How to make a perfect fashion portfolio for university

When you apply to study a fashion degree at university you may be asked to submit a portfolio to support your application.

02 July 2025

Rhimon Bose, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography

Creating a fashion portfolio may feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re applying for Fashion Design, Fashion Photography, Textiles, or perhaps even Digital Fashion, your portfolio isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing how you think, how you create, and how you explore ideas. 

At UCA, your lecturers and admissions tutors want to see your individuality and creative process. The story behind your work is just as important as the finished results.  

This guide focuses on what to include, how to present your work and what admissions tutors are really looking for. 

What is a fashion portfolio? 

A fashion university portfolio is how you can introduce yourself to universities as a creative.

It’s a collection of your best and most relevant work that journeys through your thinking and development. 

The exact requirements for your portfolio may vary between different universities and the specific course you’ve applied to. 

As a fashion student, your portfolio shouldn't just be a showcase of finished garments or images. It should give those who read it an insight into your imagination, your influences and how you bring ideas to life. 

Think of it like a diary of your creativity. A diary where research, experimentation and final outcomes sit side by side to tell your story. 

Jaehyo Park, BA (Hons) Fashion Business & Communication, UCA Epsom

What should you include in a fashion portfolio? 

Every portfolio is different, but strong fashion portfolios usually balance process with presentation. Academics and admissions tutors love to see how ideas evolve from early inspiration through to a final product.

Here are some of the key types of work you might consider including: 

  • Sketchbooks and drawings: Include quick sketches, figure studies and observational drawings to showcase how you visualise and develop concepts. These don’t need to be perfect; they just need to capture your creativity and how you iterate ideas. 
  • Moodboards: Include artists, designers, movements, materials, or social themes that inspire you. 
  • Development work: This could include textile experiments, fabric manipulation, pattern development, test shoots, styling mock-ups, or digital concept tests. Show your creative process: how you test, adapt, and refine ideas. 
  • Final pieces and outcomes: This might be finished garments, photoshoots, styled looks, digital fashion assets, or textile samples. Present them clearly, with context about how they ended up as they did. 
  • Documentation and reflection: Include any short notes, captions or reflective blogs that explain your thinking. This could include insights into what inspired the project, what did and didn’t work, and what you’d do differently. 
  • Digital work: If you use 3D, digital illustration or motion design software, consider including examples. Make sure to be clear about your own creative input and honest about any AI assistance used. 

Ultimately, your portfolio should feel personal and alive, demonstrating your interest in fashion.

Don’t worry if your work is a little rough around the edges. Tutors aren’t looking for finely polished work, they’re looking to learn about you and your creative process. 

Top tips for building a stand-out fashion portfolio 

  • Start strong and finish strong: begin with a project that represents you at your best and finish something that shows your ambition or future direction. 
  • Document everything: photograph and write about your process as you go. 
  • Tell a story: order your work so that it flows naturally from research to development to outcomes. 
  • Share your personality: Let your interests and influences shine through. Your tutors want to learn about you, not just your work. 
  • Be selective: Aim for quality over quantity. 
  • Show your process: don’t hide your unfinished work or failed experiments. Explain what they taught you and how you adapted. 
  • Ask for feedback: show your portfolio to teachers, classmates, or industry professionals before you submit it. 
Prachi Dokania, BA (Hons) Fashion Design, UCA Epsom

How to present your fashion portfolio 

Most universities will invite you to an applicant or interview day. During these days you’ll be given an opportunity to present or discuss your portfolio with a course academic or admissions tutor. 

For many reasons, some people are unable to attend an applicant day. Most universities will allow you to upload your portfolio online instead when this happens.  

Make sure you focus on clarity, not perfection. Admissions tutors want to see well-organised and thoughtfully sequenced work: 

  • Use folders to group related pieces  
  • Label everything 
  • If you include any videos, ensure links are public or unlisted on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo so that they’re viewable to everyone  
  • Keep written material legible and well-formatted 

What are admissions tutors looking for in a fashion portfolio? 

Your future lecturers want to understand who you are as a creative. They’re not just assessing technical skill (you can learn the skills you need during your degree), but instead are looking for potential. 

Here’s what will stand out to them: 

  • Creative thinking and originality 
  • A willingness to express yourself 
  • A passion for fashion 
  • Honesty and self-reflection 
  • Potential to develop and grow as part of your degree 

They aren’t looking for professionals, they want to see passion, experimentation and an eagerness to learn. 

Gabrielle Sefton, BA (Hons) Fashion Design, UCA Epsom

Need more portfolio support?  

Still unsure what to include? Come along to one of our upcoming Open Days where you can speak to our fashion academics and Admissions Team in more detail about what they expect to see in your portfolio.  

You can also use our Unibuddy chat platform to speak directly to current UCA students and ask them about their portfolio. For more inspiration you could also check out the work created by UCA fashion students via our online graduate showcase. 

UCA fashion degree portfolio requirements 

For specific information on portfolio requirements for fashion degrees at UCA please check the following guides: 

More advice for fashion applicants  

Related courses 

Undergraduate 

Postgraduate 

Portfolio advice webinar: 14 January

Applying to university can be stressful, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. You’ll leave this webinar with an understanding of how to build an outstanding portfolio.

Book Your Place Now