A Brighton fashion designer has come joint first in a competition that will see her design manufactured and sold.

Judges couldn’t choose between Florence Boyd, 31, and Jake London, 18, from Essex, in The Liberty Shopping Centre’s annual Fashion Design Competition and awarded them both first place.

Florence chose her ‘Night Angel’ scarf as her entry in the competition, which aims to find the next big talent in the industry and attracted hundreds of entries from across the UK and abroad. Florence was one of 18 finalists who showed their work in a catwalk show on Thursday, and the winners’ designs will now be manufactured and sold in the shopping centre in Romford.

Florence, who has been an artist and illustrator for 11 years and began designing prints for fabrics a year ago, said: “It is an amazing feeling to have won, I am really surprised and shocked and just pleased. The competition was so strong; the other finalists had exceptional designs. I didn't know what to expect from the competition. I heard about it from my dad who posted me the link. I have never entered my textiles in a competition before so had no idea what to expect.”

She described her ‘Night Angel’ scarf as “large enough to be worn as a dress as well as a seasonal scarf” and a design that appeals to all ages and is “non gender specific”. Florence added: “I had no idea that, like myself, the entries would be from everywhere, even Dubai. I am really looking forward to showing and selling my designs at The Liberty shopping centre’s pop-up-shop as it is my dream to get my garments out commercially.”

Judge Syreeta McQueen, from Fashion Capital, said it was a tough competition this year. She said: “We had no choice other than to award joint winners. Florence’s design was breathtaking as it came down the runway and with so many different variations of how it can be worn the concept is extremely commercial and will appeal to a wide audience.”