LFW: All Walks Beyond The Catwalk SS10

A new initiative unitingin British fashion designers to create a positive message for women of all shapes, sizes and ages and celebrate diversity has been launched. The charity, called All Walks Beyond The Catwalk is inspired by charity Beat and endorsed by the British Fashion Council co-founders Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne, Erin O’Connor and Susan Ringwood. The charity seeks to engage the fashion industry in a conversation about body image and expand upon the imagery coming out of the heart of London Fashion Week.

Design talent including Mark Fast, William Tempest and Hannah Marshall were matched with professional models to create a bespoke version of their forthcoming collection. Each look was photographed by award winning photographer, Kayt Jones to create eight stunning, larger than life, 7ft images.

Caryn Franklin explains, “This is about inclusivity. The traditional ready to wear method of design, with the model added at the end of the process makes it hard to accommodate individuality in shape and size. So this project is operating a bespoke approach. By giving each designer the opportunity to collaborate with the woman who will model the garment at London Fashion Week, we expand upon the expectations for ready to wear imagery. Curvy women are showcasing top design alongside slender women, as are young and mature models. The diversity is what we wanted.”

Sarah Brown, wife of Prime Minister Rt Hon Gordon Brown, comments, “London Fashion Week is all about celebrating British brilliance, and All Walks Beyond the Catwalk is a chance to be proud of British beauty. It brings together models of all colours, shapes, sizes and ages in a dazzling array that looks gorgeous – because it looks like Britain. It’s a reminder that true style and glamour know no boundaries – that each person can look radiant because each of us has a unique special something to cherish. I’m a huge fan of the initiative and very proud to lend it my support.”

The designers working on the project agree that designing in this way has given them a new and a different perspective at the outset of their careers. All Walks Beyond the Catwalk” is steering the way for diversity and exactly what we need. It challenges the ideals of what beauty is and makes us think. I am proud to be a part of such a project,” says Hannah Marshall.

Sarah Watkinson, founder and director of 12+ UK Model Management comments, “It is a rarity for my models to be involved in London Fashion Week or a cutting-edge editorial. The simple reason is that designers don’t usually design for curvy models. The results speak for themselves.”

The All Walks Beyond the Catwalk event is the launch platform for an ongoing campaign to raise awareness, educate and celebrate the beauty of individuality and positive self-esteem - remembering that no two bodies are the same.

The campaign is also supported by highstreet retailer Marks and Spencer, and exclusive t-shirts promoting All Walk Beyond the Catwalk will be sold nationwide in stores during Fashion Week.

For further information visit www.allwalks.org.

Image: Erin O'Connor