Hello Aspirant,

There are two types of portfolios and it’s important the two don’t get mixed up. There’s your Personal Portfolio which showcases your full experience as a fashion designer and includes all the collections you’re proud of. Then there’s a Specific Portfolio which is what you prepare when you’re applying for a role. This portfolio is tailored to the role you want and is shared with the recruiter to see if you’re the right candidate to be referred for an interview.

Here are some more details about the two types of portfolio:

Designer Portfolio type 1: Personal Portfolio

Your personal portfolio is what you take to an interview. It includes collections you have created during your time as a designer and demonstrates the skills you have perfected. You may specialise in one category, for example knitwear, which means your personal portfolio will express this. Or if you have experience in a variety of design and trend areas this should be exhibited throughout.

Designer Portfolio type 2: Specific Portfolio

A specific portfolio is one that a recruiter or company may ask you to share after an initial discussion about a role. This portfolio is what you create to help you secure an interview. It’s not what you take to the interview. You need to showcase your best collections that reflect the type of role you’re going for. For example, if the position is for jersey, your specific portfolio will show your very best jersey design work.

Every type of portfolio needs to follow the same format:

• a brief introduction
• concept mood boards
• and your designs

If you’re applying for a fast-fashion role you should also include a technical drawing of a complicated item (such as a coat or trousers) to showcase your skill.

If you’re after a Head Designer Role then your portfolio will of course be different. As Head Designers manage a team of designers (and don’t design), your portfolio will need to show how your team’s final collections were created, and include catwalk and photoshoot images.

1. Start with a brief introduction

Don't make your introduction too long, work to a maximum of seven lines. It should explain the reason, purpose and inspiration behind your collections and what the reader of your portfolio can expect to find inside. If you’re writing an introduction for your Personal Portfolio then it can include a bit more about you as a designer – but don’t go overboard with lots of text. Keep it short.

2. Include concept mood boards

Mood boards are important to explain the inspiration behind your collections. This will help recruiters and companies see how you work and how creative you are. Include pictures, fabric swatches, drawings, and colour and textile palettes. One or two pages dedicated to your concepts will be suffice, anymore and your portfolio is at risk of being too long.

3. Showcase your fashion designs

Showcase your designs through high-quality drawings and photos of your final collections. Use hand-drawn silhouettes, demonstrate how your designs look when they’re styled with other garments, and include inspirational images to bring the entire look and feel of your collection together.

For high-end luxury brands, employers will expect to see sketched silhouettes of your final designs. However, fast-fashion companies will also want to see your designs created with Illustrator or InDesign, alongside your drawings.

It’s essential you include your very best work when revealing your designs. This is what employers will be looking at to gauge whether your style and skills are right for their company or not.

4. Share technical drawings

Technical drawings do not have to be included in your portfolio, however if you’re applying for a fast fashion role it’s highly advised you do to stand out above other candidates. Technical drawings can be drawn by hand, however it would be better to provide drawings created in Illustrator or InDesign. This is because fast fashion businesses require designers to provide extremely accurate designs to suppliers so they can prepare prototype samples. There’s no point providing a simple technical design; show off your best skills by demonstrating you can draw more difficult specifications like coats, trousers, bags or shoes.

5. Keep your fashion portfolio to 10 pages long

The length of a fashion designer’s portfolio for a job is a question asked a lot. There’s no set rule, however it’s essential to not include too much. Your Personal Portfolio can be whatever length you like, but make sure you only include your most recent and very best work. A recruiter or potential employer will not be interested in work you did over 10 years ago. Your Specific Portfolio should only be around 10-13 pages long. It should be extremely tailored to the role you’re going for and you should cherry pick your top work.

6. Change your portfolio for fast-fashion and luxury design jobs

Creating a portfolio for a fast-fashion brand

Your portfolio must shout ‘commercial’. It’s important to express your creativity, however commerciality is what fast-fashion companies will be looking for. You need to show that you understand your target customer, the industry, and that your designs can be produced on mass.

Technical drawing skills are also a must. You, the designer, will be providing technical drawings to suppliers to enable them to produce prototype samples, which then go onto mass production.

7. Have an eye-catching front cover and use colour

There’s nothing worse than a portfolio with a blank front cover. Be creative and make your portfolio stand out with a striking front page.You want a recruiter and employer to feel impelled to open it. It’s essential your portfolios are full of colour too. Don’t try and be creative with black and white tones, colour is what recruiters and businesses want to see.

8. Create a digital or online version of your portfolio

9. Don’t include photos of mannequins wearing your designs

10. Always include your recent work

10. Always include your recent work