YFD UK is an exciting national competition which showcases the talents of students. The event highlights outstanding work done by students studying textile design, product design or fashion at GCSE, A-Level and BTEC across the UK.
Young fashion designers have collaborated with celebrities and showcased their collections at events worldwide! Additionally, they work closely with several charities in order to have a lasting positive impact in our world.
YFD UK is a national competition
Young Fashion Designer UK (YFD UK) is an exciting national competition hosted by centers throughout the UK to celebrate textiles design and product design studies at GCSE and A-Level levels. Each year finalists from each centre’s finals are invited to showcase their designs while taking part in workshops led by industry professionals; winners also receive awards from judges!
This year’s contest judging panel consisted of industry professionals such as HELLO! Fashion Editor Jill Wanless, senior designers, etailers and retail buyers. Winners were chosen based on their creative approach to an intricate brief that challenged them to produce retail ready-to-wear looks inspired by sustainable future.
As well as receiving the main prize of YFD 2022, the winner will also be granted an up to two person desk membership at London’s new fashion campus, The Trampery Fish Island Village – including access to on-site manufacturing facilities; meeting rooms and event space; access to The Trampery community events programme and networking opportunities with fellow fashion entrepreneurs as well as local discounts and members offers. Both winners and runners-up will also be provided complimentary Business of Fashion Professional membership to provide them with vital agenda-setting intelligence guidance and advice they need in navigating their industry journey.
Last year’s winner, Steven Stokey-Daley, took home an endowment of 300k euros and one year of mentorship from LVMH group. His vintage-inspired label S.S. Daley draws upon British upper class uniforms to create high quality apparel praised by celebrities like Cate Blanchett and Lady Gaga.
Finalists in each category will be invited to present their collection and answer questions from judges, who will assess it, any supporting materials and works on display before selecting winners for each place. First, second and third place winners will each be honored with a glass trophy and prize from a generous donor; judges can also decide to present additional special awards if their work warrants it.
YFD UK is open to students
Are You an Individual Studying Textile Design or Fashion at GCSE, AS, A2, BTEC or IB Level and Want to Take Part in Young Fashion Designer UK Competition? The Young Fashion Designer UK competition showcases exceptional student work across the UK; providing an opportunity for recognition as well as workshops led by industry professionals. If interested, visit their website for more details and how to enter!
Students will have the chance to exhibit their work at the Young Fashion Designer UK finals, held across various locations nationwide. Students can also participate in workshops led by experts and win trophies and cash prizes! Students can submit individual pieces or complete multiple projects; in such instances, judges will look for creative and original projects which best demonstrate students’ abilities.
Once the submission deadline has passed, judges will select shortlisted entries and invite the finalists to attend regional finals. At their respective display stations – consisting of tables with cardboard display panels and additional resources such as photographs or tablets with slideshows -, finalists should bring copies of their registration forms along with any supporting resources they wish to use such as slideshows. They are welcome to ask any questions of judges in making their final decision.
The judges will assess designs in pairs or groups before consulting other members of the judging panel in order to select a winner. Entries that do not meet competition requirements will not receive prizes; finalists will have some time before judges arrive to prepare their work and label all sheets clearly with their name and school.
YFD UK is a prize
The winning designer will receive a complimentary business membership to Common Objective, an international network of over 30,000 fashion professionals, brands and manufacturers working towards more sustainable fashion industry practices. They will have access to this membership network to form valuable connections as well as premium intelligence such as toolkits and training courses that support them with their work. Furthermore, they can post notices or announcements to drive engagement around their work within Common Objective’s community.
This competition is open to students of all ages studying GCSE, BTEC and A-Level Textiles or Fashion courses at any educational level. Participants in the design challenge are challenged to create textile-based fashion pieces celebrating NHS, with one lucky winner receiving PS500 along with business mentoring support from local experts – plus an official Royal Crown Derby mug to commemorate its 70th Anniversary!
Year 11 student Tulasi from Presdales has advanced to the finals of Young Fashion Designer UK with her innovative garment that showcases quilting. It is both practical and symbolic of NHS’s importance, reflecting its importance in society today.
Tulasi conducted extensive research on the challenge theme and created mood boards, trend forecasts and sketches to develop her designs. Once complete she made her prototype and manufactured fabric before creating a garment sample. Tulasi’s hard work and dedication has paid off and she is very excited about taking part in the Midlands regional final!
The judging panel for YFD UK competition comprises leading industry professionals from various sectors. Judges look for innovation and creativity while understanding of challenges facing fashion. A range of factors such as design concept, craftsmanship quality and commercial viability will all be evaluated during judging process.
The Young Fashion Designer UK Competition, launched in 2010, provides students studying Textiles and Fashion from GCSE, BTEC and A Level courses an opportunity to have their work judged by industry professionals. Run from centres throughout South and Midlands who provide an inclusive platform for young designers.
YFD UK is a platform
The Young Fashion Designer UK national competition seeks to identify emerging design and fashion talent amongst GCSE, BTEC and A-Level students throughout the UK. Established ten years ago, it provides a platform to highlight young people with an interest in textiles and fashion who also possess strong writing abilities. Previous competition winners have gone on to careers in design and retail sectors.
Each participant is required to design an original item of clothing and provide information to the judges about its creation, with thoughts about what inspired it, so as to help the judges narrow down a shortlist of finalists for finals, where each will have their own stand consisting of table and cardboard display panels; some finalists bring tablets/laptops displaying additional images but this isn’t required or guaranteed to improve chances of victory.
YFD Weekend provides students with the chance to experience life as a fashion designer, including advice on study choices, extra-curricular activities, work experience and meeting leading designers – providing invaluable feedback on designs. Open to students aged 15-18 who can attend either in person or online – the winning entry will receive a prize worth PS1,000 that includes one-to-one business training from local experts as well as their very own Royal Crown Derby mug.
