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What is Fashion Folio at Central Saint Martins?

Student portfolio, Fashion Folio UAL
  • Written byMimi Jones
  • Published date 18 March 2025
Student portfolio, Fashion Folio UAL
Student portfolio, Fashion Folio UAL

Fashion Folio at UAL is a highly intensive course designed to help students produce a professional portfolio for applications to undergraduate and postgraduate fashion programs, employment, or personal development.

With applications closing on 5 April 2025, we’ve put together this guide to give you an inside look at the course, along with insights from current students.

They taught me how to research and how to design, and also when I finished design, they taught me how to make it into a real garment.

— Kaeun, Fashion Folio student

What do you learn on the course?

Fashion Folio is structured into three progressive stages, each designed to build upon the last. The course guides you from developing fundamental skills to mastering advanced techniques in research, design, and communication. As you progress, you will refine your ability to express your ideas visually and conceptually, ensuring your work is both cohesive and impactful.

Stage 1

Stage 1 (May–July, 11 weeks, Online)
This stage provides you with the core skills that will underpin your future development. You will learn to develop your drawing, research, practical, and technical skills—all essential for visually communicating and expressing your ideas and designs.

Stage 2

(September–December, 11 weeks, On Campus)
In this stage, students will expand their research skills and learn how to develop, sustain, and communicate a concept that is both original and meaningful. This stage encourages deeper creative exploration and the ability to refine your design ideas.

Stage 3

(January–March, 11 weeks, On Campus)
The final stage focuses on refining your portfolio to reflect your skills and interests. You will select work suitable for applications to undergraduate, postgraduate, or career progression. This stage also includes physical portfolio presentation and interview preparation.


5 reasons to study fashion folio – from our students

  1. Personal Growth – “You grow so much during the course, and it’s quite amazing.”
  2. Portfolio Development & Identity – “I really improved on how I work on my portfolio, and I developed my own offering and point of view throughout the course.”
  3. Resilience & Creativity – “It allows you to be mentally stronger. Just when you feel a creative block, you get this burst of energy to keep going.”
  4. Access to UAL & London – “I get to live in London and experience all that Central Saint Martins and UAL have to offer, including the amazing CSM library.”
  5. Creative Challenge – “Fashion Folio is a demanding course, and it was a chance to really push myself creatively. I think I achieved that.”

Notable alumni

Fashion Folio has helped many students find their unique point of view and develop something distinctive to offer the fashion world. Alumni include:

  • Michael Halpern
  • Conner Ives
  • Paula Cánovas del Vas
  • Leeann Huang

These designers have successfully established their own labels, showcased at London Fashion Week, and secured stockists such as SSENSE and Net-a-Porter. Others have gone on to work at high-end fashion houses in design and consultancy roles.

How to apply

Applications are made into Stage 1 of the course, with some students eligible to enter Stage 2 if they can demonstrate the required skillset. Please note that we do not accept students directly into Stage 3; students typically progress through Stages 1 and 2. For full details on how to apply, visit the Fashion Folio course page.

Applications for Stage 1 close on 5 April 2025.

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