Caryn Franklin - All Walks Lecture at Ravensbourne

Today, Caryn Franklin came to talk to us about All Walks, Beyond The Catwalk, which is an initiative that herself, Erin O'connor and Debra Bourne created to challenge the industry to use more diverse models and challenge the conventions of the 'typical' models we have all become accustomed to seeing on the catwalks.

Being quite interested in the topic, I was excited to hear what she had to say. Being in the industry for over 30's she's seen it all, from starting at iD Magazine back in the 80's to The Clothes show on the BBC, so if anyone is going to talk about the subject it's Caryn. One of the first things she mentioned is that everything has impact, especially as you grow up. If these young, thin, caucasian women and men are constantly thrust upon girls and boys who aspire to be like them, it's just going to promote an unhealthy next generation. It's not just even the models themselves which are promoting this image, but the use of sexualisation in imagery as well. Sex sells, and it always will as Caryn pointed out, but it's not all about using it.

It's not only going to take just one of the big publications such as Vogue to stand up and take note that not every women or man is young, thin and caucasian to make a difference. We need the entire industry, especially casting directors to start making changes. This can't just be a half-hearted job either as this wont change the perception. The success All Walks has achieved so far is immense. In 2009, they launched the Size Me Up campaign, Snapped at The National Portrait Gallery in 2011, where they placed a variety of imagery around the gallery next to particular paintings which gained a footfall of over 4,000 people in a night! These ladies are out in force and the industry should beware.

The talk has really inspired me to be less narrow minded and want to back the All Walks cause more than ever. If you read this and you agree and want to help make the change, go to the all walks site www.allwalks.org and take a look at more campaigns they've done!