(Oct. 20, 2009) - Local student, Cathy Dam, will represent The Art Institute of California - Hollywood 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.
Before arriving in the United States, Cathy Dam grew up in Vietnam. She designed her garment with the idea of a happy coexistence between animals and people. Inspired by the rabbit, she was very concerned with the types of trim she might use to create her garment. Using the original fabric, she cut strips and pulled out thread until the pieces only had a side seam. This time consuming process produced an animal like texture with incredible flow. Cathy hopes her entry will make consumers think twice about animal products in fashion and sees success for the industry in the future.
"The biggest thing I think I can bring to the fashion world is that I can design garments which will make use of man-made fur, so I can dress up everyone," exclaims Cathy.
Dam 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 California - Hollywood - Sarah Carlson: 818.299.5159; sacarlson@aii.edu