved production nightmares at 2am. We’ve created packaging in our living rooms and made collections that walk red carpets - all without waiting for anyone’s permission.

Whether you need help launching your first piece, refining your vision, sourcing manufacturers, storytelling your brand, or scaling with heart - TGO is your dedicated team.

We don’t just consult.
We co-create.
We listen.
We help you build a foundation.

This work is personal to me. If you’ve got fire, we’ve got fuel. If you’ve got a dream, we've got a blueprint. If you’ve got a voice, we want to help you amplify it.

So if you've been sitting on that idea, that sketch, that whisper that says “I think I could do this…” - let this be your sign.

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Let’s build something bold. Let’s make your vision real.
Let’s grow this thing. Together.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Fashion Belongs to the Bold

Being a fashion designer is not for the faint of heart. It's a career that demands imagination, business savvy, and relentless drive. But for those bold enough to pursue it, the rewards are unmatched.

If you're serious about turning your passion into a thriving brand, you're not alone - and you don't have to do it alone. Latif at The Growth Operative (TGO) has been in the fashion industry since 2009. He’s an award-winning designer whose collections have sold in top-tier retail stores and been worn by more celebrities around the world than we could fit on one blog. With a deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of fashion, Latif continues to thrive and evolve in a fast-changing industry. He’s here to help emerging designers like you launch successful clothing lines, grow your brand, and step confidently into entrepreneurship. Whether you need mentorship, guidance, or a partner who truly gets it, reach out to Latif and let TGO help you bring your vision to life.

Share this article with someone who dreams of being a designer. If you're looking for a partner to help grow your brand, contact us today.

For a deeper look inside the world of production at a clothing line, check these other blogs out from TGO: Garments on Hanger (GOH): The Ultimate Guide to Efficient Shipping, Storage, and Fulfillment , Garment On Hanger Freight & Shipping Containers: A Complete Guide to Smart Shipping for Fashion Brands, and The Ultimate Guide & Directory for Garment On Hanger (GOH) Warehousing

What It’s Really Like to Be a Fashion Designer - when you didn’t go to design school