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Writer's pictureJillian Hackett

Creating Your Own Opportunity as a Fashion Design Student | Fashion Design Student Tips

In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of fashion, success often comes to those who take initiative and seize the opportunities available to them. One of the most powerful ways to do this as a fashion design student is by sharing your work—whether it’s a project, a finished garment, or even just your creative process. Putting your designs out there can lead to remarkable growth and open doors to scholarships, press coverage, and student showcases, all of which are essential for elevating your visibility and credibility in the industry.


By showcasing your designs, you expose your talent to the world and increase the likelihood of gaining recognition from key figures in the industry. This exposure can attract attention from scholarship committees, editors, and organizations that curate student showcases. Beyond that, it can connect you with other designers, mentors, and potential collaborators who can support your development and introduce you to further opportunities.

As a student, sharing your work on platforms such as Instagram, Behance, or a personal website allows you to build an online portfolio that is accessible to the wider world. Never underestimae the power of a LinkedIn post. Sharing your skills and work in a polished manner is critical because it lets you control your narrative, showing what inspires you, what your creative process looks like, and how your designs are evolving over time. One of the greatest things you can do to help yourself is showcase your ability and willingless to improve and grow, this means sharing your starting point.


Fashion design students and educators gathered in audience at student showcase award event.


Building Connections and Receiving Feedback

Presenting your work actively also means you’ll receive feedback that can be invaluable to your growth as a designer. Engaging with your audience, both online and offline, allows you to understand how your designs resonate and where you can refine your work. Being a strong presenter and communicator makes you a better designer. Being able to think objectively and share your work through a lens of improvement, allows you to be more intentional in your work and goals moving forward. This feedback loop helps you build confidence, while also showing industry professionals that you are serious about your craft. Networking through social media or by attending local fashion events can also lead to connections with people who could eventually mentor you or introduce you to internships, collaborations, or even full-time job offers. An eager attitude is sure to be well recieved when it is accomanied by the willingness to work hard and open mind to change.



Take Jillian, for Example (Hey, thats me!)

Take Jillian, for example. By sharing her work early in her design journey, she unlocked numerous opportunities as a college student. Her work led to presenting collections at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week, Austin Fashion Week, and Texas Fashion Week. In addition to these high-profile presentations, her designs were featured in several publications and she gained organic press coverage, which helped grow her label. Being open to feedback has been crtical in her experience, during school she was always on the look out for fashion design student tips, opportunities and resources. Looking for opportunities to grow her skills in design but also in areas to support it; photography, marketing, public relations and merchandising. Her story is a testament to the fact that dreams can indeed become a reality—if you take that first step and share your work. Whether it’s posting a behind-the-scenes reel of your design process or showcasing a final collection, every moment of visibility is a crucial step toward achieving your professional goals.



Photo of LJD pieces on cover of magazine.


Take the First Step

If you’re ready to unlock doors, create windows of opportunity and build a future in the fashion industry, start by showcasing your work. There has never been a more ideal time to promote yourself and expand your skillset in the process. Take advantage of the platforms available to you, don’t be afraid to share your creative process and designs with the world, and look to create your own opportunities and actively seek them out. The second page of google is a great place to find kick starting opportunities in my experience. Looking for fashion design student tips and resouces will assist you in becoming aware of different areas, paths and skills you need to develop. This exposure will not only help you grow as a designer but also help you create a network of support, mentors, and potential collaborators that can shape the trajectory of your career.


By being proactive and open to feedback, you’ll find that the opportunities for growth and recognition are truly endles, you never know what might be awaiting you in your future as a result of something you share today.


Elevate Your Fashion Career


If you're ready to take your fashion journey to the next level, consider applying for the Lillian Jenae Designs Mentorship Program. This unique 4-month experience provides one-on-one mentorship with an award-winning designer who will guide you through portfolio development, industry insights, and strategies for launching your career. You'll gain personalized feedback and access to exclusive resources that will help you stand out as a designer.



As a bonus, we're offering a FREE Fashion Networking Guide to help you start building valuable industry connections. The guide includes email templates, networking tips, and advice on following up after making contacts at events. Download the guide here.

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