Thursday 26 May 2011

Britain’s first body-conscious educational centre launches at Graduate Fashion Week

Photograph for All Walks SS11 by RANKIN

Britain’s first ever educational institution devoted to furthering the promotion and design requirements of diverse body shapes launches at Graduate Fashion Week this year. All Walks is is a campaign to promote realistic body shapes on the catwalk and in fashion imagery and the centre, headed by Course Leader of Fashion, Edinburgh College of Art, Mal Burkinshaw, will research and develop new approaches in fashion education to include more emotionally aware and considerate practice. Students will benefit from training on a specially commissioned set of UK sized 8 - 18, tailors dummies, donated by leading mannequin specialist, Proportion London. Skills might range from learning language to aid working on different body shapes, listening and understanding the needs of the consumer, as well as using diverse body shapes to inspire the form and design of garments. The Arts University College Bournemouth and Southampton Solent University have also incorporated diversity of body-shape projects into the curriculum post the first Forum last June. More colleges are expected to follow.

www.allwalks.org
www.gfw.org.uk