How to Create a Look Book

A look book is similar to a portfolio. It is usually contained within a binder to allow pictures to be looked at, added, removed or rearranged easily. However, rather than containing an entire work history, it represents one line of products, such as a spring clothing collection. It is an accumulation of samples often used to exemplify a product line, much like a catalog. Look books are popular among fashion designers, who primarily use them to show off a particular collection.

Things You'll Need

• Sketches Swatches Photos Sheet protectors Three-ring binder

Instructions

1. Select your best sketches, swatches and photos to put in the look book. You want only samples of your best work. Be sure to provide a variety of your most successful works.

2. Organize your sketches, swatches and photos. Sketches represent the original ideas and intent of the designer. Swatches provide samples of colors and textures of the fabrics. Photos represent how accurately the ideas are realized. Group each corresponding sketch, swatch and photo together. Write descriptions of your designs if you wish.

3. Slip your sketches, swatches and photos into sheet protectors to protect them from bending and damage. If possible, put corresponding sketches, swatches and photos on the same page for convenient viewing and comparison.

4. Pop open the three-ring binder and arrange the sheets in logical order. The content should flow as the viewer skims through the look book. For example, you could group all dress samples first, then skirts, then pantsuits.

5. Add a professional cover page. Design a printout containing your name, your agency's name and the name of the collection. Slip this page behind the plastic cover on the front of the binder. This will make your look book stand out among others.

Tips & Warnings

• Each time you create a new collection, update your look book so it is always current.

• Do not include every piece of work you have ever created in your look book. A look book should contain only the most recent collection.

References

• Alpha Omega Digital