All Walks Beyond The Catwalk: The Fallout

“The Illamasqua team were great to work with - everybody worked hard and quickly behind the scenes at the All Walks shoot on Saturday. The models looked wonderful despite a very early start that day and everything went very smoothly. Thank you to all at Illamasqua for rallying to the cause of diversity and individuality within fashion imagery, with All Walks Beyond the Catwalk.” - Caryn Franklin, Co-Founder.

All Walks Beyond The Catwalk is a fantastic initiative that challenges the way that the fashion industry classifies beauty by presenting a diverse mix of models.

Now in their third season, the All Walks team [co-founders Erin O Connor, Caryn Franklin and Debra Bourne] collaborated with some of the biggest names in Fashion [and make-up!] to further their quest of promoting individuality - an ethos that resonates deeply with us at Illamasqua. All shapes, ages and skintones is the aesthetic and it demonstrates that beauty is more than skin deep. You may remember that we collaborated last year - click here to read the blog post.

Clare topped up Erin O' Connor's make-up before the photo call, and the statuesque model told me, "The beauty of diversity is a powerful tool, after all the only thing we should have in common are our differences..." Too right.

Nine beautiful models paraded down the Somerset House terrace to be shot by fashion photographer Rankin in the blazing sunshine - our make-up artist Kat was on hand for any touch ups but the shoot was over so quickly - Rankin, the professional that he is, works at lightning speed - that we were able to just stand and enjoy the show!

Sheila Atim, who was looking hot in a vivid blue Stella McCartney dress [contrasted with hot pink lips: Intense Lipgloss in 'Indulge'] tells me, "All Walks has become a staple of London Fashion Week. It's one of the best things I've done." And her thoughts on Illamasqua? "I love it! I absolutely adore this lipgloss, it's a bit different and is very striking. I have been modelling for two years - I was scouted at a festival - and I am so hoping that I get to keep the dress!"

Designers who kindly lent a dress from their SS11 collections were Alice Temperley, Giles Deacon, Hussein Chalayan, Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Antonio Berardi, Betty Jackson and one of my favourite designers, Osman Yousefzada. Click here to read interviews with the designers.

Our artists Helen, Claire and Kat created looks for the models that emphasises their natural beauty and highlighted the clothing, with the emphasis leaning towards bright, glossy lips. Intense Lipglosses in 'Frenzy' and 'Hermetic' went down an absolute storm.

And you know how we love a bit of scandal; last year All Walks Beyond The Catwalk showcased the voluptuous model Hayley Morley to the designer Mark Fast. Mark decided that Hayley looked so delicious in his dress that he cast her and several other larger models in his show with one stylist apparently walking out over the decision...!