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!

Penrose £ - Ringarose

My uni like to celebrate entrepreneurship and therefore hold the Penrose Festival every November where students have the chance to make anything they like for less than £1 and sell it. We create the branding and marketing behind it to follow up the product and the idea is that you can make something from nothing and we should embrace recycling items to make something new. Upcycling is the name game.

I'm going to post some snippets of my groups progress on here leading up the event, so keep your eyes pealed for more!

GFW Ravensbourne 2013

Today was the day!! Ravensbourne were showing at GFW and as I attend the uni, myself and the rest of my class were lucky enough to go to the show. The talent we have at Rave is insane, although not everyone got to show, the lucky chosen few were incredible. Some pieces that really caught my eye and were personal highlights were Sofie Malmgren's holographic clutch and silver cage head pieces. Clearly I have a thing for accessories.

What made it for me along with the clothes was the music. You could tell the song choices were fully thought out to really suit the collections, and it really bought everything together. There was anything from Lil Mama Lipgloss to Fergie London Bridge to Venga Boys - completely amazing! It was a shame we couldn't get any closer then the 5th row but obviously the closer rows were for industry experts and potential employers for the graduates but I still managed to get a few snaps.

As well as a successful day for Fashion BA(hons), Fashion Promotion also won two awards! The first award was for Per Aquum Marketing and went to Sophie Christiansen and the New Media Award went to Rebecca Chambers. It's incredible that Rave are getting recognition as we have such young talent coming in and out of our doors fast. We won't be showing at GFW for another 24 months, which means my year are the next to show - definitely huge boots to fill, but we're up for the challenge; Fash Promo 2015!!

The show space

 The catwalk space

 Holographic clutch by Sofie Malmgren 

 Lydia Krause

 Rebecca Elley

Cage headdresses by Luke Harris

GRADUATE FASHION WEEK - 5 DAYS TO GO

It's coming up thick and fast now. Ravensbourne's show is at 3:30 on the Monday and according to Hilary Alexander our show sold out first!! Yes FIRST!! So if you didn't listen to my earlier posts to get your tickets fast you have missed your chance. But never fear, we also have a stand at GFW where you can go and see the garments made by the students a long with sketch books and other forms of our work. This is still an amazing way to see the shows pieces up close and personal. You don't just have to see it on the day the show is taking place either. As you know GFW is on from Sunday to Wednesday so although Raves show is on Monday, feel free to go on the Tuesday or Wednesday as well.

One of last years successes was Emeline Nksoi. She was also nominated for the Mulberry Accessories Award as well as the GFW Ethical Fashion Award. This shows you what real talent we have at Ravensbourne, so god knows what surprises will have up our sleeve this year!

Natalie Finch from Ravensbourne has also beat all other fashion students for the oppotunity to have her own pop up shop at GFW! This is an amazing opportunity and she fought through all the competition to win. Yet another example as to why everyone should come and sample some of Ravensbournes finest! This is the second year in a row Ravensbourne have won the pop up shop, Claire Clark won it last year.

Emeline Nkosi's from Ravensbourne's Stand at GFW June 2012