Local student Patrice Goodluck will represent The Art Institute of New York City 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.
Goodluck’s design is a1950s inspired halter-style body suit with a retro-fit. The base fabric is dark wash, 100 percent cotton denim, with hand-sewn bronze zipper trimming constructed in a pattern to create texture.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Goodluck became interested in fashion at a very early age. “My grandmother and my mother both sewed. I watched them, and was inspired to sew and design myself,” she said.
Goodluck 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,”
