Finalist from Indianapolis Announced in Nationwide Fashion Design Contest
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(Oct. 20, 2009) - Local student and Indianapolis native, Jeremy Hunt, will represent The Art Institute of Indianapolis 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.
Hunt's design was inspired by a dress that had fur shoulders. Instead of fur, Hunt used draping to create the texture and volume of piled fur. This manipulation created the same desire to touch and explore the garment as fur without the animal cruelty.
"I believe that using fur is just unnecessary," said Hunt. "Besides synthetic fur, there are plenty of other means for designers to get the same look and feel in your garments without the animal cruelty."
Hunt 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 Indianapolis - Abby Shaffer: 317.613.4858; ashaffer@aii.edu