New York Fashion Week Event Combines High Fashion and Philanthropy

Celebrating the harmony between high fashion and charitable causes, five dogs from a local S.C. Humane Society took to the runway in New York City during this Fashion Week. The event, hosted by the Spartanburg Humane Society, occurred thanks to a collaboration with fashion designers and a women’s lifestyle magazine Elysian.

Dogs in the Spotlight at NYFW

The Spartanburg Humane Society was one of 21 non-profit organizations that participated in Elysian’s second annual CatWalk FurBaby. This philanthropic fashion event pairs national non-profits with fashion designers who create matching outfits worn by both models and dogs on the runway. The objective is to raise awareness for each respective cause and also compete for one of the three prizes worth $25,000 each – The People’s Choice Award, the Judge’s Award, or the Publisher’s Award.

The participating dogs, brought from Spartanburg, were selected based on their behavior, small size, and ability to walk on a leash. Angel Cox, the CEO of Spartanburg Humane Society, stated these were important factors considering the audience and potential adopters being largely from New York City, where co-op boards often do not allow large pets.

Humane Society’s Second Year Participation

This event marked the second year of the Spartanburg Humane Society’s participation, and the first year where they formed a team with a designer and model. Last year, two dogs found loving homes due to their participation at the event. Cox expressed immense excitement for their involvement, not just for the opportunity to home these pets, but also for the chance to tell the organization’s story on a national stage.

Raising Awareness through Fashion

The fashion component of the event saw Greenville designer Christina Strayer get innovative by crafting a dog harness and model’s outfit using repurposed leashes and dog tags. This aligns with the Humane Society’s narratives of giving animals multiple chances to find a permanent home. Strayer stated that they intend to convey this concept through the reused materials, with a theme based on the Broadway show, Hamilton, using the song ‘Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.

A Philanthropic Initiative

CatWalk FurBaby aims to spotlight non-profits in five sectors, including: animals, children, the environment, public service, and women. This year saw the participation of eight South Carolina-based non-profits. The event took place at the Sony Hall in New York City and also offered a live-streaming option through the ELYSIAN Connect app.