"Cool Vs. Cruel" Fashion Competition At The Bowery Hotel. Nothing Faux Here But The Fur!

[Tim Morehouse and Jason Rogers with Richie Rich]

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The Humane Society of the United States in collaboration with The Arts Institutes threw their fourth annual “Cool vs. Cruel” ceremony at the Bowery Hotel last night. In addition to celebrating fur-free fashion and treating guests to the eclectic sounds of DJs Albert Hammond of the Strokes and supermodel Agyness Deyn, the event honored the winner of the national animal-friendly fashion design competition (Gohar Rajabzadeh). The participating designers were in attendance along with other notables such as, Nigel Barker, Charlotte Ronson, Richie Rich, Marc Bouwer, Jay McCarroll, as well as our very own “Temporary Socialites” Jason Rogers and Tim Morehouse.

More story and photos below:

Apparently not all of the guests got the memo of the fur-free policy, as one was overheard saying, “What do I do? I have my Gucci silver fox coat at the coat check. Should I worry?” As soon as she realized that virtually all of those in attendance were sporting their very own “No Fur” pins, she took her Gucci fox coat and high-tailed it out of there (pun intended).

The competition continues to grow in popularity among students at The Art Institutes. Zaykovskaya is among the 15 local finalists who were chosen out of more than 160 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-expense paid, week-long internship during New York Fashion Week with a celebrated fur-free designer. The HSUS is co-hosting the award presentation with 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.”