The Gabby Wild Foundation Hosts “Catwalk For Canines” Fashion Show In Support Of Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation

Animal lovers and fashionistas gathered at Southampton Social Club in Southampton on Saturday, June 10 for The Gabby Wild Foundation’s Catwalk for Canines, an ethical and eco-friendly fashion show that supported the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF).

SASF volunteer Deborah Whitney leads an SASFan down the runway during a practice run. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

“We are doing eco-friendly fashion with our shelter dogs – so we have models and our trainers and our volunteers, and we’re raising money to help the homeless pets at our shelter,” explained Kate McEntee, Director of Adoptions at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, about the joint event for the Southampton Animal Shelter with Gabby Wild.

Models, including Marissa Epley, Britney Epley, Jessica Macklin, Leesa Rowland, Kate McEntee, Merritt Piro, Stephanie Mattera, Elena Ayot, Nicole Teitler, Cassandra Cruz, Rachel Brown-McLaughlin and Allyson Spellman, were paired with SASF pups, all of which are available for adoption at the Shelter, who expertly strutted down the catwalk. The gorgeous group of ladies donned chic, sustainable made and ethically produced clothing from Daiá, Barbara D’Altoè’s fashion house, Maison Ròde, Marita Wrong, MXN Clothing, and Pelush.

Marbles, a lovable dog that has resided at the Shelter for nearly three years was among runway models. After his time in the spotlight, Marbles joined the crowd, excitedly wagging his tail hoping to make a connection with a forever family at the event. “We adopt out about 900 dogs every year and we’re trying to make it 1,000 this year,” noted McEntee. “So we’re just trying to get loving homes for these dogs and working with Gabby is a great way to bring awareness to shelter pets and to fashion that doesn’t have to hurt our environment. It was just a great joint effort and we are so thankful to Gabby and Hamptons.com and all of our other sponsors for putting this together.”

Leesa Rowland, Allyson Spellman,Stephanie Mattera, Gabby Wild, and Kim Maloomian. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

The featured designers traveled from all over to participate. “We are a Seattle-based brand and we dedicate all of our designs to being ethically produced and super eco-friendly and friendly to animals. A lot of our hashtags have to do with animal cruelty free clothing, vegan clothing, etc. The designer, she’s very, very talented,” shared Nessie Munoz of MXN Fashion. “Her clothing is very inspired by the rocker chic style, so the brand is very much something that you could wear to work and look professional but then take it to the bar, grab a jacket that’s a motu jacket and kick back and relax with some friends. It’s very chic, very trendy and we’re really looking forward to this event. We’re really happy to be here and work with Gabby because she’s such an amazing person and her organization is amazing.”

Nicole Teitler with an SASFan. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

Catwalk for Canines was spearheaded by Gabby Wild of The Gabby Wild Foundation, a US-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire people across the world to protect threatened species through partnered conservation programs, eco-fashion events, and personalized campaigns. “We’re here at Southampton Social Club having the most gorgeous weather, with the most wonderful, supportive people. It’s upbeat, exciting, and it’s just such an honor to be doing this for the Southampton Animal Shelter,” shared Wild. “The dogs have already practiced their runway and they’re having a ball. The models look fabulous! Everybody is going gaga for the sangria and appetizers. Wait till Mila Tina gets Latin and Middle Eastern with DJ Quiana, who is a cancer survivor. So we have a lot of really cool, supportive people here.”

All funds from ticket sales from Catwalk for Canines support the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that depends on the compassionate generosity of SASF’s donors and volunteers to aid the homeless animals that reside in the area, and help them find loving “forever homes.”

Jean Shafiroff, Jerry Rosenthal, Kate McEntee, Victor de Souza, and Jill Rappaport. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

If you missed Catwalk for Canines, you can support Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation on Saturday, July 8 during SASF’s Eight Annual Unconditional Love Gala, where Jean Shafiroff and Sony Schotland will be honored. Tickets begin at $1,000.

Southampton Animal Shelter is located at 102 Old Riverhead Road West in Hampton Bays. For more information, call 631-728-7387 or visit southamptonanimalshelter.com.