DEBBIE MOORE, OBE
Debbie Moore founded Pineapple Dance Studios in 1979, in an old pineapple warehouse in Covent Garden. Her aim was to make dance accessible to everyone because, in her words, 'To dance is to live.'
Soon afterwards, Debbie launched Pineapple's clothing range in response to the demand for fashionable dancewear.
Debbie Moore’s milestones:
1982
Debbie is the first female Chairman to walk the floor of the London Stock Exchange when Pineapple becomes a public company in 1982.
1983
'The Pineapple Dance Book' is published, Debbie’s insider's guide to the world of fitness and dance, including an exercise guide and diet tips.
1984
Debbie is awarded the Veuve Clicquot 'Businesswoman Of The Year Award' in recognition of her achievements as an entrepreneur.
1988
Leading the trend for management buy-outs, Debbie re-privatises Pineapple.
1989
Debbie’s second book, ‘When a Woman Means Business’, is published – offering business and lifestyle advice based on her own experiences and those of other pioneering female entrepreneurs.
1989
Pineapple is nominated for 'Contemporary Designer Of The Year' at the British fashion awards.
1999
'When A Woman Means Business' is reprinted in Chinese as an inspiration to Chinese female business students.
2000
The 'Pineapple by Debbie Moore' range in Debenhams, which has now been extended to include swimwear, leisurewear and childrenswear.
In 2009 Debbie Moore was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List for services to business. In the same year she was awarded a Special Commendation at the Women of the Future Awards, for her work as an entrepreneur and mentor.
To celebrate Pineapple’s 30th anniversary, and building on Pineapple’s unique and highly successful partnership with Debenhams, Debbie re-created key original Pineapple styles exclusively for on-line retailer ASOS with her renowned attention to comfort, fit, function and quality.
During the anniversary year a 30 year retrospective exhibition was launched at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, with displays of Debbie's designs for Pineapple.
Viewers of Sky1 HD can watch a twelve-episode 'observational documentary' series set around the world-famous Pineapple Dance Studios in London, which follows the lives of teachers, pupils and staff at the studios as they attend auditions, rehearsals and performances in a unique setting. The series which began on Sky One in February, 2010, is available on Freeview from August, 2011.
Pineapple Dance Studios is now firmly established as one of the world's premiere dance centres and the Pineapple clothing range continues to set fashion trends. Pineapple's latest project is a series of dance DVDs, allowing people to learn dance at home.