Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an experienced designer within the Fashion Industry. I went freelance over 3 years ago and set up a website using Portfoliobox to showcase my skills for potential new clients. It helps showcase my design examples which are ordinarily to bigger files to send via email.
Tell us about one of your favourite projects and what inspired you to do it
My favorite project was when I got to travel to the far east to a denim factory I worked with, and looked at moving all denim washes using traditional machinery and workmanship into sustainable, like for like outcome using laser and ozone machinery. It came out amazingly, I learnt so much. I managed to do this not only visually, but within cost so it didn't require any extra money over traditional wash methods.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working for a Premium Womenswear start up denim label due to launch at the end of this year. It is a very exciting project working directly with the owner, and collaborating on her vision for the brand.
Who are your biggest influencers in the industry?
My biggest influencers are the game changers in our industry, specifically around sustainability. I am in awe of Blackhorse Lane Ateliers in London, they brought Denim manufacturing back to London and have big and exciting plans for the future.
What was the last thing that inspired you?
People inspire me all the time, I love meeting new people, and sometimes people outside of my industry too to gain an outside perspective. I was most recently inspired yesterday when I was having a conversation with a potential new client on heading up a very exciting project in creating an educational platform for our industry.
Tell us why it's important for you to have a portfolio website
It is invaluable to have a website to showcase my skills and previous examples of work. Since having a site, as I only completed it a few months ago, I saw a massive uptake in people reaching out to me. I added the site to my Linkedin Profile, and to my Instagram. Any potential new clients can go direct to my site, which saves time them reaching out, and then me trying to transfer huge files of examples of my work over to them. It has been a game changer for me.
As a professional artist what are your tips in building a portfolio website?
Have a lot of patience, it takes some time playing around with the interface to get to know your way around. I chatted online to the amazing support team who always helped me if I got stuck, so don't be afraid to ask, they literally can do anything. Do your research prior too, what sites do you like the look of? They don't have to even be related to your area, just the aesthetic is directional enough. I put up one project per key client, make sure it is some of your best work. It was good for me to show a lot of examples as my role expanded out of design and into trend, wash, and product development. Don't be afraid to put all you can do on there, you are a brand.
How do you market yourself?
I mentioned previously about popping the site onto my instagram which I try to update when I can, and on LinkedIn. These helped massively with promoting my site. I think it is unique to your industry, my one is a lot of word of mouth too.
Why do you use Portfoliobox?
I actually left Portfoliobox to go to other competitor website building sites, and came back after the third one I signed up to. Portfoliobox has one of the easiest interfaces for me to navigate, and, a huge AND, the support staff are incredible. I got stuck a lot, but I got an answer from the tech team within 10 minutes, they were so good at helping me out on numerous occasions, and when they couldn't, they can re write codes for you if needed tailored to your specific needs. Having the support encouraged my confidence, which inspired me to play around more with my site and get it to where it is now.
Visit Leanne's website for more inspiration and don't forget to follow her on Instagram.
