2014-2018

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

FASHION FOR CONSERVATION DEBUTED ITS ELEPHANT-INSPIRED CATWALK EXHIBITION AT LONDON FASHION WEEK TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE ELEPHANT POACHING CRISIS

LONDON – Elephant silhouettes rocked the runway during London Fashion Week, as Fashion for Conservation presented their Elephantasia campaign raising awareness and funds for African elephants.

Twenty-four international designers featured couture pieces created to encourage guests to engage in conservation and make conscious fashion choices. Intricate elephant shapes sewn in gold on silk by Kromagnon, white silk double-breasted evening pantsuit featuring elephant-painted lining by Gabriela Rose, voluminous grey coats by Amin Phillips and Autonomous, colorful elephant print dresses by Tatiana Shebelnik, and a robust royal empire jumpsuit by Annafora graced the runway. Closing the show was a stunning oversized couture piece of muted green strands with a mesh underlay by Rene Garza of Re.ne(w). To accessorize the collection, C.Nicol showed off whimsical vegan backpacks made from pineapple husk, and Ashanti Renee showcased an array of intricately beaded tribal jewelry made by women in Africa. Others included Free Mind, Gypset Girl, Dawnamatrix, J. Von Stratton, Meredith Allen, AS Fashion Ibiza, Shriti Pratap, Ivory Ella, NO VOICE and Prophetik.

“VIP guests were earmarked with a white painted X on their hands to symbolize our fight against extinction,” states Ava Holmes, Fashion for Conservation co-founder. “We also presented goodie bags equipped with the first issue of our Fashion for Conservation magazine, highlighting elephant-inspired editorials, moving interviews with conservationists and this season’s participating designers.”

While the hauntingly beautiful live vocal and instrumental by Shaman Medicine Man Anthar Kharana entertained, the Elephantasia collection mesmerized all...reminding guests that preservation and protection of one of the most beautiful animals in the world depends on us.

The Elephantasia collection and FFFC Magazine are available for purchase online with proceeds benefitting the African Wildlife Foundation. A portion of all proceeds and 100% of donations benefit African Wildlife Foundation whose U.K. representative Kirstin Jhonson topped the night off with an eloquent keynote speech on the facts and critical efforts behind her team’s work.

Fashion for Conservation was founded by three women determined to make a positive impact on the world through conservation-inspired couture. Nazanine Afshar (Art Director, British Vogue), Dr. Samantha Zwicker (wildlife conservationist) and Ava Holmes (wilderness survivor and fashion week producer), combined their talents and passions to create fashion campaigns that educate consumers on animals and ecosystems, while donating 100% of funds raised to wildlife groups.

To stay up to date on the campaign follow #Elephantasia @FashionforConservation and @Elephantasia2017 on Instagram.