Fashion Design Critique: 2 Portfolios + 1 Resume

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Ahhh thank you so much for critiquing my work I am so so grateful. Long time fan, lots to work on going forward :) I feel that career wise I’d love to move into a more elevated product. I will need to work on a new project that reflect this, along with streamlining, editing the amount of work, and ensure it’s reflected in the overall vibe of my website. I’ve worked a lot on putting the website together but it’s not gotten much traction for new work. Your pointers will be a game changer. Thank you so much. This is really going to help me for 2024.

[@zoehongteaches]

Good luck! Changing markets mid-career can seem daunting. Perhaps you can pursue more freelance projects in the category you want to move to so you have more finished work and resume bullet points to help you move into a full time position in the new category.

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

@@zoehongteachesi am trying! the job market is so hard here in the UK. Fashion has been hit really hard post covid. With your feedback I hope I can gain some traction. Thanks again :)

[@SophiaMeiHua]

Thank you so much for selecting me for this portfolio critique, Zoe! I really appreciate your thoughts and reactions;I've been learning from your videos and patreon classes for the past year after graduating with my fashion design degree. It was really valuable to have another set of more experienced eyes take a look at some of the things I've been working on. I've been in a bit of a creative rut after the holidays and new year, but this really gave me some motivation! I took notes and will keep everything in mind as I continue to work on my skills and job search!

[@zoehongteaches]

I'm glad you found my critique helpful! Good luck getting out of that rut!

[@daqueenbobo]

I always say keep it simple with the graphic design!! Let the clothes tell the story and let the graphics be understated. The website/portfolio etc. should enhance the clothes. How many high fashion brands have a loud design on their e-store and website? Not many. Not even the very avantgarde brands. It should be kept simple with cohesive details that follow the vibe of the clothes.

[@hexmaniacciaran]

My big issue with the Green/Red bands in the colouring is it gives me lower end Gucci. Also as a non-fashion person, a lot of the resume critique is valuable even for a corporate finance environment. I’ve reviewed resumes in the past and I’m not giving much focus to anything more than a line of hobbies and interests.

[@zoehongteaches]

I can see the Gucci, but my brain didn't go there because the rest of the dainty prettiness didn't scream Gucci to me. Which I think is essentially the issue, not the Xmas, not the Gucci, it's not a cohesive "This is what I'm about aesthetically" message, especially after looking at the clothes.

[@alexanderpons9246]

We live in such exciting times, what a great video/critique Zoe Hong! Being able to see why certain orders and things matter in the presentation is priceless. I guess what happens a lot of times is that we get too carried away thinking that we are not presenting enough or too little but as you mentioned an HR Person its not going to take the time to go through as you did in the video. Thank you Zoe Hong for sharing and teaching valuable information through this wonderful channel of yours!

[@hlovewood5636]

is it still contemporary to wish you a happy new year, Mrs. Hong? Anyway… All the best to you and your loved ones. So nice to have you back more regularly again. Sending love❣

[@zoehongteaches]

hahah~ Happy new year!

[@maggir8220]

I love those reviews. Seriously l, I could watch this for hours. Great seeing all the different types of designs and ideas and also your point of view.

[@zoehongteaches]

Thanks!

[@shmwmlam3953]

I learn a lot through this video. I love this type of videos. I wish I can get a critique like this but I don't have the confidence. Same reason I couldn't get a job. I am not very confident person and tend question my abilities all the time. So I am scared to put me out there to get a job. It is such a curse

[@christiebecerril8113]

Love this! Really good advice and wow, the clothes are beautiful! I would have loved to see the photos of the clothes at the top, or like you described the flat and the photos together because they are beautiful!

[@arlevalin]

Missed you so much Miss Zoe! Thanks a lot for these! Much needed for me as a graduating Marketing major that has fashion and graphic design related work experience!

