On November 6, The Humane Society of the United States and The Art Institutes announced the winners of the annual Cool vs. Cruel fur-free fashion design competition.

In its fourth year, The Cool vs. Cruel Competition educates the future generation of designers enrolled in The Art Institutes schools fashion programs about the cruelty of the fur industry, and encourages these designers to explore fur-free, animal-friendly fashions as a viable alternative.

Tatiana Zaykovskaya from The Art Institute of California & San Diego was announced as the Second Place winner and will receive a $600 cash award for her animal print-inspired design.  Zaykovskaya’s black taffeta polyester cocktail dress was created to resemble the look of a mysterious animal.  Fabric manipulation techniques were used to highlight the unique textures and embellishments which add dimension to the natural fibers of the fabric.

Sheena Gao, director of fashion design and fashion marketing management said, “Tatiana’s work is exceptionally executed, sophisticated, and is a solid representation of cruelty-free creativity.  We are privileged to have such a student of natural talent and poise in the fashion department.”

Zaykovskaya was among the 15 local finalists who were chosen out of more than 150 entries to compete for the top prize nationally. Their entries were judged by a star-studded panel of judges, including celebrities and top designers. The HSUS is co-hosting the award presentation with Nigel Barker, world-renowned fashion photographer and judge on “America’s Next Top Model.”

The awards ceremony to celebrate the student designers and their winning garments was held in New York City on Wednesday, Nov.12 at the Bowery Hotel at 335 Bowery, and was attended by many of the celebrity judges.

Celebrity judges and honorary committee members for this year's competition include: Ann-Dexter Jones, Brittany Murphy, Betsey Johnson, Benjamin Cho, Charlotte Ronson, The Donnas, Loden Dager, Maggie Rizer, Maroon 5, Milla Jovovich, Mickey Boardman, Monet Mazur, Nicky Hilton, Nigel Barker, Rain Phoenix, Samantha Ronson, Steven Klein, Suede and Victoria Bartlett.

The fifteen finalists' garments were on display at the Nov 12 awards ceremony. To view the entries, and learn more about the Cool vs. Cruel Competition visit: The Art Institutes or The HSUS' Web sites.

The Art Institute of California – San Diego is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting animal cruelty—On the web at humanesociety.org