Finalist from Orange County Announced in Nationwide Fashion Design Contest

(Oct. 20, 2009) - Local student, Alyssa Garcia, will represent The Art Institute of California - Orange County 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.

Garcia began designing her own figure skating costumes at a very young age. At first, she would have them made for her but as soon as she could, she was sewing them herself. To stand out in this competition, she decided to design a jumper instead of a dress and to use the fur in a way she had not seen other designers do before.

"This outfit was meant to be reminiscent of a tuxedo with a sleek, wide leg, button down front and a belt that ties with a bow in the back," Garcia said. "Instead of a collar, I used faux fur to trim the neckline and low back of the jumper."

"The competition was fierce this year but Alyssa Garcia's elegant, edgy evening wear was the clear winner," said Mary Ann Gale, Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing & Management Academic Director at The Art Institute of California - Orange County. "The black, slinky jumpsuit with contrasting faux fur trim was both classic and forward thinking."

Garcia 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 www.artinstitutes.edu/coolvcruel.

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

The Art Institute of California-Orange County - Tricia Cook: 714.338.1303;  tcook@aii.edu