Tips for Creating Fashion Portfolio for a Job Interview

Showcasing portfolios to get a dream job in the fashion industry is not a new concept. But there might be a lot of questions that pop up into your mind when you think of creating your portfolio...

• What is a Portfolio?
• Types of Fashion Portfolios
• How to create a Portfolio?
• Order in a Portfolio
• Tips to make a Portfolio better
• What do companies search for?
• Benefits of creating a Portfolio
• How to get noticed online?

• How lengthy can be my Portfolio?
• How many design collections should I include?
• What format should I choose? Digital or Tangible?

What is a Fashion Portfolio?

• Personal Portfolio:
  A personal portfolio includes all the design collections, you think are best in your entire experience as a Fashion Designer. This is the portfolio you carry for a job interview which exhibits all the skills you are exceptionally good at. Here you reveal all the categories you have specialized like Bridal Wear, Designer Wear, Party Wear, Swimwear, Casuals, Active wear etc...
• Specific Portfolio:
  It is prepared for a recruiter while applying for a particular job role. A specific portfolio is the one that a firm / recruiter might require after your first communication with them. In this type of portfolio, you should exhibit your best design collections that reflects the specific job role you have applied for.
  For example, if you are looking forward for a specific Job Role, make sure you include necessary segments in your portfolio such as:-
  • Fast Fashion
    Technical Drawings of any one complicated product such as Trousers or a Coat.
  • Head Designer
    As a Design Head you should focus on presenting your capabilities of managing a team. For this kind of job role, your portfolio should include your team's final design collection with photoshoot and pictures from the ramp.
  • Bridal Designer
    Add all your best design collections within the Bridal Theme with detailed specifications and fabric swatches.

• What are my strengths?
• What inspires me?
• How can I express my passion?
• What would impress the recruiter?
• What should it contain?
• What should you pay attention to?

• Decide the format
  First, finalize which format you want to go for? (Digital or Physical Book). If you have decided to go for a tangible book, you also have to finalize how you are going to bind it? Standard hard binding, accordion, loose sheets or being creative by hand tagging it are few options.
• Decide the Size
  It is completely your choice as there is no standard size for a portfolio. You can choose any size such as A3, A4, A5 or it can be of any shape such as rectangle or square.
• Digital Print or being Artistic
  Being Artistic is more eye-catching over digitally printed ones. You can use your creative skills to attain various effects using sand, flower, texture, fabric, wood etc. The most important point is to make it unique.
  
• Exploring Ideas
  Now comes, the time to finalize a unique idea by exploring various destinations.
• Analyzing & Conceptualizing the Storyline
  Try to connect your idea and your prototype design based on the facts you have explored. Create a brief story line to make the viewer curious about your collection.
• Grabbing Hands
  Once you have finalized with your idea, perform research for different materials, colors, fabric designs etc. Collect all the required materials such as color samples, sketches, fabric swatches, photos etc with reference to your design.
  
• Framing Mood Board
  Analyzing other portfolios helps us to get an idea about how to effectively organize our material. Now grab Scissors & Glue and create a beautiful collage with things you have gathered. You can also add physical items such as dried flowers, beads, yarns and shells. This helps to fill in the whole picture of your design inspiration, especially as it applies to textures.
• Technical Sketches
  For your portfolio to look more professional, include detailed technical sketches / techincal pack snippets to demonstrate that you have the clear idea of how the specification of the final garment would be. Add a few samples of construction, close-up sketches of embellishments, or artwork placement specs. Neatly arrange your fabric swatches with same sized and unfrayed edges.
• Prototype Design
  Few fashion illustrations (hand drawn or with the help of a digital software) could sum up things in a marvelous way. Also include the detailed color code used in your design.
  

  
• Capturing your Designs to Frames
  For a photoshoot, get pictures from all angles including close-up shots to highlight all relevant details.
• I'm Here
  Hey, you are almost done. So what next...? End the portfolio with a stunning end-cover with your contact information. Do not let the recruiters, flip through the entire portfolio to get your contact details.

Sequential Order of a Fashion Designer's Portfolio

• Cover Page - Grab Everyone's Attention
  Be innovative and make all eyes stare at a beautiful & creative Cover Page. An attractive Front Cover should provide a glimpse of what lies inside which would definitely increase the curiosity of the viewer to open and look inside. Put in those striking colors with innovative designs and always remember to keep it unique...
  

  

  

  
• Index Page
  Remember to use your creativity in the entire portfolio even in the index page, but do not make it too crowded.
  

  

  

  
• I, Me & Myself
  An up to date bio-data is a quick path to gain attention. Start with a brief introduction about yourself, but make sure you do not stretch it too long. The best way is to keep it short and simple, may be a maximum of 5 to 8 lines. If you are preparing your personal portfolio include details about yourself as a designer. Focus on highlighting all your achievements, experiences, seminars attended etc, which would be an added advantage. Providing reference of a faculty of your Fashion Institute is always better.
  

