The Book

A career in fashion merchandising means working in a fast-paced, creative industry—and a highly competitive one. Developing and Branding the Fashion Merchandising Portfolio is a guide to creating a portfolio and brand for yourself that will stand out. Portfolios provide immediate visual evidence of what you can do, and they communicate hands-on experience more explicitly than a résumé can on its own. Whether you’re interested in design, product development, buying, textile design, or trend forecasting, this book provides activities to help you identify and focus your skills. Step-by-step instructions demonstrate how to gather examples of your work, how to choose a design and layout, and ways to incorporate drawings, sketches, and CAD-generated material into a consistent, streamlined portfolio that reflects your personality. User friendly and above all visual, this is the guide for creating a portfolio that will get you hired—and keep your career on track.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Merchandising Portfolio
Merchandising Portfolio Model
Portfolios
Organization and Contents
Presentation Formats and Layout
Use of Technology in Portfolio Development
Portfolio Presentation
Résumé Development
The Interview and the Cover Letter
Maintaining and Updating the Portfolio