If you’re looking for a full, step-by-step breakdown – from what and how much to include, to portfolio formats, layouts, and more – check out my Ultimate Guide to Fashion Portfolios.

What Should You Include in Your Entry Level Portfolio?

Let’s get one thing straight:

Brands know that you are a recent grad and entry level.

Fashion brands don’t expect you to know everything or have a ton of work experience. These are the 3 main skills they want to see in your portfolio:

1. Accurate Flats & Detailed Tech Packs
2. Garment Construction Knowledge
3. 3D Renders (if possible)

1. Accurate Flats & Detailed Tech Packs

Show accurate stitching, closures, and construction elements. Here’s an example of activewear technical specifications by Jennifer Saylor.

2. Garment Construction Knowledge

Prove that you understand how a design is actually made, not just how to draw pretty designs. Here’s a sample tech pack snippet by Erin Scott (LinkedIn).

3. 3D Renders (if possible)

3D design is a skill that’s becoming more valuable in the industry. Here’s an example of a lingerie 3D rendering process by Trudy Gardner.

I know this is boring stuff, but the truth is, when you’re hired as an entry level employee in the fashion industry, you’re NOT going to be designing.

You’re going to be doing more of the grunt and production line work like sketching flats, 3D rendering, and creating or updating tech packs. (Which is why it’s important to show this work in your book.)

“Designing” is reserved for more senior roles, so while having a good design eye is great, most likely, you’ll need to show that you’re sharp on the technical side of things and understand construction. (And yes, this is true even if you’re going for a “design” job and not a “technical” job.)

How do you make sure your fashion portfolio looks professional (and not like a student’s)?

Focus on showing 1 or 2 complete Process Portfolio projects – whether it’s from school work, internships, or self-directed projects (more on this in a bit!). Brands want to see how you develop a design from start to finish.

One of the biggest red flags that screams “STUDENT!!!” is showing tiny projects that attempt to showcase a multitude of skills.

It usually feels like, “Here are a bunch of random bits I did for all my different classes.”

• 3 fashion flats
• 1 photo of a visual merchandising display
• 2 textile prints
• 1 moodboard
• 2 fashion illustrations

None of them have anything to do with each other, and it’s all over the place.

Another thing that screams “STUDENT!!!” is showing photos of your hand sewn designs that your classmate modeled in your poorly lit apartment.

I’m talking about photos like these, which are – obviously – my handmade designs from 2005 when I was trying to get started as a designer).

These DO NOT belong in your portfolio.

Unless your garments / model / photos of your own work really come off “professional,” leave them out.

In this podcast episode with Dior Bediako, we dive into how to break into the fashion industry with no experience – covering everything from tailoring your CV and writing a standout cover letter to interview prep, and what to do when your resume seems to disappear into a black hole.

How to Fill Your Portfolio When You Have No Work Experience Yet

Option 1: Get an internship (the long route, but worth it) 

If you can, get at least one internship to gain real-world experience before diving into a job. Even if your work was part of a team project, you can still include it in your portfolio – just be clear about what you contributed. (I go into more detail about this in my main portfolio guide.)

Option 2: Self-directed projects

The other option is to create self directed projects for your portfolio – and it doesn’t have to be from scratch. Expand on any collections you designed or technical flats you made into a Process Portfolio including:

1. Moodboards & Collages (color, style, print, trim inspiration)
2. Hand Sketches / Design Iterations / Sketch Book Pages
3. Digital Fashion Flats
4. Spec Sheets / Tech Pack Snippets
5. Photos of Finished Garments (flat lays, mannequins, models, mock-ups)

Get creative with how you can show any part of a finished garment – even if it’s just a small fabric swatch from a strike-off or handloom.

Here are some phone photos I took when all I had was a fabric swatch (I used Photoshop to mock up different color variations).

You can also use AI apps like NewArc.ai (affiliate link), an app that generates 3D renders from a black-and-white flat sketch in just seconds. Here’s an example of a 3D render I made.

These kinds of mock-ups will have a stronger impact than just showing fashion flats alone, and you don’t have to go through the hassle of producing actual samples.

Final Takeaway: Keep your entry-level portfolio focused & professional

Your portfolio isn’t about showing everything you’ve ever made, because brands already know:

• What you’re getting (and not) at school. 
• Your work is mostly from school projects, not real-world brands.
• Your Illustrator or 3D skills might not be perfect yet (I have a ton of YouTube tutorials to help you with that!).
• You don’t know everything (no one ever does!).

It’s about showing the right things in the right way.

• Focus on 1-2 strong, commercially relevant projects instead of cramming in everything.
• Prioritize accuracy and construction details in your Illustrator flats and tech packs.
• Make sure your portfolio aligns with the job or brand you’re applying to.

Do that, and you’ll already be ahead of the competition.

Want to Explore More?

Here are my other portfolio guides depending on your needs:

• 6 Steps to Create Your Fashion Portfolio in a Weekend (for Job Seekers & Freelancers): The full portfolio breakdown: formats, layouts, how much to include, and more.
• Fashion Portfolios for Non-Design Roles (with 6 examples): Applying for something other than “fashion design”? Here’s how to adjust your portfolio.
• 12 Fashion Design Portfolio Examples (that resulted in PAID work): Fashion portfolio examples if you’re in need of inspo.