Debra Bourne, Erin O'Connor and Caryn Franklin
Erin O'Connor, Caryn Franklin and Debra Bourne are doing their best to celebrate diversity on the catwalks - but as recent controversies tell us they're not having much luck, as of yet.
Marc Jacobs has recently come under fire for using 14-year-old models in his latest show in New York and we all know and are aware of the fact that the models seem to be getting skinnier as we move through each season.
Fashion commentatoe and body iamge activist, Caryn Franklin, visited Nottingham Trent University to discuss the importance of using a diverse range of models in fashion communication.
Staff and students from the university’s School of Art & Design were invited to the All Walks Campaign Project seminar that asked them to think about mirroring a more realistic range of women, in age, size and race, than standards currently on offer, in their own projects and future careers in the fashion industry.
Matthew Gill, lecturer in fashion, management, marketing and communication at the university, commented: “The problems ‘All Walks’ is trying to address are so fundamental to the fashion Industry. For our students – who are up and coming designers and fashion promoters - to be informed, educated and enlightened about this issue is essential as it takes something like this to initiate a sea change.”
All Walks Beyond the Catwalk is an initiative founded by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne and Erin O’Connor which is working with influential Catwalk designers and top industry creatives to celebrate more diversity within the fashion industry. It recognises the power the fashion industry has to communicate positive messages to women and men about their bodies, and is working within education to help students understand the need for emotionally considerate design and practice.
Tagged in Marc Jacobs Diversity fashion Erin O'Connor University