Major names in British Fashion came together to Launch the latest campaign curated by All Walks Beyond the Catwalk. Hosted by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne & Erin O’Connor, the event featured a series of portraits by Rankin, celebrating the diversity of models within the industry. “We love fashion in all shapes and sizes. Like the multitude of silhouettes and garments our industry both produces and promotes, beauty is also individual. It’s not restricted by race shape age or size.” – Co-founders Debra Bourne, Caryn Franklin and Erin O’Connor.

The event, taking place at the National Portrait Gallery featured models including the amazing Daphne Selfe,shot by Rankin, placed strategically throughout the gallery, in front of original portraits dating back in time. Nine influential designers joined forces with the models, including Alice Temperley, Giles Deacon, Hussein Chalayan and Matthew Williamson, with Daphne being shot in Vivienne Westwood.

We went along with Daphne to the National Portrait Gallery, to celebrate her role in this award winning initiative, something she feels very strongly about. ‘Variety is the spice of life and in the All Walks campaign there is an opportunity for everyone to be represented.‘ 

 

Daphne’s portrait, featured in front of Elizabeth I.

Whilst there, we bumped into a few of the other models that took part in the project, including Valerie Pain, Katie Parsons and Sheila Atim.

Also on the night, hosted by Caryn Franklin, a Government minister, top physiologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, Advertising creative Kiki Kendrick and Erin O’Connor and Lorraine Candy, Editor of Elle,  came together to debate an issue which is at the forefront of the industry today… “Is fashion the Lens through which we evaluate identity”, focusing on age, size, shape and race.

The night was a huge success, and helped to raise  awareness on a topic we all need to broaden our minds to, celebrating the diversity in fashion today.

Contact elaine@models1.co.uk

Read an interview with Daphne, and see what else she’s been up to HERE