Introducing Fashion for Conservation

By Kelly Zwicker

Fashion for Conservation (FFC) is just the combination Seattle culture needed. Combining a love for animal rights and conservation with the innovative eye of fashion is so unique, as is the FFC team. Everyone dedicates time and effort into making the company what it is today, and everyone has a role. The talent and motivations of all teams within FFC strive to play to their strengths and constantly support each other to reach new milestones.

Pictured: Director of Bilingual Affairs Cayetana San Segundo, Marketing Director Vilté Rooney, Co-Founder Ava J Holmes

Pictured: A handful of the dedicated members of the FFC team

Ava J. Holmes, the founder of FFC, believes in bridging the gap between the industries of conservation and fashion. “Fashion for Conservation to me is where creativity meets conservation,” she explains,  “It is a family of people from many diverse, even eclectic backgrounds contributing their unique experience in raising awareness and funds for meaningful causes.”

Pictured: Co-founder Ava J Holmes and Creative Director Nazy Alvarez. PC: Fashion Lab

The Fashion for Conservation team has hopes of obtaining a physical presence in 6 countries by the end of 2017. The current events have been hosted in the United States, United Kingdom, and British Columbia. Another goal is to boost the social media presence of FFC in order to secure a higher position in the world of invigorating fashion. Ideally, conservation inspired fashion will be a staple in the future, and will become a well-known concept to much more expanded audience.

Pictured: Runway to Peru fashion show. Represents the future global expansion of FFC influence.

Pictured: Members of the FFC team strategizing behind the scenes of Runway to Peru.

Current ways to stay updated with FFC efforts and events is through our blog and social media, encouraging individuals to attend global events, shop the wildlife inspired online store, or make direct donations.

Pictured: Co-Founder Samantha Zwicker in a No Voice hoodie, available online at fashionforconservation.com

Raising conservation awareness in itself is not an easy task, for this combination of industries is also educational for those less aware of animal welfare issues worldwide. FFC’s unique approach and lack of normality connects individuals in the world of fashion, film, and the arts to current real-world issues. In addition to producing creative pieces with the courtesy of sponsored designers, FFC educates consumers on animals and ecosystems and how to prioritize the purchasing of more sustainable clothing options.

Samantha Zwicker, co-founder of FFC and founder of non-profit Hoja Nueva, is thankful for the fashion and conservation idea, given it is what she refers to as a “grassroots movement,” started by a group of passionate people wanting to make a positive impact on the world. “Our team means the world to me,” she exclaims, “we are a like a living, breathing organism that feeds off of each other’s energy, using our individual skills and creativity to produce unique, impactful events for amazing causes.”

The actual fashion behind the eco-fashion shows are not as literal as one may think. Instead, pieces represent the idea of animals through colors and textures. Elephantasia, for instance, is a current campaign of FFC’s in 2017. A portion of sales go to the conservation of elephants and the quality of elephant sanctuaries. Elephantasia will be promoted on FFC’s upcoming European tour, complete with fashion shows to showcase the elephant inspired apparel. Elephantasia will be hitting the runways of Europe as soon as July 18th at  Ibiza Fashion Week and ending with a bang at London Fashion Week SS18.

The striking beauty and innocence of animals shows through the creativity of designers’ pieces, furthering the stance to preserve wildlife worldwide. Vilté Rooney, founder of Baltic Creative and creative team member of FFC, is also very passionate about animal rights, and working with other individuals that strive to change the world. “I have been in the fashion industry for over a decade,” she says “and for the first time I feel like I am part of something that is actually making a difference through the fashion community.”

FFC brings awareness to the importance of wildlife conservation.

Overall, Fashion for Conservation will grow and evolve in the Seattle community as well as globally through increased engagement and people believing in the cause. With a determined team working together to bring out inspiring content and increased awareness of animal conservation, FFC will become an essential piece to the fashion industry.