Fashion Portfolio: Types, How to Make and Importance
Shubham Anil Jain
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Bangalore, India
Email: shubhamajain125@gmail.com
What is Fashion Portfolio?
The collection of all the samples made and designed by a fashion designer is known as fashion portfolio. It is a way to showcase the collection of works and designs before a potential client. A fashion portfolio is very necessary for fashion designer and consists of several important components. It is suggested that, the introduction to a portfolio must not be a deep introduction of the designer, but it should highlights the inspiration and purpose of the collection. Although, it should be clear and understandable what type of designs the client can expect to find in the portfolio. A good fashion design portfolio consists of many aspects such as fashion illustrations, an inspiration or mood board with textile swatches, flat sketches; “floats”, and CADs.
Fig: Fashion portfolio
How to Create a Fashion Design Portfolio? The some of the important tips and making techniques of fashion design portfolio are as follows:
1. At first select a theme and make an inspiration board according to theme.
2. With the help of the inspiration theme now create a mood board. Before starting the work, always research about the latest fashion trends, color, and work backwards.
3. Then, add various related samples, assemble them by collection, color, season etc.
4. Then arrange all the works so that similar projects are together and that the sequence is; Research material (be it sketch book or drawn sheets) which is the best design development sheets, then the final chosen range or collection or product.
5. In next step, then select the best design from the various illustration. Include the sketch work in fashion portfolio. Sketches done by hand or through digital mode, like illustrator, CAD to express down your ideas.
6. Now go for developing the dress pattern. It is seen that, pattern cutting as well as the highly important skill of ability to ensure right interpretation.
7. Then, select the fabric according to the theme. Also finalize the ornamentation technique such as embroidery, block, tie dye, hand stitch, appliqué etc.
8. Create a board by illustrator and highlights the pictures of dress parts, designs, pieces, models, jewelry and accessories etc.
9. Then start the photo shoot by the professional photographer. Try to avoid any unprofessional images/photo shoots in the fashion portfolio.
10. A portfolio can be made in any size that works for the content – A4, A3 etc. One should also create a digital version of the fashion portfolio.
11. To highlight the fashion design work, include any images of the finished garment. This will include complete attire of the style.
Types of Fashion Portfolios:
1. Electronic Portfolio:
When this is concerned, it provide a made resource for everyone to find out required action of necessary outcomes over time, make connections among contrasting elements of the programme, gain. It is portable and can be sent easily via email, which is particularly nice if one is applying out of state. It is best way to show the Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop skills. But the limitation of this is that it can be easily copied.
2. Hand-made Portfolio:
Those Portfolios which are made manually is known as hand-made portfolio. It specifies the arts and crafts of fashion design. It is more tangible and pleasing, which helps to “romance” the interviewer? It can clasp real materials, color swatches, notions like buttons, zippers, and beads. This are sometimes, hard to preserve. These portfolios require proper lookout; as a result of they can bear several hand.
3. Personal Portfolio:
Personal portfolio is something that, one take to an interview. It includes collections one has made during the time as a designer and show the skills one have perfected. Simply, one may specialize in one category, for example knitwear, which means the personal portfolio will express this category. Or if one have experience in a range of design and trend areas this should be exhibited throughout.
4. Specific Portfolio: During placement procedure, when a recruiter or company asks to share after an initial discussion about a role, then it is called as specific portfolio. This portfolio is helpful to secure a job in interview. One required showcasing the best collections that reflect the type of role going for. For example, if the position is for T-shirt, then the specific portfolio will show very best T-shirt design work.
5. Importance of Fashion Portfolio:
a) It shows your creativity:
With the help of portfolio one can shows potential clients their work and express their individuality. It is a correct reflection of who you are and what you have to present. Both an online portfolio as well as an offline one (printed folio) is important. When one need to meet their clients everyday then an offline portfolio is vital at their workplace. It is easily accessible and can be used in many meetings and interviews.
b) Helps in connectivity and exposure:
Anyone having an online portfolio, implies that anyone with an internet connection may find and reach up to you and browse work from anywhere in the world. Potential clients and employers can also judge the work before meeting you in person. The advantage of digital portfolio is that it lets to establish the preferred brand image online, whether it is through the own website or free online portfolio platforms like Pinterest. Because of it one can be able to create connections, position you in the market, and obtain work if having a strong portfolio.
c) Helps in cracking interviews:
It is a kind of handy tool to have on hand and carry during an interview. It proves and adds value to the personality and highlights to the company that you are qualified for that specific position by providing actual proof of the skills and talents. In a professional setting, this portfolio illustrates your abilities, background, successes, and experiences.
d) Develop credibility:
The most important use identified from developing a professional portfolio is increased credibility. A portfolio allows others to see the work, as well as the abilities, skills, talents. Others will be able to analyze how you fit into their vision, company, or product if you do this. It also demonstrates that you are sophisticated objective, motivated, and inspirational.
e) Stands you apart from crowd:
Developing a professional portfolio, especially one that is easily available in online, can help to stand out from the crowd. It is useful either you’re actively looking for work or just browsing. It gives an outstanding indication of the type of work you do to your future employer. One who working in the fashion and beauty industry, an online portfolio is very helpful because it displays the progression of your work over time.
Conclusion: Nowadays, professional portfolios are outstanding way to exhibit your potential and to become better even in further, while also highlighting one’s accomplishments. Nothing compares to seeing how a professional has evolved and accepted the innovation in order to attract a client. It gives an opportunity to show your versatility to world. It is the best way to show off your work that is visually eye-catching and contributes to your breath of experience. It helps to add work relevant to the job interview and also show your research about company.
Fashion portfolio and its uses in modern fashion industry by, Saloni Agarwal, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337313236_Fashion_portfolio_and_its_uses_in_modern_fashion_industry
5 Reasons Why It Is Important To Create A Fashion Portfolio, https://camotions.in/5-reasons-why-it-is-important-to-create-a-fashion-portfolio/
Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.
