Debra Bourne

Debra Lysette Bourne MBE (born 12 February 1964) is a communications expert, brand consultant and advocate[1] for diversity in fashion. She co-founded All Walks Beyond The Catwalk, is a brand consultant, a former Board Director at Lynne Franks PR and Executive Fashion Editor at Arena Magazine and Arena Homme Plus.

Debra Bourne

MBE
Debra Bourne accepting her SMK Award at The House of Lords, 2016
Born
Debra Lysette Bourne MBE

(1964-02-12)12 February 1964
London, UK
NationalityBritish
EducationInstitute of Psychosynthesis Middlesex University (1992-1995)
OccupationCommunications Expert, Brand Consultant and Campaigner
Known forCo-Founder of All Walks Beyond The Catwalk
Spouse(s)David Rosen
ChildrenJohnny Bourne-Rosen
AwardsSheila McKechnie Award for Creating Change Within Business (2016)
Websitedebra-bourne.com

Personal life

Bourne has a son, Johnny, and is married to David Rosen,[2] senior partner and self-proclaimed 'building detective'[3] for London property behemoth Pilcher Hershman.

In 2017, Bourne was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours for services to diversity in the fashion industry.

Lynne Franks PR

At the age of 20, Bourne started working as an intern for leading consumer PR consultancy Lynne Franks (the inspiration behind Absolutely Fabulous character, Edwina) before becoming a Board Director at the age of 27. Clients included Jean Paul Gaultier, Swatch, Knickerbox, Pepe Jeans, Ghost, John Richmond, and Procter & Gamble.

All Walks Beyond The Catwalk

Launched during London Fashion Week in May 2009, when Susan Ringwood,[4] the then Chief Executive of Beat, asked:

"Was it possible to show fashion on a range of inspiring bodies?"

It was the mix of Bourne's experience in the fashion industry and her longstanding commitment to psychotherapy training that lead her towards developing the idea for All Walks with Caryn Franklin and Erin O'Connor as a campaign vehicle to inspire and empower change in the fashion industry.

Before fashion and diversity became hot topics for big business and consumers alike, All Walks shared the vision to encourage the shift towards a more enlightened position, through highlighting the responsibility that the fashion industry had in recognising the psychological impact of its messaging upon the minds of young women and men.

Notable collaborators include William Tempest, Giles Deacon, Vivienne Westwood, Hannah Marshall, David Koma, Jade Parifitt, Mark Fast,[5] Georgia Hardinge, Rankin[6] and i-D magazine.[7]

Bourne was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to diversity in the fashion industry.[8][9]

References
  1. "Things I've Learnt From 5 Years Campaigning for Diversity in Fashion". i-D Magazine. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  2. . The Evening Standard (10 October 2013)
  3. . Mr Porter (2 March 2011)
  4. Ringwood, Susan (25 May 2012). "There's no point shaming people about their body shape". The Guardian.
  5. "London Fashion Week: catwalk Grow over size 14 models = Fisher, Alice". The Guardian. 20 September 2009.
  6. "Rankin's Women".
  7. "All Walks Beyond The Catwalk". i-D Magazine.
  8. "No. 61803". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2016. p. N16.
  9. "New Year's Honours list 2017" (PDF). Gov.uk. Government Digital Service. 30 December 2016. p. 48. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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