Just how fabulous was CatWalk FurBaby 2024?
Between the electrifying music, the dazzling ensembles, and the money raised for not one but three animal rescues, ELYSIAN’s second-annual signature event kicking off New York Fashion Week was an unparalleled success.
Models and pets strutted the runway in couture outfits that not only sparkled but symbolized meaningful causes, from animal welfare to women’s empowerment. ELSYIAN Founder and Publisher Karen Floyd said as she welcomed a packed Sony Hall, “Ripples create waves, and waves create change.”
Taking the baton from Floyd was the legendary Fern Mallis, founder of New York Fashion Week. Known as the “Godmother of Fashion,” Mallis reminded the audience of the legacy of New York as the fashion capital, emphasizing how fashion, much like philanthropy, can be a conduit for change.
CatWalk FurBaby doubled in size in its second year, growing from 10 charities represented in 2023 to 21 charities in 2024. “We had a lot of new faces, new connections and representation from across the nation . . . And on multiple occasions, the world!” ELYSIAN Impact Director Kimberli Scott said.
With the teams competing in five different ELYSIAN Impact categories—women, children, animals, service and the environment—the sheer range of the charities represented on the runway was breathtaking. Stretching from coast to coast, these charities touch so many aspects of our daily lives, whether that involves pairing an abandoned pet with a forever home, funding cancer research, or advocating for alternatives to detention for at-risk youth.
“I’m always grateful to meet so many like-minded individuals, all of whom are inspiring, have their own story to tell, and continue to push boundaries and make a difference in the world,” Scott said.
“CatWalk FurBaby not only uses our platforms to promote the missions of so many wonderful organizations, but it is also a celebration of their stories, their missions . . . all under one roof. The energy is infectious. To believe that anyone’s dream is possible—whether you are a model or designer, established or new to the industry—along with the opportunity for animals to be adopted, and for nonprofits to join and share their missions… It truly is a remarkable experience.”
In the end, three charities took home cash prizes:
- COMPANION ANIMAL ALLIANCE out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, won the People’s Choice Award for raising the most funds for the event. They were represented on the runway by Jamie Glas Odom, the Queen of Sparkles, who was wearing her own design and was accompanied by Little Dog.
- The Publisher’s Pick went to Texas-based OPERATION KINDNESS, which was represented by model Gia Skova and Daisy the Pomeranian wearing D’Marsh Couture by Glenroy March.
- The Judge’s Award—selected by SoHo Muse founder Consuleo Vanderbilt Costin, supermodel Carol Alt, and chocolatier Maribel Lieberman—went to New York’s own SECOND CHANCE RESCUE, which saw model Rachel Donohue and pup Eunice showcasing Nicole Miller & Pamela Johananoff’s Canine Cashmere.
The idea behind CatWalk FurBaby is rooted in the essence of the ELYSIAN woman—women who are lifelong learners; who are leaders in their homes, communities and the business, political and nonprofit sectors; and who constantly try to better themselves and, through the power of their voice and their philanthropy, the world around them. Ripples making waves making change.
“If there was one runway show that felt warm, inclusive—and dare I say it, fun—it was ELYSIAN’s CatWalk FurBaby Fashion Show,” Nadja Sayej wrote in Forbes. “ . . . Each pet garnered ‘awws’ from the audience, and some got treats at the end of the runway, as they were photographed by a wall of over a hundred photographers packed into Sony Hall.”
In her opening, Floyd noted that ELYSIAN is “as complicated and complex as women,” because women are multifaceted—we are artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, thought-leaders, mothers, daughters . . . and peacemakers. We often juggle many of these roles at once.
And so the explosion of talent and energy on the runway this past fall was fitting and appropriate. From the opening live performance by DJ Chloe Jane, previewing her latest single Dance Floor Emergency, to the range of sounds that played as the models graced the stage, CatWalk FurBaby 2024 was full of high energy, high fashion, and high impact.
The slate of designers participating in this year’s event was nothing short of phenomenal. While most fashion shows are for a single designer, CatWalk FurBaby showcased the talent of 21 different fashion houses, from Tommy Hilfiger to Project Runway alum Jonathan Kayne to former incarcerated individual Halim Flowers.
“I love doing CatWalk FurBaby, it’s a lot of fun,” said designer Gina Marie Roberts, founder of Brooke Wilder Atelier. Roberts participates in three or four fashion shows each year and is a two-time CatWalk FurBaby participant.
“What they are doing—bringing fashion into a more philanthropic, relatable mindset—is a wise decision,” she said. “The fashion world has set itself too far apart. This helps bring fashion to a place where people can connect a little bit more, because nothing tugs on heartstrings more than a charity and a dog. And us Americans, we love a good cause.”
The iconic Sony Hall in Midtown Manhattan once again served as CatWalk FurBaby’s venue. Its storied past provided an elegant backdrop for such a forward-looking concept to shine. One fashion line, Merci Dupre Clothiers, uses fashion and innovation to protect its wearer and the environment from harmful toxins.
Merci Dupre showcased 14 looks that embodied a movement toward a healthier future.
“We are here to make global changes,” founder Dr. Christina Rahm said, kicking off the second half of the show. “When there are global issues . . . Think about this: That’s our opportunity to evolve and be more beautiful. And being more beautiful means from the inside out.”
Merci Dupre Clothiers is dedicated to reshaping the fashion industry by integrating health-conscious innovations into its designs. Its mission is to create clothing that not only elevates style but also safeguards the wearer from harmful environmental elements. Ripples, waves, change.
As the winning charities use their prize money to further their own missions, ELYSIAN is hard at work on a new documentary about CatWalk FurBaby 2024—how a small team from Spartanburg, South Carolina, took New York Fashion Week by storm to touch countless lives. All participating charities will have access to the film to use for their own fundraising.
As the event unfolded, Floyd rounded out her message with one final charge: “Let’s make history together.” We did.
And together, we will continue to do so.