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

What I’ve struggled with, as you can see in my portfolio is the editing. But as I move up as a designer, now head of design, I struggle knowing what to put into my portfolio, which is why I think I put too much. As design manager at killstar I worked along side merchandise, tech, development and ecom departments to bring our designs to life. I oversaw a creative process, and not only just my team of designers. I would develop themes and map out seasons with head of product. Should I find a way to include that? I included a merchandise report and the print work from freelancers, to show that my work went well beyond the day to day designing of collections. But as a designer, when is too much, too much? I’m not sure if you’ve made a video on this but it would be great to see what you’d expect from someone senior in the portfolio, vs someone more junior/mid level?

[@zoehongteaches]

Upon reflection, I would include your mood board and photos of the clothes. List what you did and what was under your purview for that specific project at the end. You might include a tech pack, which includes a complete front and back, which would display your construction and technical knowledge. At your level, you don't need all those flats when you have all the photos. Illustrations and flats are important for projects you don't have photos. I don't have a more advanced portfolio video, but I will put it in the queue.

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

I can't wait thank you again :) @@zoehongteaches

[@Kali-d4l]

thank youuu, these portfolio critiquing videos are so helpful and such a treat !

[@Beautyfaerie-bff]

High zoe can you do a video on fashion research sketchbooks and design development sheets.

[@aleksgamzin4262]

Thanks for sharing!

[@simchafabian4083]

hey I like the portfolio review video can you do a video on admission to school portfolio

[@zoehongteaches]

Sure, as long as you tell me what school the portfolio is for, as all schools have different port requirements.

[@nrmlgrltm7699]

Would love to have you look through mine! Been following you since 2019 when I started my journey at my university, I graduate in may & received Fsf Virgil scholarship this year‼️

[@sul4h]

Thank you for another great video Zoe! I was wondering if you think I should update old work on my portfolio? Like if my skills in sketching and drawing flats in Illustrator has improved, should I update my old work to reflect that? Or should I leave it as is to show progress? The reason I'm asking is because when I show my portfolio at job interviews, sometimes they ask to see old work as well.

[@zoehongteaches]

Absolutely update with new work, new skills. Your portfolio should be regularly updated and show your most current representation of your skills.

[@emilynalilitazieva]

I love your work !

[@zoehongteaches]

Thank you, but maybe you're talking to the people who created those portfolios? haha

[@Xuxianxaxaxixxi]

Out of curiosity, should my portfolio be drawn digitally?

[@zoehongteaches]

Your flats should be done in Illustrator. Your figures can be either by hand or by CAD, or do one for one project, do the other for another...showcase all your skills!

[@Xuxianxaxaxixxi]

@zoehongteaches that was very helpful. Thank you so much 🩵

[@vyshnavikamatam9280]

Hey. is it okay if we add digital illustrations to our portfolio for a fashion college (FIT or any fashion college) I really appreciate if you reply thank you

[@soumitrochakraborty184]

Zoe would you critique an illustrator portfolio?

[@zoehongteaches]

Sorry, no, that's not my area of expertise.

[@illustratorminemutlu]

thank you❤

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@that-sew-jaz]

When I see red and green I think 🍉

[@zoehongteaches]

I love watermelon but I associate watermelon with a very specific soft red and Xmas with a rich crimson red. Yes, I am a color nerd haha~

[@that-sew-jaz]

My eye for color comes from an activist POV and all I see is watermelon.

[@4kassis]

isn't it. a bit limiting to only think of Xmas when you see red and green?and "my American showing" is also a pretty sad comment...

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

Ah it’s not a sad comment. Different people from different walks of life see things differently. I see green and red and I think of Gucci :)

[@hexmaniacciaran]

Is it really a sad thing? She’s contextualising what she’s seeing using her frame of reference. It’s on the designer to put themselves in their end user’s shoes and understand how they might interpret it

[@zoehongteaches]

Me seeing Xmas is not the issue. The issue, which I addressed in the video, is that the visual theme of the portfolio is incongruent with the designer's actual projects and clothing designs. Whether you see Gucci or Xmas or watermelons like somebody else here, my point was the portfolio should match the clothes. And yeah, Americans start celebrating Xmas in August, it's a big deal, it's really in my face even though I myself don't really celebrate it, so if this designer was looking for a job stateside, other people would think that too, but again, ultimately not the point.

[@irmaktekin2840]

Please Turkish translate