  

  

  
• Brief Intro about your Designs
  This section explains the objective, inspiration and the reason behind your design collections. It explains how your brain works, the visual research you have done and how you conceptualize your ideas into designs. Your introduction should be very specific of what the reader can find inside.
  Color & Design inspired from Red-bellied Black Snake

  Color Board created from the colors of the Snake

  Final output from the inspiration
• Mood Board - The Story Line
  Mood Boards are essential to explain the motivation behind your collections. It helps firms & recruiters to understand how your brain works and how innovative you are with those ideas. Adding images, fabric swatches, sketches, colours and textile palettes would be the best way to go for. One or two pages would be ideal for a mood board. A great mood board can be created by combining beautiful fabric swatches and color palettes. Mood Board is the key element which demonstrates that you have dedicated enough time for research and that you have a clear picture of what you are talking about.
  Mood Board inspired from Bathroom Tile Colors

  Mood Board inspired from Bubble Gum

  Mood Board inspired from Flowers & Dried Leaves

  Mood Board inspired from Lavender

  Mood Board inspired from Furniture, Table Lamp & Curtains

  Mood Board inspired from Rust & Pink Color

  Mood Board inspired from Sand

  Mood Board inspired from Wall & Carpets
• Technical Sketches
  Consider to include this segment with respect to the job role / company you are applying. You can either use a software like Adobe InDesign / Illustrator or it can also be hand drawn. Adding designs of extremely complicated products like Blazers, Trousers or including fine elements like fashion accessories can add a charm to your technical perspective. Firms which rely on fast fashion business would prefer to see accurate designs which can also be used to prepare prototype samples. Good technical sketches demonstrate that you are capable of conceptualizing new ideas into designs. Finally, do not forget to pen down short write-ups explaining the concept behind each design.
  

  

  

  

  
• Prototype Designs (Optional)
  In this section, you mould your ideas to visual representation by drawing the final look either by hand or an Illustrator. Use high quality drawings and photos of final collection. Use hand drawn silhouettes to demonstrate how your ideas look when styled with other garments. You can use inspirational images to bring the entire look and feel for your designs. Recruiters will be judging you based on these ideas whether your patterns are apt for their job role. You can also include the picture of accessories which would go perfect with it.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• Photoshoot
  Consider a photoshoot with models wearing your final collection rather than displaying it over a mannequin. Images with your collection over a mannequin does not feel professional.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• End Page
  Complete your portfolio with a really beautiful end page which ends up the whole story. Make sure this page leaves a really good impression on the viewers and they have something to remember.

Few Tips to make a Perfect Portfolio

• First Impression
  Always remember the old proverb - "The First Impression is the Best Impression", so begin with the design collection that would express about you as a creative individual. Make sure your portfolio showcases your thoughts, perception and creativity.
• Stack it Right
  The first and the most important aspect which comes in a Portfolio is the order of presentation. Your first preference should be to logically organise your portfolio by projects. Find out two of your best collections. Place best collection at first and second best collection towards the end. This way you start with your best foot forward and end with a good impression.
• Keep it Handy
  The most common question when it comes to Portfolio preparation, most people ask "How long could it be?". There isn't a specific length as such. But make sure you do not clutter it too much. A potential employer is not impressed with outdated work. The most important thing to keep in mind is to add your best work and the most recent design. Sit back and get feedback from your friends and relatives about your work and include those which are appreciated by most.
• Tangible v/s Digital Portfolios
  Other frequently asked question about portfolio by many fashion aspirants is that "Which format should I create?".
  Many of us think that a hand held book as a portfolio is quite outdated, so it is better to go for a digital one. Recruiters always prefer your offline portfolio when you walk in for an interview. Infact, a digital one is more portable and could be beneficial while you apply online for a job.
• Stay with the Latest Trend
  Recruiters are always in search of latest and trendy designs. Employers are looking forward for innovative designs which can be appealing for new consumers and could steal the market. Do not bore them with old outdated designs.
• Grab it Tight
  Your portfolio is the greatest asset in your fashion career. You have spent many years to acquire the skills necessary to become a fashion designer. A reputed firm would always respect your work and would never ask to keep your portfolio with them. In case, the recruiter demands for your portfolio, you can tell them that you would send the digital version of it.
• Blank Space
  Blank spaces in a portfolio are not very impressive. Try to minimise the blank spaces or you could fill them with small designs.
• The X Factor (Surprise Element)
  Don't reveal your work completely. Always try to add a suspense element and make the viewer more curious about certain things.
• Rework, Rework & Rework
  Give maximum effort and provide attention to the minute details. In case of printed portfolios, take care of the quality of printing.

What do Companies / Recruiters search in your Portfolio?

• Are your Designs unique?
• How commercially successful your designs will be?
• Originality in your Designs?
• Your detailed Bio-data

Benefits of Creating a Fashion Portfolio

• Impress Potential Recruiters and Companies
• It acts as a Virtual Calling Card
• Digital Portfolio boosts your online presence
• Fashion Portfolio is considered as an Expressive Resume

How to get noticed Online?

• LinkedIn
• Behance