3 answers
Sherry
Student
Lagos, Nigeria
1
Question
Asked
1156 views
How do I create my portfolio to Attract international employers/collaborators as a fashion designer ?
Hi everyone, I’m a streetwear fashion designer and stylist. I’m currently working on building my brand and I want to start positioning myself for international opportunities things like freelance styling jobs, sponsorships, collaborations, or even working with fashion houses abroad.
I’d like to know: what are the best ways to structure or build my portfolio so that it can attract international clients, investors, or employers?
Right now, I mainly post my work on TikTok and Instagram, and I’ve done some commissioned pieces and styling projects locally. I’m working on putting together my own collections.
What would you recommend I include in my portfolio to make it stand out globally? And how can I present it so it looks professional enough to catch attention outside my region?
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3 answers
Betty Ho, MBA
Marketing Manager
6
Answers
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Updated
Betty’s Answer
Identify cities that align with your brand's style, like how Paris differs from Barcelona. Find key influencers in these cities and offer them free samples in exchange for showcasing your brand on social media. Ask them to tag you in their posts. Social media can greatly boost your brand's visibility. Good luck!
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sherry !
Greetings to you in the global fashion capitol of Lagos ! You're certainly in a good place for Fashion. I wish I had an answer for you, but there's no clear one because Fashion is a subjective and an opinion business, but I'd be happy to give you my opinion and advice !
Street style is very, very marketable, universal and popular - a very good specialty to have. It ranges from anywhere from Athleisure to Business Casual, so you have a great niche right now. The main force behind becoming established as a Fashion Designer is to be around fashion people, very heavy networking at all events and shows. You need to inter-mingle with other designers, fashion house executives, retail store buyers and a lot of various people so that your work will be seen. You also need to organize local fashion shows of your work. Research what venues will let you periodically do a show - sometimes cafes or schools or churches will let you use their space for fashion shows in your local area.
A huge boost will be if you go to Fashion School. This is a foundational opportunity to network and have your work be seen everyday. People will get to know you and that may lead to offers for you. If you don't go to Fashion School, you'll have to navigate the networking on your own which can take time and more effort than a school environment would offer.
Attend Lagos Fashion Week and wear something you have made. Mingle with as many people as possible. Also go to Arise Fashion Week. One of the things about fashion in your country is that a fusion of traditional and western style is used, using Aso Oke, Akwete, and Ankara and appeals to global markets. If you haven't ventured into this, it might be fun to do so. For fashion, variety is the best way to go. Style all genres of clothing for all age groups. Do not forget about accessories - belts, jewelry, scarves, etc. Start to create a variety of fashion. Versatility in the creative fields is crucial. So is having lots of patience along the journey !
I wouldn't say that social media is good for people "discovering" your work, but it's good to include a link to your profiles when you apply for work or on any promotional material you create. Do you have business cards yet ? If not, get business cards made up which will be needed for the large amount of networking this career requires.
I would advise that doing the freelance Styling is a great idea and you should continue to promote yourself as a Stylist. The only thing it seems to me that you'd have to do is very much increase your presence so people will know who you are. It takes a lot of time and effort if you do it without Fashion School, but be persistent and enjoy each step of the journey. Usually in any career, whether it be in the creative fields or not, no one actually can know when their career will take a turn that they want, so don't give up.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Greetings to you in the global fashion capitol of Lagos ! You're certainly in a good place for Fashion. I wish I had an answer for you, but there's no clear one because Fashion is a subjective and an opinion business, but I'd be happy to give you my opinion and advice !
Street style is very, very marketable, universal and popular - a very good specialty to have. It ranges from anywhere from Athleisure to Business Casual, so you have a great niche right now. The main force behind becoming established as a Fashion Designer is to be around fashion people, very heavy networking at all events and shows. You need to inter-mingle with other designers, fashion house executives, retail store buyers and a lot of various people so that your work will be seen. You also need to organize local fashion shows of your work. Research what venues will let you periodically do a show - sometimes cafes or schools or churches will let you use their space for fashion shows in your local area.
A huge boost will be if you go to Fashion School. This is a foundational opportunity to network and have your work be seen everyday. People will get to know you and that may lead to offers for you. If you don't go to Fashion School, you'll have to navigate the networking on your own which can take time and more effort than a school environment would offer.
Attend Lagos Fashion Week and wear something you have made. Mingle with as many people as possible. Also go to Arise Fashion Week. One of the things about fashion in your country is that a fusion of traditional and western style is used, using Aso Oke, Akwete, and Ankara and appeals to global markets. If you haven't ventured into this, it might be fun to do so. For fashion, variety is the best way to go. Style all genres of clothing for all age groups. Do not forget about accessories - belts, jewelry, scarves, etc. Start to create a variety of fashion. Versatility in the creative fields is crucial. So is having lots of patience along the journey !
I wouldn't say that social media is good for people "discovering" your work, but it's good to include a link to your profiles when you apply for work or on any promotional material you create. Do you have business cards yet ? If not, get business cards made up which will be needed for the large amount of networking this career requires.
I would advise that doing the freelance Styling is a great idea and you should continue to promote yourself as a Stylist. The only thing it seems to me that you'd have to do is very much increase your presence so people will know who you are. It takes a lot of time and effort if you do it without Fashion School, but be persistent and enjoy each step of the journey. Usually in any career, whether it be in the creative fields or not, no one actually can know when their career will take a turn that they want, so don't give up.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Omg !! Thank you so much this open my eyes to many many ideas I truly appreciate
I’ll definitely put this to work and come back with feedback 🩷🩷
Sherry
You are very welcome, Sherry !
Michelle M.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Sherry,
✓ Build unshakable confidence.
✓ Orient yourself to the goal!
✓ Consult an established Public Relations Consultant.
✓ Get a celebrity to support you.
✓ Get an advertisement and a documentary for you.
✓ Connect with influential people in your field. Ask people like Elon Musk to sponsor you! Gravitate to their websites!
✓ Develop an entrepreneurial survivor mentality pursuing public exposure with each step.
✓ Ride the back of other promotions!
✓ Submit articles detailing your products to international fashion magazines!
✓ Positive affirmations getting to know your innate talents! Leave people in awe about your energy, your enthusiasm.
✓ Meditate regarding the necessary factors required for success.
✓ Volunteer for your promoters! Show kindness to people!
✓ Speak publicly about your aspirations.
✓ Speak to school children who may share your goals!
✓ Develop your own promotional portfolio on your website!
Take care!
GOD BLESS!
✓ Build unshakable confidence.
✓ Orient yourself to the goal!
✓ Consult an established Public Relations Consultant.
✓ Get a celebrity to support you.
✓ Get an advertisement and a documentary for you.
✓ Connect with influential people in your field. Ask people like Elon Musk to sponsor you! Gravitate to their websites!
✓ Develop an entrepreneurial survivor mentality pursuing public exposure with each step.
✓ Ride the back of other promotions!
✓ Submit articles detailing your products to international fashion magazines!
✓ Positive affirmations getting to know your innate talents! Leave people in awe about your energy, your enthusiasm.
✓ Meditate regarding the necessary factors required for success.
✓ Volunteer for your promoters! Show kindness to people!
✓ Speak publicly about your aspirations.
✓ Speak to school children who may share your goals!
✓ Develop your own promotional portfolio on your website!
Take care!
GOD BLESS!
Thank you so much this will go a long way for me
Sherry