This blog post ought to be better titled what should be in your design portfolio.
As a fashion student preparing to break into the industry, having a well-constructed online portfolio is essential. Curating a communicative digital presence of your work is vital to communicating your longterm goals and body of work. Your portfolio is your opportunity to showcase your creativity, skills, and unique design aesthetic to potential employers, collaborators, or clients. It can serve as a resource for creating social media content, a LinkedIn presence and so much more. It’s often the first impression many people will have of your work, so ensuring that it is both professional and reflective of your personal brand is key.
Here’s a breakdown of the essential elements every fashion student should include in their online portfolio:
1. Introduction or About Me Section
The "About Me" section is your chance to introduce yourself and tell your story. Potential employers, educators and clients want to know who you are beyond your designs, so use this space to share your background, your passion for fashion, and what drives your creativity. *I reccomend having a blend of professional and personable imagery on this page. (Ex: A polished headshot paired with images of you in studio!)
What to Include:
Your Background: A brief introduction to your journey in fashion design, what inspired you to enter the field, and any educational or professional highlights.
Your Design Philosophy: What defines your approach to design? Mention your aesthetic, favorite techniques, and how you approach creating a collection.
Contact Information: Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by providing your email, links to your social media, and any other relevant contact information.
This section should give the reader a personal connection to you as a designer and entice them to explore your work further.
2. Showcase Your Best Work in Your Projects Section
Your portfolio is only as strong as the work you include, so make sure you are curating it thoughtfully. Focus on quality over quantity—choose the projects that best represent your skills, creativity, and versatility as a designer. Another important concept to remember is to showcase growth in your projects, this is why I advocate for creating your portfolio presence as you go!
What to Include:
Completed Collections: Highlight full fashion collections you’ve created, from initial concept sketches to final pieces.
Concept Development: Show your design process from inspiration to execution. Include mood boards, sketches, fabric swatches, and anything else that illustrates how your ideas evolve into a final product.
Diverse Projects: If you’ve worked on a variety of projects, such as sustainable design, menswear, accessories, or print design, be sure to showcase a range that demonstrates your versatility. Think about balancing in-class work with outside projects/ experiences!
Each project should include a brief description, explaining the inspiration behind it, the techniques you used, and any challenges you overcame during the process. Let your work tell a story. Here's a quick example - this can also be a subtitle for your work + caption as needed: "Apparel design portfolio, current project in progress, featuring developmental work towards my senior thesis collection to be completed in the Spring 2024. Project portfolio features examples of; trend analysis, mood board, original print design, textile selection, color story, rendered illustrations, technical flats and coordinating line sheets."
3. CAD and Technical Skills
In today’s fashion industry, technical skills are just as important as creative ones. Having proficiency in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tools is a huge asset, and your portfolio should demonstrate these skills.
What to Include:
Technical Flats: Include well-done technical flat drawings that show your ability to translate creative designs into clear, production-ready garments.
Pattern Drafting: Show examples of digital or hand-drawn patterns, and include any notable pattern-making projects.
3D Renderings: If you have experience with 3D garment rendering, showcasing these skills will make your portfolio stand out, especially with brands focusing on innovative tech.
These technical assets show potential employers that you not only have the creative vision but also the practical skillset and ability to execute it.
4. Lookbooks or Editorial Shoots
Nothing brings your designs to life like professional photography. Including lookbooks or editorial photoshoots of your work helps potential employers or clients envision your pieces off the runway or classroom setting.
What to Include:
Professional Images: Ensure your images are high quality and showcase your pieces from multiple angles. Invest in professional photography or collaborate with photographers and models to create polished visuals.
Styling and Concept: Make sure the photoshoot is styled in a way that complements your design aesthetic. Editorial shoots should reflect your brand’s storytelling, while lookbooks should focus more on presenting the clothing in a wearable, real-world way - lookbooks are a fantastic tool for showing a merchandise perspective applied to your design choices.
Presenting your work through imagery allows viewers to connect with your designs on a more emotional level, seeing how the pieces look on the body and in real-world contexts.
5. Resume and Skills
Potential employers will likely want to see a resume outlining your experience, education, and skills, especially if you’re using your portfolio to apply for internships or jobs. This should be easy to find and accessible directly through your portfolio site. I recommend putting this as a button on your portfolio home page, its quick, to the point, and very accesible for someone moving through your site quickly!
What to Include:
Educational Background: Highlight any relevant fashion degrees or certifications, as well as any workshops or additional courses.
Professional Experience: Any internships, collaborations, or freelance projects should be listed. Even part-time retail jobs in fashion can demonstrate industry knowledge.
Skills: Include specific skills relevant to fashion design, such as draping, sewing, pattern making, and software proficiencies (Adobe Illustrator, CLO 3D, etc.).
Including a downloadable PDF of your resume is helpful, so hiring managers can keep a copy on hand after visiting your site.
6. Press or Mentions
If your work has been recognized in any way—whether by school awards, mentions in magazines, blogs, or showcases—be sure to include it. This helps to support your standing as a student and upcoming designer and showcases your growing reputation in the fashion world.
What to Include:
Magazine Features: Any articles, interviews, or mentions in publications.
Awards and Competitions: Highlight any accolades you’ve received during your time in school or throughout your career. - This can be placement in a scholarship competition or recognition for your independent work!
Runway Shows: If your work has been featured in student showcases or professional runway shows, include images or video clips along with details about the event.
This section provides tangible and industry vetted evidence of your talents, capbailities, and creativity. It can very well be the factor that sets you apart from other candidates.
7. Contact Page and Social Media Links
Ensure you have a dedicated contact page where potential collaborators, employers, or clients can easily reach out to you. Place this page in your website header - Additionally, be sure to include links to your social media accounts where you regularly showcase your work, such as Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. Have multiple locations throughout your website/ portfolio where viewers can connect with you!
*Something fun to do is invite those viewing your portfolio to connect on LinkedIn!
What to Include:
Email Form or Direct Email Link
Social Media Links: Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn profiles where your design work is featured.
Newsletter Signup (Optional): If you want to stay connected with people visiting your portfolio, consider including a newsletter signup.
This makes it easy for interested parties to follow up and engage with your work long after they’ve browsed your portfolio. Having this information readilyu available and accessible can be proven effective.
A Well-Balanced, Thoughtful, Intentionally Crafted Portfolio
Your online portfolio should be a reflection of your personal brand and showcase not only your best work but also your growth as a designer. With a well-rounded selection of projects, professional photography, technical skills, and a clear presentation of your design aesthetic, you can create a portfolio that leaves a lasting impression.
Take time to curate your content, ensure your website is easy to navigate, and update it regularly to reflect your most current work. As a fashion student, your portfolio is your most important tool—let it tell the story of your journey, skills, and creative vision.
If your curious what my (Jillian) online portfolio looks like, feel free to check it out here and reach out should you have any questions!
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