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“I think it is astounding that I was
the first woman to take a company public. The fact that it took until
1982 and that it took an ex-model is bizarre.”
Debbie Moore began her career as a model in Manchester at the age of 15 (her first shoot was in New York) and was the subject of a Granada Television documentary, 'Model Couple'. She continued her modelling career in London, and a sudden weight-gain (later diagnosed as the result of an underactive thyroid) led to her interest in all things dance and health. When traditional therapies failed to restore her model figure, dance ('the ultimate exercise') was the one form of exercise that helped. 'Dance worked every muscle, even the facial ones, because I was so happy during class!'
The closure of the only dance studio in Central London inspired Debbie to create Pineapple Dance Studios in 1979, in an old pineapple warehouse in Covent Garden. Her aim was to make dance accessible to everyone because, in the words of Isadora Duncan, 'To dance is to live.'
She soon launched the Pineapple clothing range in response to the increasing demand for fashionable dancewear. She was inspired by the dancers in her studios and their unique ways of customizing and accessorizing their clothes to accentuate their fluid physicality, and Debbie is now credited with bringing cotton-Lycra to the high street. Debbie Moore became the first female Chairman to take her company public on the London Stock Exchange when Pineapple became a public company in 1982. In 1983, she published 'The Pineapple Dance Book', an insider's guide to the world of fitness and dance, including an exercise guide and diet tips.
In 1984, Debbie Moore was awarded the Veuve Clicquot 'Businesswoman of the Year Award' in recognition of her achievements as an entrepreneur, and in March 1988, she led the trend for management buy-outs by taking Pineapple back into private ownership.
In 1989, Debbie Moore published 'When A Woman Means Business' - a book offering business and lifestyle advice based on her own experiences and those of other pioneering female entrepreneurs.
In the same year, Debbie Moore and Pineapple were nominated for 'Contemporary Designer Of The Year' at the British fashion awards. In 1999, Debbie's book 'When A Woman Means Business' was reprinted in Chinese as an inspirational guide for Chinese businesswomen.
In July 2000, Debbie launched the 'Pineapple by Debbie Moore' range in Debenhams, which has now been extended to include leisurewear and childrenswear. Recent licensing deals are taking the Pineapple brand to a global audience, including a range of watches, bags and dance-inspired footwear.
In 2009 Debbie Moore celebrated 30 Years of Pineapple by opening a new flagship store in Covent Garden, opposite the studios she founded in 1979. She also launched a new Pineapple Dance website featuring an online store, and an exhibition of her designs featured in a retrospective of her work at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London.
Debbie Moore was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours List. In the same year the Sky One documentary series 'Pineapple Dance Studios' aired in the U.K. to critical acclaim, winning the Royal Television Society Award for Best Features and Lifestyle Series. The series has aired in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway and Singapore.
In 2011 The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) presented the founder of Pineapple Dance Studios Debbie Moore OBE with an honorary Master of Arts degree at UCA Rochester’s graduation ceremony on 13 July 2011 at Rochester Cathedral.
Pineapple and Debbie Moore support many
charities, through long-term corporate relationships and by
contributing in many ways to help raise awareness as well as funds.
Below is a list of some of the charities
and organisations that have received help and encouragement from
Pineapple. We recommend that you visit the sites by clicking the links
below; they are each informative and inspiring, and give information
about ways in which you too might be able to help!
The Henry Spink Foundation: The Henry Spink Foundation is an independent charity created to help families of children with severe disabilities of all kinds. They provide information on conventional and complementary/ alternative medicine, therapies and research relating to a very wide range of physical and mental disorders. Visit the website
i-LEAP: Helping children from 0-100 with learning difficulties to fulfil their human potential. The benefits of the i-LEAP program are not confined to those suffering from learning disorders and can be truly life changing. Debbie Moore OBE is a trustee. Visit the website
Baan Wa Na Luang: A ‘home in the forest’ for orphans in the Mae Hong Song province in Thailand. Providing shelter, education, training and care and giving hope for the future of 220 children who have lost both their parents. Visit the website Google translated version of the website
The Sunflower Jam: Sunflower Jam believe that true health embrace physical, emotional and mental well being. That an integrated approach creates the ultimate healing environment. The charity promotes holistic and integrated care for children, young people, adults and their families with a range of acute and chronic emotional, mental and physical conditions. A natural approach to wellness, which embraces holistic healing and a commitment to achieve the best chance for a positive outcome. Visit the website
DCD: Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) has been supporting professional dance for over 35 years. The program helps dancers to make the often difficult transition from professional dancing to a new career by giving them the confidence and skills they need to keep working beyond dance. Visit the website
Working Families: Changing the way we live and work: Working Families is the UK’s leading work-life balance organisation. They help working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. Visit the website
The Night of 1000 Voices: An annual event for the benefit of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Visit the website
The Variety Club: The Variety Club is dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people who need our help. They do this by raising funds for specialist minibuses, wheelchairs, sports equipment, hospital wards, and all sorts of other practical solutions that enable individuals, projects and organisations across the UK to give a wider range of opportunities to the children in their care. Visit the website
Photography
- Debbie Moore on the London Stock Exchange, 1982
- Debbie wins Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year, 1984
- Debbie Moore and Friend by John Swannell - Goodbye to modelling.
- Debbie Moore and Cherie Booth QC, Working Families meeting at No. 10 Downing Street
- Debbie and Dame Shirley Bassey - Elizabeth Fitzroy Support Dinner - Nobu, London
- Debbie and Darryl Hannah with friends. Thailand - Working to help the hill tribes in Chiang Mai
- Debbie and Ivana Trump - Preparing for The Walk With Cancer Ball
- Debbie and Dianne Thompson - Reception for Women in Business, Buckingham Palace
- Debbie and Roger Black at City Hall with students in support of NCH and Roger Black's Olympic Challenge.
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