‘Words of Wisdom‘ is the title, and theme, of The W Project‘s second exhibition, timed again to coincide with International Women’s Day. Launched on the same date last year, The W Project is the brain child of All Walks’ friends and collaborators Loren Platt (The Work It girls, The Firm) and Teo Connor (NoDaysOff). The [...]
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Erin on The Model Sanctuary’s Closure and the Crucial Need to Re-open in Sept
The Model Sanctuary in action Dear friends of All Walks, I’d like to send you my thanks for the time you have taken so far in working with us on the Model Sanctuary. Regretfully, I’m writing to let you know that for reasons beyond my control, The Model Sanctuary did not operate during the recent [...]
Diversity & Individuality at London Fashion Week AW2012
This season, the menswear shows especially seemed to be stepping away from the Hedi Slimane-style extremity of only thin caucasian models. We saw a healthy mix of from slim to athletic to muscular bodies and a range of ethnicities, especially at Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s ‘Ones to Watch‘ show, from designers such as BodyBound: One of [...]
A Body of Work: A Man’s View of his Body, Body Stereotypes and the Gym
The recent All Walks interview with Elisha Smith leverock on the subject of female body builders got me thinking, and reflecting on my own attitudes to working out and body building. There was a time when I used to have a very naive view of the gym and of women on the treadmill running aimlessly [...]
Muff March: UK Feminista tells Porn Industry ‘Keep your Mits off our Bits!’
The increased judgement and scrutiny towards women has extended, it seems, to every part of their body. Ideals influenced by the porn industry have resulted in a significant rise in gynaecological surgery over the past five years. Last December, UK Feminista organised “The Muff March” to protest against this worrying trend. Over 400 women signed [...]
Supermodel Gisele faces Shocking Mysogyny after Super Bowl Spat
For many of us in fashion, the only reason we know who won the Super Bowl (well, perhaps more accurately, who didn’t) is due to the sport’s link to supermodel Gisele Budchen. Married to New England Patriots player Tom Brady, Gisele sent a message to friends before the match asking them to pray for him [...]
Interview: Make-Up Maestro Kay Montano talks Beauty and Diversity
Self-described as a ‘Trojan Horse,’ make-up artist Kay Montano is a modern-day feminist with a passion for diversity; displaying an aversion to ‘born Barbie’ culture, she’s definitely not interested in ‘keeping up with the Kardashians’. Sandwiched between her feminist views and the aesthetically orientated world of make-up, Kay carefully balances the two seemingly contradictory forces: [...]
Super Bowl Adverts: More Shocking than M.I.A
Madonna was the headlining halftime act for the Super Bowl 2012, which aired this past Sunday to a record breaking 14 million viewers. That’s 3 million more than expected and a figure which doesn’t even take into account the YouTube hits the performance will receive after the event. It’s the first time I can think [...]
Interview: Hannah Marshall on Powerful Women, Icons, Muses & Friends
Naomi Campbell wearing Hannah Marshall in Vogue Korea, August 2009AW: Your collections convey a sense of female empowerment, how do you achieve this? HM: I am constantly inspired by strong women such as Grace Jones, Siousxie Sioux, Tilda Swinton and Bjork; women that are unique, powerful, have conviction, integrity, a sense of strength and inner [...]
Interview: Samantha Donnelly on her Exhibition ‘Contour States’
Samantha Donnelly (centre) at the opening of her exhibition “Contour States” at The Cornerhouse, Manchester AW: The exhibition literature notes that your work is “concerned with the powerful effects of media imagery on the individual, and in particular with how the portrayal of women in the media shapes and defines them”. How do you think [...]
HELP! Erin’s Model Sanctuary desperately needs a new home for Fashion Week
British supermodel and All Walks Co-founder Erin O’Conner is desperately seeking a new home for her Model Sanctuary during London Fashion Week this February. Please read her letter, below, to find out more about this essential resource for young models and how you could help the important work of the Sanctuary to continue this season. [...]
Interview: Elisha Smith-Leverock on her Award-winning Film ‘I Want Muscle’
Elisha Smith-Leverock is a filmmaker and photographer working in fashion and music. The All Walks team first met Elisha at a dinner hosted by The W Project. Our very own Caryn and Debra gave a presentation on the All Walks initiative, alongside accessory and prop designer Fred Butler, who presented her work and introduced us [...]