Debenhams Breaks New Ground With National Disabled Model Campaign
Released on: September 15, 2010, 3:31 am
Author:
Debenhams
Industry: Retail
Debenhams has become the first retailer on the British high
street to launch a national window campaign featuring a disabled model
in all of its 160 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
The ground breaking imagery features disabled model Shannon Murray, along with
additional photography, mannequins and products in a display to launch the Debenhams
autumn winter womenswear.
The innovative display follows an approach by Nikki Fox and Natasha Wood, both
disability campaigners and presenters of the hit TV show, How to Look Good Naked,
which lead to a trial using Shannon in three stores earlier this year. The pilot
resulted in the some of the most responsive and positive feedback the retailer has
ever received prompting Debenhams to take new shots and roll out across all its
stores.
The move comes as a natural next step for Debenhams following campaigns featuring
plus size and petite models, un-airbrushed swim models and size 16 mannequins - all
since the start of 2010.
Debenhams hopes the latest move will encourage other retailers to follow suit and be
more versatile.
Celebrity stylist, presenter of 'How to Look Good Naked' and inclusivity
campaigner, Gok Wan, commented: "After months and months of hard work, this is
some of the best imagery I have seen on the British high street…ever.
"It is so inclusive and fabulous. This, for me, is bigger than anything else I have
ever personally worked on and I have never been so proud in my entire life."
Michael Sharp, Debenhams' Deputy Chief Executive said: "We cater for men and
women of all shapes and sizes, young and old, non-disabled and disabled. So
following on from our initial work with Shannon and the How to Look Good Naked team,
we wanted to make a commitment to continuing with this inclusive approach.
Shannon Murray, the disabled model who features in the new Debenhams window campaign
added: "I am delighted to be working with Debenhams again and I applaud their
dedication to represent real women on the high street.
I'm hoping that eventually other brands will follow Debenhams' lead and recognise
the diversity of their customers."
Nikki Fox praised the store for using Shannon in its campaign: "It was a very proud
moment for me when Debenhams agreed to cast our beautiful disabled model Shannon for
such a huge campaign, but what is even more exciting is how Debenhams have continued
their commitment to using Shannon.
"Debenhams is the first on the high street to regularly use a disabled model and
it's great that they have done so because they passionately believe in representing
everyone. I am very proud of what we have all achieved."
Mark Stevens, Head of Creative at Debenhams, and who heard Nikki and Natasha's
original pitch added: "We are committed to using a variety of models in our
photography, and have had a fantastic reaction to our work with Shannon so far.
"This second photo shoot and larger scale campaign was a natural next step as we
aim to be as representative and inclusive of our customers as possible. I've no
doubt we will carry on using disabled models in a variety of shoots in the future."
The images can be seen in Debenhams' womenswear autumn winter launch windows in all
stores across the UK and Ireland.
Debenhams is also trialling a revolutionary new wheelchair display product called a
Mannequal in its Oxford Street window. Debenhams will be asking customers to
feedback on this over the coming weeks.
ENDS
About Debenhams
Debenhams is a leading department stores group, and has a strong presence in key
product categories including dresses,
women's shoes, handbags, bridal lingerie, men's shoes and clothing, home ware and
children's wear with a number of Debenhams deals also on offer.
For further information please contact:
Michelle Dowdall
PR Manager - Womenswear & Childrenswear
Debenhams
33 Wigmore Street
London
W1U 1QX
0207 529 0236
www.debenhams.com
Back to previous page
Home page
Submit your press release
2025
