| All Walks Beyond the Catwalk is an initiative founded by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and Erin O’Connor working with influential Catwalk designers and top industry creatives to celebrate more diversity within the fashion industry |
Having kicked off a shift in attitude, since our launch at London Fashion Week in Sept 2009 – where we paired eight emerging designers with 8 diverse models - most notably creating the ‘plus size,’ model Harley Morley and Mark Fast partnership – All Walks Beyond the Catwalk has continued to grow challenging fashion industry dependence on unachievable and unhealthy body ideals via lobbying, press campaigns and empowering undergraduates to change practice within their chosen field.
In September 2009 We launched ‘SIZE ME UP,’ at London Fashion Week with i-D Magazine at Beat the eating disorder charity
In November 2009 We accepted ‘Cosmopolitan Magazine Fearless Women,’ award.
In June 2010 In collaboration with Graduate Fashion Week, we launched the first ‘All Walks Forum,’ at Graduate Fashion Week with fashion educationalists attending from all over Britain. Many colleges have pledged to incorporate diversity modules into their teaching. Since this time we have lectured up and down the country on a voluntary basis to thousands of students and have received rave reviews from both tutors and students.
In Sept 2010 We launched the campaign SNAPPED with Rankin at London Fashion Week.
In Feb 2011 We celebrated diversity at the National Portrait Gallery. A record 4000 people came in one night to see our Rankin images.
In June 2011 we launched the All Walks Diversity Network in Association with Edinburgh College of Art. We also hosted the second educational forum at Graduate Fashion Week.
In April 2012 we co -produced the Body Confidence Awards from Parliament chaired by MP Jo Swinson and awarded our own All Walks ‘Visionary Fashion Award.’
In June 2012 we launched the National Student Competition Diversity NOW! in association with i-D Magazine. We also hosted the third educational forum at Graduate Fashion Week
In November 2012 we accepted ‘Red Magazine’s Red Hot Women,’ award
We also contribute to a variety of parliamentarian campaigns and initiatives on how diversity and the beauty of individuality can make an impact in the wider culture and influence self-esteem and well-being. These initiatives have been chaired by Govt. Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone. MP Caroline Nokes and Jo Swinson, MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
All Walks Beyond the Catwalk is a voluntary organisation that recognises the power the fashion industry has to communicate positive messages to women and men about their bodies and acts. Small steps, big ideas. We are delighted to see that our position is influencing brands as diverse as Lanvin and M&S
Founders Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and Erin O’Connor on set with Rankin and this season’s model line up. Photography by Alistair Guy.