(Oct. 15, 2009) - Local student, Marisela Frias San Miquel, will represent The Art Institute of Tucson 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.
Frias San Miquel lived in Sonora Mexico until the age nine when she moved to Tucson with her family. Her design entry is a two-piece garment inspired by Alexander McQueen. The shirt is a sleeveless black poly-satin princess line garment with stand collar and exposed zipper. She added the front closing vest made from royal blue poly-satin strips trimmed with black nylon lace and joined together with titanium-welded rings. The skirt is black poly-satin underskirt with black soft eco-friendly yarn made to look like Persian lamb and a royal blue satin waistband. Marisela included a black satin bow trimmed with soda can pop-tops that can be worn as a headband or a neckband.
"We chose Marisela's garment because we felt that she took the inspiration garment and really made it her own, while staying within the criteria of being fur-free and creative," said Elizabeth Heuisler academic director, fashion design at The Art Institute of Tucson. "She paid careful attention to the details and completed a well-constructed garment with a fun, younger, hipper look."
Frias San Miquel 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