Before we embark on a new year, let’s take a look back at some of the many supermodels, designers, fashion houses and couture-conscious canines who showed the world in 2017 that compassion is always in fashion.
Supermodels Show Support for Paws Causes
Over the course of her career her face has graced the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Life and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, but in the eyes of animal lovers Christie Brinkley has never looked lovelier than when her image appeared on billboards along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in order to promote pet adoption. The supermodel struck a pose to help Main Line Animal Rescue, which united her with her rescue dog Chester, a photogenic Fido who features prominently on the billboard alongside with his famous Mom. The fashion icon has been a long-time supporter of the large no-kill shelter, (which cares for more than 360 adoptable companion animals on any given day) and in 2013 received a Humanitarian of the Year award from the non-profit for her efforts to help paws causes.
Photo Credit: PR Newswire/ Main Line Animal Rescue
As an international male model David Gandy hits the gym at least four times a week to keep his physique in peak condition, but the fun run he took part in for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home earlier this year was beneficial to both his heart and soul. Enjoying quality Dad/dog time with his new fur baby, Dora the Explorer (a Battersea dog who who had previously been fostered by the face of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue fragrance), the fashion star joined 900 runners and their Rovers for the Muddy Dog Challenge at Windsor Great Park, an obstacle course which raised funds for the paws cause. Gandy stated: “I can’t decide who enjoyed the mud more…me or Dora! She has become a special part of the family and I couldn’t imagine life without her. I’m so grateful to Battersea for the support they gave her. It’s been a great day to raise money for the charity, who continue to help other animals like Dora.”
In February the supermodel was among those who welcomed Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s branch in Old Windsor as Her Royal Highness (who has adopted two Jack Russell Terriers from the charity) officially took on the title of the non-profit’s royal patron:
David Gandy also stepped into his role as a Battersea Dogs and Cats Home ambassador (a title he has held since 2012) in early November as he stepped out on the red carpet with his fashion forward four-legged friend for the charity’s annual Collars and Coats fundraiser.
Months before they walked down the aisle, supermodel Kate Upton and World Series champion Justin Verlander went to bat for homeless dogs and cats by hosting a Grand Slam Pet Adoption event. Raised in The Sunshine State, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl pitched the option of pet adoption and raised funds for the paws cause as animals from SPCA Florida met potential pet parents outside Joker Marchant Stadium prior to the first pitch of a spring training game.
Potential pet parents enjoyed an afternoon of shopping AND adopting as fashion designer/model Nicky Hilton Rothschild and designer Roberta Freymann hosted an event for a paws cause. Combining style with substance, Freymann’s Roller Rabbit store in The Hamptons raised funds and found forever homes for adorable adoptables from Animal Haven no-kill shelter.
One of Ireland’s top models, Thalia Heffernan was surrounded by a bevy of beautiful barking buddies while promoting Visa Ireland’s two-day “tap to give” fundraising campaign in Kildare Village, with shoppers tapping their Visa cards on interactive screens in order to make donations to DSPCA (the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.)
Among the pack of pretty pups who struck poses for the promotion is the model’s own canine companion, Leonard Bowie Heffernan (named after Leonard Cohen and David Bowie, fans can follow the dashing dog on his own Instagram account, @leonardthelurcher). Having found her furry family member at DSPCA, the former competitor on Ireland’s edition of Dancing with the Stars recently stepped into the role of the animal charity’s first ambassador.
A few days after Ted– his barking buddy of the past 12 years– crossed Rainbow Bridge, British model Sam Reece found himself in the heavens performing a sponsored skydive for a paws cause. As part of Team Finn, the Ex on the Beach star leaped into the wild blue yonder to raise funds for the favorite charities of a retired police dog named Finn: German Shepherd Rescue Elite, which finds forever homes for members of the breed who are in need, as well as FiresideK9 and pensions4paws, which offer financial aid for the care of retired police dogs.
Fashion Designers and Influencers Help Dogs in Need
A creator of couture which has flattered such famous figures as Katy Perry, Madonna and Rihanna, Victor De Souza applauded adoptables who ruled the runway at Catwalk for Canines, an eco-friendly fashion show benefiting the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
As a fashion stylist Brad Goreski (from the Bravo docudrama It’s a Brad, Brad World, and E!’s Fashion Police) has created looks for such luminaries as Jessica Alba and Demi Moore. As an animal lover the devoted Dad to rescue dogs Penelope and Alice showed that trends may come and go, but compassion never goes out of style as he took to the stage to speak at Paw Works‘ 2017 Bark n’ Bubble event, which celebrated the more than 2,500 dogs and cats who have been saved by Paw Works since January 2015 while also raising funds to help Ventura County’s animals in need.
Iconic Italian fashion house Gucci announced that when it comes to animal welfare it will walk the walk, making all of its catwalk creations fur-free starting with the spring/summer 2018 collection. Now a part of the Fur Free Alliance, Gucci will auction off its remaining merchandise with includes fur, with all of the proceeds going to further the efforts of LAV (which in 2017 celebrated 40 years of protecting animals) and The Humane Society of the United States.
Literally giving the clothes off her back for a paws cause, social media influencer/makeup artist Jaclyn Hill auctioned off personal items from luxury labels like Gucci and Givenchy, with all of the money raised going to The Humane Society of the United States. The YouTube star chose the renowned animal welfare organization due to its recent efforts to save animals affected by Hurricane Irma.
Seamlessly weaving together fashion, functionality and philanthropy, London-based designer Michaela Jedinak donated £45 from each sale of her “Florence” dress for a limited time to The Mayhew Animal Home, the animal charity which united her with her canine companion (a Lurcher named Phoebe). Established in 1886, in 2017 alone The Mayhew Animal Home found forever families for 74 dogs and 261 cats.
Carolina Herrera and Christian Siriano, whose fashions are fixtures at every red carpet event, stepped out on to the orange carpet for the 20th annual ASPCA Bergh Ball, which was once again emceed by clothing icon Isaac Mizrahi. Held at The Plaza Hotel in New York City, the swank soiree raised close to $1.6 million to further the efforts of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
As the emcee for the 11th annual Fashion for Paws fundraiser for the Humane Rescue Alliance designer Carson Kressley, who shared his style skills on the Emmy Award-winning Bravo TV series Queer Eye, directed all eyes at the Grand Hyatt Washington to the Rovers who ruled the runway.
An ambassador for Boho B fashion collection, British reality personality Chloe Meadows joined explorer Ranulph Fiennes outside Parliament to promote a League Against Cruel Sports campaign to increase the sentences for perpetrators of dog fighting. While shining a spotlight on the plight of dogs who must unwillingly take part in the traumatic practice, The Only Way is Essex cast member– who was among the more than 85,000 concerned citizens who signed the League’s petition– had the opportunity to meet Cupcake, a rescued Staffordshire Terrier who had suffered broken teeth, nerve damage to one eye, blunt head trauma, and facial and neck scarring from her days of forced fighting and breeding.
Speaking out about the dogs’ suffering, the star stated: “I don’t understand how anyone can abuse animals and why so little is being done to stop it. Animals need our voice which is why I’m supporting the League Against Cruel Sports and their campaign to strengthen the law.”
Rovers Rule the Runway
At the 14th annual New York Pet Fashion Show stylish Spots got to go glam in global-influenced garb, all for a good cause. More than 150 fashion forward Fidos ruled the runway in canine creations from Ada Nieves, Anthony Rubio and other designers of doggie duds, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.
During LA Fashion Week two adorable adoptables from The Amanda Foundation commanded the catwalk in creations by Anthony Rubio.
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