Finalist from Fort Lauderdale Announced in Nationwide Fashion Design Contest

(Oct. 20, 2009) - Local student, Gilberto Alvarez, will represent The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in The Humane Society of the United States' fifth annual Cool vs. Cruel Fashion Design Competition. Cool vs. Cruel challenges students enrolled in The Art Institutes Fashion Design programs throughout North America to improve a runway look by Burberry, Thakoon, Michael Kors or Alexander McQueen, by finding creative ways to replace and reinterpret the use of animal fur.

"My design stands out from many of the others I saw in my class and from past winners," said Alzarez. "Not only because of the use of the synthetic hair I used, but the dress has a deeper meaning. I wanted people to visualize the synthetic hair as if it were them that was captured and tortured for their hair."

A West Palm Beach native, Alvarez's design was inspired by three of the four designs that students were given to choose from. The use of color for the hair was inspired by the bright color used in the Thakoon design; the metal rings, straps, and choice of vinyl in the garment were inspired by the Alexander McQueen design; and the Michael Kors design inspired length of the hem.

Alvarez is among the 16 local finalists who were chosen out of more than 100 entries to compete for the top prize nationally. Their entries will be judged by a panel of fashion industry judges including designers Marc Bouwer, Charlotte Ronson, Victoria Bartlett, Nick Friedberg and Elizabeth Olsen; magazine editors Dana Wood, Mickey Boardman and Shelly Vella; and renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker. The grand-prize winner will receive a trip to New York City for the award presentation on Nov. 11, as well as an expense paid, weeklong internship during NY Fashion Week with celebrated fur-free designer Victoria Bartlett.

"This contest allows future professional designers to show major designers like Michael Kors or Alexander McQueen that not only is fur unnecessary, but that there are more creative and aesthetically pleasing design options on the table for those with an innovative eye and a compassionate fashion philosophy," said Sarika Reuben, deputy manager of the HSUS' fur-free campaign."

Learn more at humanesociety.org/coolvscruel or http://www.artinstitutes.edu/pr.aspx?ID=ai1007.

Media contact: The HSUS - Heather Sullivan: 301.548.7778; hsullivan@humanesociety.org

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale - Arlene Wites: 954.308.2109; awites@aii.edu