ORIGIN

Debra Bourne, Erin O’Connor and Caryn Franklin. Photography Kayt Jones.

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The project kick-started in May 2009, when Susan Ringwood, the Chief Executive of the eating disorders charity Beat, asked, “Was it possible to show fashion on a range of inspiring bodies?”

Founders Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and Erin O’Connor put their Stephen Jones thinking caps on and came up with an initiative: to showcase the work of 8 cutting-edge designers on a 8 professional models aged between 18-65 and size 8-16, as a celebration of individuality and diversity.

First, it needed a name. All Walks Beyond the Catwalk was conceived; and to be a success with the fashion press, not just the buyers, the event had to happen from the heart of London Fashion Week. Caryn, Erin and Debra also knew they needed to appeal to the top names in the industry to help pull it off.

With London Development Agency funding and British Fashion Council endorsement, Caryn, a fashion writer and broadcaster, Debra, a fashion consultant and former PR director at Lynne Franks, and Erin, the model and founder of the Model Sanctuary, visualised a project that utilised fashion photography at a high-profile salon style presentation to present each designer’s creations.

Next, the hard bit. With just 12 weeks to go, they recruited their super-team: eight press-worthy designers, a casting agent, eight models, a top photographer, make-up artists, hairdressers, a leading style magazine, show producers, stylists, event organisers, a film director, a camera operator, a sound recordist, two film editors, several graphic designers, a website designer, printers, digital printers, set builders, a media sponsor, funding sponsors, another top photographer, documentary photographers, documentary film-makers, a fashion PR and two spectacular production assistants who, fresh out of college, threw themselves into this project full-time – thank you Katy Lubin and Michael Williamson.

The All Walks mission is simple: to expand upon the imagery coming out of London Fashion Week and mirror a more realistic range of women, in age, size and race, than standards currently offer. The project has the potential to grow in terms of reach, education and, ultimately, influence.

All Walks couldn’t have happened without the support of all those who donated their time and expertise for free. The founders would like to thank them all.

We would particularly like to express our appreciation to our whole creative team whose passion and energy have contributed in bringing our ideas to life, and who have waived their fees. A special thank you to the following individuals who made a difference.

Stuart Rose
David Rosen
Caroline Rush
Michael Salac
Steve Sharp
Robert Shore
Giles Stafford
Yasu Takehisa
Dani Tanner
James Tomlinson
Paul Underwood
Julian Vogel
Pippa Vosper
John Walford
Sam Walton
Michael Williamson
Sam Wilson
Verien Wiltshir