Independent fashion designers are invited to enter their fur free fashions in the fourth annual Born Free USA fffashion competition for a chance to win prizes, significantly boost their fashion career, be featured in a national magazine, and help promote the ethical and environmental benefits of fur free fashion.
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Entrants will have the chance to have their submissions judged by an expert panel including international design and couture legend Elizabeth Emanuel, perhaps best-known for creating Princess Diana’s wedding gown; actress, best-selling author and beauty expert Victoria Principal; and Melissa Rivers, host of fashion events on TV Guide Channel and Fashion Police on E!, among other star-studded red carpet and reality programs.
The judging panel also includes Marina Draghici, Broadway, film and television Tony Award-winning costume designer and Hollywood stylist; Julia Barr, two-time Emmy Award winning actress most famous for her role as Brooke on “All My Children”; Brita Belli, editor of E/The Environmental Magazine; eco-model, activist and green living expert Summer Rayne Oakes; and fashion stylist and journalist Devon Poer.
According to Monica Engebretson, senior program associate at Born Free USA, who oversees the competition, “This is an extraordinary opportunity for emerging fashion designers to gain exposure in the industry and showcase their talent, while promoting compassionate eco-savvy designs. Born Free’s fffashion campaign and this annual competition aim to send a message to fashion designers, retailers, and consumers that fur has no place in socially conscious ethical fashion.”
Previous fffashion competition winners include designer Valerie Mayen, a competitor on the 2009 season of Project Runway.
To compete in 2012, designers must create a fur-free woman’s or man’s coat, shirt, pants, dress, skirt or suit. For details, rules, and to enter the competition, go to www.bornfreeusa.org/fffashion. Deadline for entries is April 15, 2012. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, selected from the top ten finalists. There will also be a “Green Award” and a “Student Award.”
Born Free USA is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to the United States the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film “Born Free,” along with their son Will Travers, now chief executive officer of both organizations. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally.
More at www.bornfreeusa.org; on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.