Designer portfolio: old name / new name

[Hughie]

Looking for some advice from creatives with portfolios...

I have a portfolio of textile designs that I have published over the past few years under my old name (still live). I don't have any new work yet under my new name/gender. Do I link to the old portfolio and explain in the submission call that I'm trans? Or do I just go ahead without a portfolio?

I'm finding it such a challenge dealing with the social media stuff, since I'm pre-T and not fully out in all areas of my life, including the design world (though I am in my writing life, with a different name - and a different new name again for my design work). I just don't want folks to think I've 'stolen' designs from another person when they are in fact my designs. And I want to show that I can do the work that's been requested in the call. It's daunting to start over entirely from scratch when I have 20 designs published.

Thoughts / tips welcome!

[Kylo]

Can't you just change the name on it, if I am right in assuming it's an online digital portfolio? Replace old watermarks, etc.

I wouldn't personally volunteer that information to clients. You could just say you worked under a creative pseudonym - people often do, even of the opposite gender. There's no need to tell them sensitive info without good reason.

[AnxietyDisord3r]

If you're comfortable putting both names on there, maybe with a pipe (|) between them, it could be an interesting "hook" for clients. Kinda like the Wachowski siblings. Just putting that out there.

[becky.rw]

Many women keep their professional name after marriage for work, even if they change it on SSN, etc.  Hard choice you have, but  I think I'd leave the old name as it carries recognition; if you end up face to face presenting, you can explain the name change if necessary.

[KathyLauren]

When you have your legal name change document, you're covered.  Anything published under your old name is provably (in court) yours if you show the original copyright and the name change documents.  It would also be legitimate to republish them under your new name.  The whole point of changing your name legally is to cover situations like this.

I have not yet done a legal name change, but I have already started changing the copyright watermarks on any images that I republish under my new name.  It might be a bit dodgy if I ever have to prove ownership in court before I get my legal papers, but I'd rather make the claim that my work is mine than not.

[Hughie]

Cheers everybody, sorry to be off the radar the last couple days. It's been busy.

Yes, I'm mulling over what to do here. Right now, I'm thinking I might just sit tight for now and release the last design I have under old my name this fall. And start planning a collection to release this time next year under my name, which will build a portfolio--and not submit any new designs this winter. It's a bit of a shame, but I'm not sure how else to go about this. At least if I make a collection, I can self-publish a book to release and promote next fall.

I designed various knitting patterns, something like 22 of them, and I modeled nearly all of them, which is also very weird to look at and wonder who that person is. The patterns are mainly targeted for women, though there are are several ungendered patterns too. I'm just wondering about branding though for the future, because I'd really like to design for men and androgynous patterns going forward. And not model them myself, for privacy issues. Part of the issue is that I'm known in the knitting world in my country at least and I'm not fully out yet. Still mulling this over.

As a writer, I'm working under a male pen name and that seems to be more straightforward at least.  As a knitter, I originally designed under my legal name but switched to a pen name for privacy with work.

I can't wait till that legal name and gender change next year!