Events spotlight diversity in fashion

A series of events promoting diversity in the fashion industry is taking place at the National Museum of Scotland.

The world's oldest super model Daphne Selfe, renowned fashion commentator Caryn Franklin MBE and diversity champion and model Kelly Knox are among those taking part.

The week-long Fashion Forum has been organised by The Diversity Network, a collaboration between Edinburgh College of Art and All Walks Beyond the Catwalk. The initiative seeks to create a healthier culture in the fashion industry.

Fashion Forum: Design for Diversity

Friday 2 February – Friday 9 February 2018

National Museum of Scotland

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Insightful events

The programme opens with Caryn Franklin, a former fashion editor of i-D Magazine and Professor of Diversity of Fashion at Kingston University London. She will interview top designers Teatum Jones, Haute Baso and representatives from the British Fashion Council.

They will discuss the ongoing importance of celebrating diversity in the global fashion industry.

Celebrating diversity

Mal Burkinshaw, Fashion Programme Director at Edinburgh College of Art and Director of the Diversity Network, will be in conversation with Daphne Selfe, who began modelling in the 1950s.

The will be joined by fashion model Kelly Knox, a passionate advocate for diversity and disability in fashion.

Challenging conventions

Celebrated fashion photographer Campbell Addy and renowned fashion stylist Ib Kamara will take part in a conversation. They will discuss the fashion industry’s dependence on what they see as limited and unachievable ideals of beauty and body shape.

Further events throughout the week-long series consider the complex relationship between beauty, self-image and social media and alternative approaches to fashion design.

Wide-ranging collaboration

Edinburgh College of Art, Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University are hosting the public events at the Museum.

The Diversity Network Fashion Forum is funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It is also supported by the British Council and the National Museum of Scotland.