Finalist from The Art Institute of Portland Announced in Nationwide Fashion Design Contest
Cool vs. Cruel Competition Sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States in Partnership with The Art Institutes
(Oct. 10, 2008) — Local student Xuefeng Chang will represent The Art Institute of Portland in The Humane Society of the United States’ fourth annual Cool vs. Cruel fashion competition. The Cool vs. Cruel competition inspires students enrolled in The Art Institutes’ fashion programs in its schools across North America to produce fur-free, animal-friendly fashions by using their own creativity to replace animal fur.
Chang’s garment is an asymmetrical, green satin dress with ruffle detail. (see image)
“The technical quality and elegance of Chang’s dress make this entry a successful and inspired reinterpretation of a traditional, sleek fur look,” says Sue Bonde, department director for accessory and apparel design and fashion marketing at The Art Institute of Portland. “This entry was consistent with the design intent of the inspiration photos without using a stitch of fur. It’s fabulous!”
The competition continues to grow in popularity among students at The Art Institutes. Chang, a native of Portland, Ore., is among the 15 local finalists who were chosen out of more than 150 entries to compete for the top prize nationally. Their entries will be judged by a star-studded panel of judges, including celebrities and top designers. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to New York City for the Nov. 13 award presentation and an all-expenses paid, week-long internship during New York Fashion Week with a celebrated fur-free designer. The award presentation will be co-hosted by Nigel Barker, world-renowned fashion photographer and judge on “America’s Next Top Model.”
“This contest gives young designers the opportunity to showcase their compassion and talent through cruelty-free, fashion-forward design,” said Kristin Leppert, director of the Fur-Free Campaign for The Humane Society of the United States. “Today’s consumers don’t want to buy a garment that might have been ripped off the back of a conscious animal. These students join an ever-growing list of designers and retailers who reject the cruelty of fur production. We applaud their pledge to make compassion their fashion.”
Learn more at humanesociety.org/coolvscruel or artinstitutes.edu/coolvcruel.
Media contacts:
The HSUS – Heather Sullivan: 301.548.7778; hsullivan@humanesociety.org
The Art Institute of Portland – Allena Baker: 503.382.4843; abbaker@aii.edu
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 40 locations throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.