How to Create a ‘Pick Me’ Portfolio
How to Build a Fashion Portfolio that'll Make You Stand Out in a Sea of Pick Me’s.
The most popular question on everyone’s mind when applying to fashion school is how to create a kick‑ass portfolio. How do I submit a portfolio that’ll make me Elle Woods in a sea of overachieving, Ivy League–educated nepo‑baby lawyers‑in‑the‑making? When I first decided I wanted to go to fashion school, I was seriously intimidated by the concept of a portfolio. What did I have to show for myself? My $4.50 Dollarama sketchbook was filled with half‑finished drawings, and the extent of my photography skills was mirror selfies with flash.
It took a lot of self‑convincing and motivation to research my program’s portfolio criteria instead of giving up because it felt like too much effort. My particular portfolio had several parts: they wanted to see that you’re well‑rounded in writing, business, illustration, communication, and design. Not that you had to excel in each portion, but this way they could see your strengths and know you could easily pick up on your weaker areas.
My first tip is to enlist everyone whose opinion you value. You might not know anyone in fashion, and that’s okay. When I was working on my portfolio, I reached out to friends of friends in the industry with questions about their own submissions. I had someone at my dad’s work read over my business plan. One of my distant cousins, a journalist, polished my written statement. Don’t do yourself a disservice by saying you don’t have useful people in your inner circle. Along the same lines: reach out to alumni of your desired program for advice. Friends connected me to people in the program who gave me extremely helpful tips—even down to which fonts and materials to use.
Another tip is to hand in your portfolio in person. For me, we had the choice to mail it or deliver it ourselves. If you can, bring. it. in. person. You’ll likely meet at least one admissions board member, make a first impression, put a face to your name, and ask any last‑minute questions. I was nervous about finding the right building and navigating downtown, so my dad came with me. He shook the dean’s hand—who just happened to be accepting submissions that day. I’m not saying bringing my dad was strategic, but the three of us had a short, friendly conversation…and I got in. No harm done.
A final tip: give it everything you’ve got. The last thing you want is to be denied by your dream program and regret not going all in. Research your program’s courses and showcase the skills that prove you’ll excel there. Keep your presentation clean and easy to read, but make sure it has your personal touch. A personalized portfolio that stands out from the cookie‑cutter, ChatGPT‑generated submissions will shine like a sore thumb—in a good way. Each carefully edited page should tell your story and explain why admitting you benefits both you and the school. Admissions envision students who bring diversity and talent, so make it easy for them to picture you on campus. Your portfolio is your first—and toughest—test as a fashion student. It sets the tone for your entire education and kicks off what could be a massive career. It doesn’t hurt to get a head start with a kick‑ass portfolio.