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Arriving at the House of Commons in force, Wednesday 1st February 2012 saw a brigade of well-informed and well-heeled women gather to view award-winning documentary Miss Representation and to debate the under-representation of women in positions of power.


Guests at the All Walks screening of Miss Representation in the House of Commons photographer Annabel Staff
Directed and narrated by filmmaker and actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Miss Representation exposes the way in which mainstream media contributes to the detrimental portrayal of women in positions of influence, and the negative knock-on effects this has on our female (and male) youth. Speaking from the screening, Debra Bourne observed the significance of All Walks at the event.

“With the lack of female role models reflected in our general media, women often look to fashion for a narrative on femininity. The work of All Walks Beyond the Catwalk to promote a broader range of beauty and body ideals in age, size and skin tone is, therefore, essential”


Colleen Harris speaks at the Miss Representation debate photographer Annabel Staff
Chaired by Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat MP, the screening was followed by a panel discussion with novelist Malorie Blackman, Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone, Communications and Diversity Adviser Colleen Harris and Writer and Psychotherapist Susie Orbach. Exploring society’s obsession with body image ideals, the panel of knowledgeable and inspirational women spoke determinedly on topics including female empowerment, leadership and media change; leaving the audience undoubtedly affected and empassioned.

Pledge to represent the change you want to see for women & girls, sign up to the Miss Representation campaign pledge.


Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone MP (center) on the debate panel photographer Annabel Staff
 

All images are by our resident photographer Annabel Staff who can be found on Twitter on @photosbyannabel


Catch up on Lynne Featherstone’s Huffington Post blog: Charmaine Ayden is a Fashion Communication graduate from Northumbria University. An avid admirer of all things ‘glossy’, she set her heart on a career in Fashion Journalism from a young age.

Undertaking work placements with Vogue, WSGN, Asos, Drapers and Glamour Magazine, Charmaine is currently working as Copy and Features Writer for Brownsfashion.com.

Check out Charmaine’s blog The Good is the Beautiful and find her on Twitter @CharmaineAyden