All Walks Beyond The Catwalk

This project was initially triggered by my true concern for the way modern women are made to feel about the body in which they live. Drawing from those personal 'realisation' moments as a child when it dawned on me that I did not fit exactly into the beauty ideals, as well as the upset, dissatisfaction and lack of confidence within so many of the women I have met throughout my life along with the knowledge I have gained completing a dissertation that focused on the concept of a post-feminist society, I am campaigning for a change. 

Today my tutor introduced me to 'All Walks Beyond The Catwalk' which is a campaign founded by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and Erin O'Connor which highlights and challenges the way in which the fashion industry heavily relies upon an image of beauty that is unavailable and unachievable for so many. Whilst working with some of the top industry creatives as well as creative students and their respective colleges or universities, the website says that "By highlighting the responsibility our industry has to recognise the psychological impact of its messaging upon the minds of young women and men, we believe we can encourage a shift towards a more ethical position.". Their overall aim is to promote diverse body shapes on the catwalk and in fashion imagery.  I just can't believe this is the first I have heard of it!

 

Here's what some well known supporters of the campaign had to say:

 

“I wholly admire and support the endeavours of the All Walks Beyond the Catwalk campaign. As a photographer, I am constantly confronted by perceived ideals of beauty. The models, actors, musicians, and ‘real’ people who I see down my lens are all influenced by an oppressive world of unattainable physical goals. I always work hard to break through the artifice and capture something unique, original and beautiful in each of my subjects. Interest and creativity is not about perfection but quite the opposite; beauty comes from our idiosyncrasies.” - Rankin

 

 

“The most important thing is to have a confidence in what you are and not to feel that you have to be like someone else; thinner, younger, blonder. Originality is the greatest treasure.” - Alexandra Shulman (editor of Vogue)

 

 

“When it comes to choices around fashion, we’ve never had more, yet our choices around body shape appear increasingly limited. Why is it that 99% of all the attractive and intelligent women I know, models or otherwise, do not feel good about their bodies? Let’s change this.” - Debra Bourne (cofounder of All Walks)

 

 

“I became a make-up artist because I was fascinated by the rich and varied interpretations of beauty and form I saw in the 1980s when I first started. This is an element lacking today, making things seem rather dull in comparison. We need to celebrate diversity to the point where it no longer appears diverse. From this freedom, true beauty can be found. With this intention All Walks creates a pioneering space for change.” - Kay Montano

 

I really like the ethos of this campain and although I haven't wanted my film to be so focused on the fashion industry, I really like the message that All Walks Beyond The Catwalk are presenting here and I think there is a lot to be learned from these people who although enjoy careers within the fashion industry, are not settling for discrimination. Any organisation that fights to make something more inclusive of a wider range of people has my true support!