YFD UK is supported by a wide range of leading figures in the fashion industry and we are fortunate to have had some amazing judges in the past who have given constructive feedback and useful advice for our entrants.
We are fortunate to have had the following inspirational judges working with us:
SOUTH CENTRE JUDGES 2025
Laura Salter
Laura began her career in textile print design for fashion, before moving into trend forecasting and creative research. Her work spans bio design, material innovation and storytelling, blending science, craftsmanship and culture. Alongside her role as the Colour and Material Innovations specialist at Rolls-Royce Bespoke, she also works as a material consultant and copywriter, helping brands shape compelling narratives through design.
Jemima Gunston
Jemima Gunston is a textile designer and recent graduate from Central Saint Martins, specialising in woven textiles. She has a strong foundation in creative research, colour theory and dye processes, material exploration, and design development. Her degree work explored themes of sentimentality, ritual, human impact on the land, and the things we leave behind. She is particularly interested in the storytelling potential of textiles and how materials can hold memory and meaning.
Jemima has experience in both fashion and interiors. She spent her placement year at Nina Campbell Ltd interior textiles studio, assisting with all aspects of the design process. She is currently working for sustainable, made-to-order clothes brand, Wildseed Stitches, which takes a mindful approach to fashion making thoughtful, high-quality clothing that is made to last using ethical and sustainable practices. She was also awarded as winner at the YFDUK South Centre, 2018.
Abigail Willis
Whoa, slow down! Nothing good was made in a hurry.... Abigail is a firm believer in Slow Fashion. Not just pushing back against the devastating environmental impact of Fast fashion, but also just taking time to create clothes that are imagined carefully, created beautifully, mindfully and enjoyed. Abigail switched careers after hitting 40 and started designing textiles and homewares starting her own business as surface pattern designer. She created Willis Bloom to make glorious fabrics for peoples home, including a bespoke design service for truly unique rooms. Still a focus on sustainable high quality products, all designed and made in England.
Most recently she has also started a successful sewing school www.instagram.com/sewfunsewcreativesewhappy. The joy of sharing the art of dressmaking is immeasurable. We don't 'faff around' with scrunchies we go straight in with imagining beautiful clothes, focus on garments that fit and then we indulge in the slow process of making them, focusing on beautiful finishes and a feeling of pride after 'I made that'. It's addictive in the best possible way.
Creative from a very young age, always a paint brush or sewing machine within reach, leading to a passion for life. After a successful 20 year career in Advertising agencies (always fun, always busy but not enough fabric)..... a new career following, a dream realised still super busy and brilliant every day and much more fabric. Perfect.