[hannahfashion]

Hi, my name is Hannah, I am sixteen years old and currently studying my first year in level 3 extended diploma in fashion and clothing.
My dream is to work in fashion design, but right now I am currently trying to build my portfolio as I hope to study fashion design at Saint Martins in 2013. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice for me on what to include or focus on in my work? I know it's early days but I'm really focused on going to Saint Martins which I understand isn't easy to get in! So does anyone have any tips on what interviewers like to see, or areas I should look closely into?
Hannah

[Historophilia]

I haven't got personal experience of but the eldest daughter of family friends got onto this course and as far as I can work out what you need is passion, dedication and hard work.

Work hard on your portfolio, make pieces of clothing in your spare time, read lots of magazines for inspiration and also frequent places well known for their innovative street style to get inspiration. Also maybe make clothes for friends and family, it'd be good practice and enhance your understanding of how clothes work.

Also keep a look out for any design competitions that might be run for School students and enter them.

[mazey93]

Hi Hannah. I've just finished the foundation diploma at central saint martins so i hope this advice helps.

in your portfolio, you must have variety! Regardless of whether you feel strongly about fashion, you must shows examples of your fashion work, drawings, paintings, graphics etc so whatever design work you have.

Make sure you edit! Basically, gather together all your work and select your best pieces. 15-22 A3 pages of work is great plus 1-4 supporting sketchbooks. Its also good to see if you have a smaller sketchbook with articles, samples, gathered exhibition tikcets, notes etc.

Mounting and layouts are important! your work should be mounted on cartridge paper, must be neatly stuck down (with masking tape folded on teh back of each sheet in the corners is fine-then it can be rearranged)

Check out this page if you havn't already http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/foundation-art-and-design/

[hannahfashion]

Thank you, that does help a lot! However, because I am already studying a diploma then I probably won't be doing a foundation degree, but going onto an undergrad course straight away. So would you recommend to still include a variety of artwork, or focus more on the fashion drawings and outcomes? Also, are you staying at Saint Martins next year, and how did you find it as a college/university?
Thanks for your help

[MissCloe]

I am a fashion student at St Martins. Basically you need first of all talent, and belief and hard worker and you have also got to be mentally different - they see through all that image look at me I'm different and tbh most of the students just dress like your average student. Typical day, get up and get to St Martins then stay til the building closes then grab food go back to digs and work til 3am. However it is the most rewarding place ever. You are taught by people who practice what they preach. They push you and try to get the best out of you. It is tough and challenging, things are thrown constantly. However from my experience in placements anyone in top fashion houses is from ST Martins and the interns are from St Martins because they know we are flipping hard workers. If you are passionate in what you do its the place for you. However be prepared for the amount of international students who are seriously rich, student digs which is a £4million apartment is not unusual.....lol.

[hdb2013]

Hello,
I too just graduated from the Foundation Diploma and got into the Fashion Design BA at CSM. I have a blog that might help you. If you look through some of my older posts (as well as the newer ones) I talk about CSM and getting onto the Foundation course as well as the BA. www.heatherbroomhall.com. GOOD LUCK!

[juicyfrandy]

hannah although you're doing a btec course in fashion and clothing, its very limited in fields of art and design, i would advise you to complete a foundation at csm before applying for a ba as I've heard of that course before and its generally restricted and honestly it won't get you in as you will be competing with foundation and mature students. i know i sounded quite harsh there but seriously you will love foundation year and you will learn lots! you will even know which pathway of fashion you want to follow as there are 6/7 fashion pathways at csm and even if you tailor your portfolio to one of the pathways it may not be what the tutors are looking for. APPLY FOR A FOUNDATION AT CSM ASAP (by january 31st 2013). you will not regret it.
hope this helps.