Fashion has always been Bernie’s language — from the first stitch on her knitting machine to watching her students find their own creative voice. After studying Fashion Knitwear, she launched her own label, which grew into a global brand over a decade of creative success. Along the way, she discovered her true calling: education.
What began as a few guest lectures on running a fashion business evolved into a lifelong passion for teaching. For more than twenty years, Bernie has worked across Fashion and Textiles education — from pre-degree portfolio students to BA and MA programmes — guiding emerging designers to discover their unique perspectives and professional pathways.
Her mission is simple: to help future designers blend craft, heritage, and sustainability while staying true to themselves. Because the world doesn’t just need more fashion designers — it needs more thoughtful ones. Designers who create with purpose, care for the planet, and understand the power of design to make a real difference.
Fashion is our future — and helping students shape that future remains the highlight of hers.
→ NAME: Berni Yates
→ CAREER: Fashion & Textiles Educator | Knitwear Designer | Mentor
→ INSTITUTES: Central Saint Martins · Nottingham Trent · Kingston · Leeds · Glasgow ·
Ravensbourne · Brighton · Northumbria · Teesside · Manchester
Available For
• Fashion & Textiles Portfolio Development (Pre-degree to MA)
• Knitwear Design & Construction Techniques
• Fashion Business & Professional Practice
• Sustainability & Heritage Craft Integration
• Mentorship for Emerging Designers
Q&A
DEFINE YOUR AESTHETIC:
↳ Fabulous, colourful, fun.
WHAT UNIQUE QUALITIES DO YOU BRING TO THE FASHION & TEXTILES INDUSTRY?
↳ Forward-thinking and optimistic — always focused on generating positive, practical outcomes.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO TEACH?
↳ Creating a better, more responsible landscape for fashion and textiles.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
↳ Looking back to move forwards — honouring the past, embracing the future.
CAREER HIGHS:
↳ Collaborating with British sheep farmers — connecting design directly to heritage, community, and sustainability.
→ NAME: Berni Yates
→ CAREER: Fashion & Textiles Educator | Knitwear Designer | Mentor
→ INSTITUTES: Central Saint Martins · Nottingham Trent · Kingston · Leeds · Glasgow ·
Ravensbourne · Brighton · Northumbria · Teesside · Manchester
Fashion has always been Bernie’s language — from the first stitch on her knitting machine to watching her students find their own creative voice. After studying Fashion Knitwear, she launched her own label, which grew into a global brand over a decade of creative success. Along the way, she discovered her true calling: education.
What began as a few guest lectures on running a fashion business evolved into a lifelong passion for teaching. For more than twenty years, Bernie has worked across Fashion and Textiles education — from pre-degree portfolio students to BA and MA programmes — guiding emerging designers to discover their unique perspectives and professional pathways.
Her mission is simple: to help future designers blend craft, heritage, and sustainability while staying true to themselves. Because the world doesn’t just need more fashion designers — it needs more thoughtful ones. Designers who create with purpose, care for the planet, and understand the power of design to make a real difference.
Fashion is our future — and helping students shape that future remains the highlight of hers.
DEFINE YOUR AESTHETIC:
↳ Fabulous, colourful, fun.
WHAT UNIQUE QUALITIES DO YOU BRING TO THE FASHION & TEXTILES INDUSTRY?
↳ Forward-thinking and optimistic — always focused on generating positive, practical outcomes.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO TEACH?
↳ Creating a better, more responsible landscape for fashion and textiles.
WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?
↳ Looking back to move forwards — honouring the past, embracing the future.
CAREER HIGHS:
↳ Collaborating with British sheep farmers — connecting design directly to heritage, community, and sustainability.
Q&A
AVAILABLE FOR:
• Fashion & Textiles Portfolio Development (Pre-degree to MA)
• Knitwear Design & Construction Techniques
• Fashion Business & Professional Practice
• Sustainability & Heritage Craft Integration
• Mentorship for Emerging Designers
COURSES:
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TESTIMONIALS ***
“Since graduating from Central Saint Martins with her triumphant and L’Oreal award winning collection, Aimee has defined the zeitgeist for contemporary fashion and design. Working across brands and her own label Aimee is able to challenge the norm whilst being able to adapt to different markets and customers.”
HYWEL DAVIES - Fashion Programme Director - CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
TESTIMONIALS ***
“Aimee’s dedication to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills has greatly contributed to my growth as a fashion designer. Aimee possesses a remarkable ability to engage students through dynamic teaching methods, insightful critiques, and constructive feedback, ensuring a stimulating learning environment. Aimee consistently encouraged exploration of diverse design concepts and challenged us to push the boundaries of our creativity while respecting the designer identity. As of today, her mentorship continues to influence my daily work, instilling in me the principles of creativity, quality of design, rigor, and high expectations that she exemplified throughout her instruction. I am grateful for her mentorship and wholeheartedly recommend Aimee as a fashion educator”.
Lucie Siv - Graduate Diploma in Fashion Design - CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS
