Dear Fashion Folio Course Applicant, This is the Portfolio Advice Guide to assist you with ‘What to include in your application’ 15-20 images of your work. This guide is not compulsory and it is up to you, the applicant, to follow the guidance enclosed. This guide includes advice for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 applications for the Fashion Folio and for different pathways of interest. Portfolio Advice Guide It is up to you to choose a portfolio that you feel best reflects your skills and experience. Please remember that the quality of work is more important than quantity. We assess both the visual work, CV and the personal statement (and for MA applicants, the written proposal). We look for many things including:

Personal 1. Enthusiasm for the subject. 2. Relevant previous experiences. 3. You are realistic about what can be achieved in the time you are giving yourself to prepare a portfolio. 4. You demonstrate understanding and awareness of both the institution/organisation and course/job level that you are applying to. 5. You appear to have the potential to develop while on the course. 6. Range (a variety of work). 7. Ability (good quality work). 8. Ambition (tempered with realism). 9. Care and attention to detail (a neatly packaged and annotated submission i.e. not random scans of sketchbook pages). 10. A clear understanding of the Fashion Folio Course/term and your reasons for attending. 11. Cultural awareness. Technical 1. Fresh ideas. 2. Evidence of a creative process. 3. A visual style. 4. Drawing ability. 5. Computer software / technical skill. 6. Neatness and care. 7. High production value.

We seek to accept students from a variety of backgrounds (not just fashion design, art or design students) however the course is aimed at those interest in contemporary fashion and its related fields. Making a good quality portfolio takes TIME and PATIENCE so don’t rush it as it will show. Continuing Professional Development Practitioners who wish to refresh or reinvent their portfolio for professional/personal use can apply for entry to any of the 3 terms. Applicants would be expected to explain in their personal statement what they hope to gain from their period of study. Course Specific Submission Guidelines for Fashion Folio Stage 1 (Apr-Jul) Stage 1 of the Fashion Folio is the first term of a three-term course. Students who join the Fashion Folio in Stage 1 will be expected to study with us a minimum of 2 terms of the course (6 months). Students building applications for BA, MA courses and professional applicants are all welcome. Prospective MA applicants MUST download the application form from the college website and fill in all relevant sections for discussion once on the course. Their draft proposal (however rough) MUST be supplied with their work and their personal statement when applying. Course Specific Submission Guidelines for Fashion Folio Stage 2 (Oct-Dec) Stage 2 of the Fashion Folio is the second course of a three term course, this means to gain a place on the October term of the Fashion Folio you will need to show that your portfolio is already at the same level as students who have been studying with us for the first term of the course. Students entering Stage 2 of the course will be expected to study with us for two terms of the course (6 months). Students will only be accepted onto Stage 2 of the Fashion Folio if they have experience in their chosen field, and can demonstrate within their portfolio and personal statement that they have already reached a confident level in the following areas:

- Visual research/Fashion Research - Design idea development - Drawings of their own original fashion designs (or fashion communication ideas) Students will only be accepted onto Stage 2 of the Fashion Folio if the Course Leader feels that the student clearly demonstrates that they have the skill, experience and dedication to build a portfolio to apply for their chosen course within 6 months. Students building applications for BA, MA courses and professional applicants are all welcome. Prospective MA applicants MUST download the application form from the college website and fill in all relevant sections for discussion once on the course. Their draft proposal (however rough) MUST be supplied with their work and their personal statement when applying. Course Specific Submission Guidelines for Fashion Folio Course Stage 3 (Jan-Mar) 2014 We do not accept applications directly into Stage 3 of the course, only students who are using the course for self-independent study and professional applicants are welcome. Continuing Professional Development Practitioners who wish to refresh or reinvent their portfolio for Professional/personal use can apply for entry to any of the 3 terms. Applicants would be expected to explain in their personal statement what they hope to gain from their period of study. We strongly recommend that applicants should not use this route should they wish to apply for postgraduate studies in Fashion, as it will only be for professional/personal development.

What to include in your portfolio? Applicants to all Design Pathways must include:

- Design research - General drawings - Fashion design drawings/Fashion Illustrations – clothes and or accessories - 3D work if applicable - Anything you feel tells us something about your skill/personal interests/interest in fashion Applicants interested in Textiles/Knit must include: - Your own designs ideas for textiles/printed fabrics/knit fabric - Images of any items you have made using your textiles/printed fabrics/knit fabrics Fashion Communication must include: - Photographs you have taken/styling work undertaken - Articles you have written if you are interested in journalism Menswear must include: -

Drawing of your own menswear designs/accessory ideas Womenswear should include: Drawing of your own womenswear design/accessory ideas Fashion Illustration should include: Drawings & Illustrations of established designers garments/accessories

Fashion Accessories must include: - Drawn ideas for fashion accessories - Images of any accessories you have made If you are hoping to apply for a Fashion Design BA or Postgraduate course please ensure you include in your portfolio examples of (but not limited to) the following work: -

Visual research/Fashion Research (a must) Design idea development (a must) Drawings of your own original fashion designs (a must) Objective/life drawings

- Fashion Illustrations - Photos of their own garment/accessory designs - Any other images of work (Art & Design or otherwise) that helps to demonstrate your skills and creativity If you are hoping to apply for a Fashion Communication and Promotion BA or Postgraduate course please ensure you include in your portfolio examples of (but not limited to) the following work: -

Visual research/Fashion Research (a must) Communication or Styling idea development (a must) Drawings of your own original fashion communication ideas (a must) Examples of finished Fashion Communication projects An Example of fashion writing or fashion journalism Objective/life drawings Fashion Illustrations Any other images of work (Art & Design or otherwise) that helps to demonstrate their skills and creativity

Advice on how to put together your portfolio: - Photograph your work against a white or neutral background. - Try to make the image as large as possible without any loss of detail or focus. - Try to keep the format consistent (portrait is more usual) as it can be confusing to review a folio where the work is continually rotated. It is better to have 15 good images than to make it 20 by including weaker work. - Photograph three-dimensional work against a neutral background - It is important to document processes and project developments; this can be achieved photographically and with the use of idea sheets. - If you have film work to show it may be more appropriate to show storyboards and a short show reel clip or stills from your film. Postgraduate Applications Applicants intending to apply to postgraduate courses, must demonstrate:

- You have undertaken undergraduate level studies in the relevant specialist subjects; - You can show evidence of an understanding in contemporary fashion; - You are able to cut patterns for their own designs and can sew; - You have potential for postgraduate studies; and - You are able to devote their time fully to course studies a postgraduate level work requires a higher level of commitment. Please note that acceptance onto the Fashion Folio does not guarantee your entry onto any subsequent course. It is up to each individual student to invest the hard work and energy required to develop their portfolio to the necessary level for entry to your chosen programme. If you have any trouble completing the online application please contact the Portfolio Course Administration team by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +44 207 514 2254. Best Regards Fanny Janssen Portfolio Course Assistant Administrator Short Courses .......................................................................................... Please consider the environment before printing