This updated guide explains three essential steps to prepare for fashion and design school: choose and develop a specialty to show focus; create a modern portfolio that emphasizes finished work and process (with both digital and physical formats); and prepare for in-person and virtual interviews by practicing a concise portfolio walk-through and answering both creative and practical questions. Final tips encourage early starts, iterative revision, and seeking external critique.
Getting into fashion and design school still comes down to three core preparations: develop a specialty, build a clear portfolio, and practice the interview. These remain the strongest ways to show focus, skill, and commitment to admissions teams.
1) Develop a specialty
Admissions panels respond to applicants who show a clear interest and some depth in a particular area. That doesn't mean you must limit yourself forever, but having a specialty - menswear, sustainable design, textile innovation, costume design, interior furnishings, or fashion technology - helps you stand out.
Show progression: take relevant classes, complete small projects, and document what you learned. Short internships, volunteer projects, or self-directed capsules demonstrate practical experience and motivation.
2) Build a modern, process-focused portfolio
Portfolios are still the primary way schools evaluate work. Today, that usually means presenting both finished pieces and the process behind them: sketches, mood boards, technical flats or tech packs, material swatches or detailed photos of samples, and photos of finished garments or products.
Use digital and physical formats. Many programs expect an online showcase (personal website, Behance, Instagram, or Adobe Portfolio) plus a compact physical or PDF portfolio for interviews. Make it easy to navigate and caption each piece: explain your role, techniques, materials, and the problem you solved.
Quality beats quantity. Choose 8-15 pieces that highlight range and depth. Include a clear table of contents or landing page that guides the reviewer through your strongest work and process thinking.
3) Prepare for interviews (in-person and virtual)
Most schools interview applicants or ask for a portfolio review. Practice a concise portfolio walk-through that highlights three to five signature projects. Be ready to explain motivation, constraints, outcomes, and what you would change next time.
Expect both creative questions (inspiration, design choices) and practical ones (time management, collaboration, long-term goals). Since 2020 more programs offer virtual interviews - test your camera, lighting, and internet connection and have high-resolution images ready to screen-share.
Final tips
Start early and iterate. Keep a sketchbook or digital journal to track ideas. Seek critiques from teachers or industry professionals and revise work. Demonstrating focus, craftsmanship, and growth matters as much as raw talent.
Prepare these three areas thoughtfully and you'll present as a focused, prepared candidate ready for design study.