Compassion in Fashion/Wear Aware
It was a day for the animals. The Humane Society of the United States’ Hollywood office and Animal Avengers celebrated with a special day of cruelty-free fashion during Los Angeles Fashion Week. The events were coincidentally scheduled on Nov. 2 and held at separate locations within blocks of each other in Hollywood.
Actress Shannon Elizabeth, co-founder of Animal Avengers, said the two organizations, once they realized the serendipity of their scheduling, did work together to crosspromote the events. “We really all believe that we should be working together and not against each other,” she said.
Fashion was a highlight of the HSUS Spotlight Humane benefit event, which showcased a diverse range of crueltyfree products. Over 500 visitors attended the afternoon event held at the Hollywood Palladium. Companies dedicated to manufacturing cruelty-free fashions—including Natural High Lifestyle, Wildlife Works, Fabulous Furs and Comfurts by Ken Alan—kicked off the event with a runway fashion show displaying their animal-friendly clothes.
Later in the day, several Los Angeles designers—including Kate O’ Connor, Gaelyn and Cianfarani, Corey Lynn Calter, Bao Tranchi, Sue Wong, Tree and Shoes With Souls—presented their cutting-edge cruelty-free fashions in a fashion show called “Compassion in Fashion.” The show featured clothing made without the use of animal products such as leather, pearls and fur. The event also included a cruelty-free products expo and live and silent auctions.
For more information, go to www.spotlighthumane.org Animal Avengers held its first-ever Wear Aware event at CineSpace to benefit the organization in its mission to help save animals.
Coalition of Los Angeles Designers (CLAD) member Julia Szkiba of Bee Naughty Clothing organized the benefit with the nonprofit organization founded by Elizabeth and her husband, director Joseph Reitman. As a pet owner and animal lover, Szkiba wanted to combine a cruelty-free fashion show with an event to raise money and awareness about Animal Avengers.
“We wanted to tie onto the end of fashion week and kind of keep the theme of the week going,” she said.
CLAD members Andrew Christian, Bee Naughty Clothing, Naqada by Octavio Carlin, Ooloon and San Paredes showed their designs, as did Sanni Diesner, Starr D and Naftali Fern. The fashion show was packed with celebrities, including emcees Mila Kunis and Laura Prepon from “That ’70s Show” and models Elizabeth, Amy Davidson and Kaley Cuoco of “8 Simple Rules,” Lisa Donovan and Marcellas Reynolds of “Big Brother 3,” Lisa Arturo of “American Pie 2,” Jamie Luner of “Melrose Place” and Linda Park of “Enterprise.”
The event also included a silent auction, a mini shopping boutique and musical performances by Mark Latham and Chris Valenti.
For more information, go to www.animalavengers.com. —N. Jayne Seward
