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Fur-Free Competition Sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States in Collaboration with The Art Institutes

[SAN DIEGO, NOVEMBER 23, 2009] – Local student Tatiana Zaykovskaya will represent The Art Institute of California – San Diego 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.

Zaykovskaya was born and raised in Novosibirsk, Russia. She made the long journey to San Diego to pursue her degree in fashion design. Her “Fashion Soldier” design, inspired by a Michael Kors creation, represents hope for change. The dress highlights a palette of pure cream satin and white vinyl trim, coupled with the epaulettes made of synthetic hair and clear glass jewels sewn on by hand. The uniqueness of Zaykovskaya’s garment can be found in her creative use of long, platinum hair extensions, which she trimmed into shorter pieces to fit her original vision of a feminine, yet edgy, military-inspired design.

“Fashion is my passion,” said Zaykovskaya. “I enjoy doing everything connected to fashion, whether it’s drawing, sewing or daydreaming. I also enjoy taking care of my greyhound Niki, who I rescued two and a half years ago. I’m thankful for the opportunity to rescue Niki, and I hope people around the world feel the same compassion when they realize the extreme level of cruelty within the fur-manufacturing industry.”

Zaykovskaya 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 New York 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 artinstitute.edu/coolvcruel.

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

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. 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 over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

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