Denver Student Selected as Finalist in Fur-Free Design Contest
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Denver Student Selected as Finalist in Fur-Free Design Contest
Humane Society of the United States and The Art Institutes conduct Cool vs. Cruel fashion competition
(Oct. 25, 2011) – Local fashion design student Effrain Guerrero will represent The Art Institute of Colorado in the seventh annual national Cool vs. Cruel Fashion Design Competition. Guerrero’s design was selected from his/her school to advance as a finalist in the competition. Guerrero is one of 18 finalists from across North America who will compete in the fur-free fashion design competition sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”) and The Art Institutes.
“I was intrigued by the by the process of using fabrics that would behave and look like leather and fur without actually being leather and fur,” said Guerrero. “My experience in this competition is that I learned how to expand above and beyond conventional and traditional fabric choices.”
The competition challenges Art Institutes students in fashion design programs throughout the United States and in Vancouver to creatively reinterpret and replace animal fur on runway designs by Fendi, Alexander McQueen, Gucci or Oscar de la Renta. This year’s finalists were selected from among more than 200 entries.
“This competition gives the next generation of designers the opportunity to learn about why many people are opposed to animal fur, as well as try their hand at alternatives,” said Michelle McDonald, fashion outreach manager of the fur-free campaign for The HSUS.
As a finalist, Guerrero has been awarded a cash prize in addition to being entered into the national competition. The national grand-prize winner will receive an expense-paid, week-long internship in New York City with a celebrated designer from the panel of judges.
The judging panel consists of professionals from the fashion industry, including designers Travis and Leanne Anderson; John Bartlett; Victoria Bartlett; Leanne Hilgart; Elizabeth Olsen; fashion photographer Nigel Barker; magazine editors Mickey Boardman and Shelly Vella; and The Discerning Brute blog founder Joshua Katcher.
Photos of Guerrero and his design are available upon request.
Learn more about the contest and see the original runway looks at www.CoolvsCruel.org. Find out more about The Art Institute of Colorado visit www.artinstitutes.edu/denver.
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The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of over 45 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University.
See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.