Elysian kicked off New York Fashion Week with the launch of their Inaugural CatWalk FurBaby fundraiser at Sony Hall in New York City.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 10: Karen Floyd speaks on stage during Elysian Impact’s Inaugural CatWalk FurBaby Fashion Show at Sony Hall on February 10, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Elysian is a known international luxury lifestyle brand created to inspire and reflect the interests of women. Elysian Founder & CEO Karen Floyd developed the concept for the Inaugural CatWalk FurBaby fundraiser as a way to bring together creative powerhouses, women change-makers, and animal welfare organizations. She states, “this is the first time that fashion, animals, and charity have been brought together in New York Fashion Week.” This fundraiser helped create awareness and raise funds for countless pets around the world in need of help.
This show paired designers, models, rescue animals, and charities with one another to help raise money and bring attention to the number of animals who need rescuing. The entire event was hosted by Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin and showcased designs by Marc Bouwer, Malan Breton, Karen Caldwell, Anne Fontaine, Gloria Lee, Merci Dupre, Nicole Miller, Noize Apparel, Victor de Souza, and Brook Wilder. Along with gracing the runway with unique designs displaying various concepts, these models were also accompanied by a four-legged companion. The dogs that walked the runway were representatives of the rescue organizations that helped offer them a second chance and the opportunity to find a forever home. The ten animal welfare organizations that were represented were Operation Kindness (Texas), Friends of Williamson County Animal Shelter (Tennessee), Jameson Humane (California), Danny & Ron’s Rescue (South Carolina and Florida), Big Dog Ranch Rescue (Florida), Freedom Dogs (Ohio and California), Strong Island Animal Rescue League (New York), Global Strays (New York, International), Animal Advocates of Barnwell County (South Carolina), and Companion Animal Alliance (Louisiana). Puppy Models for the show were provided by Rescue Dogs Rock NYC (New York) and the Spartanburg Humane Society (South Carolina).
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The Inaugural awards were presented to; The Judges Choice: Global Strays (Designer: Gloria Lee), People’s Choice: Big Dog Ranch Rescue (Designer: Anne Fontaine), Publishers Choice: Danny & Ron’s Rescue (Designer: Marc Bouwer).
About the Award Winners:
Global Strays – A World-wide mission to reduce the suffering of animals in impoverished regions through funding of animal shelters and bringing services directly into communities in an effort to increase well-being.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue – Since its foundation in 2008, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has saved over 50,000 dogs with their mission to save 5,000 dogs every year, to heal and place them with loving families and to educate about proper care.
Danny & Ron’s Rescue – After the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Danny & Ron’s Rescue has aided dogs that were left homeless by the storm and has grown to rescue puppy mill dogs, bait dogs and shelter dogs.
