Animal News
Project Runway star adds style to animal-lover bash at Galleria Dallas
Galleria Dallas is the place to be for an event bringing together animal lovers and fashion, including an appearance by one of the newest cast members of Bravo's Project Runway.
Three Dallas designers will team up with an animal group, the Spay Neuter Network, to celebrate World Spay Day on February 26. Their goal: get people talking about spaying pets.
Participating designers include:
- Venny Etienne, creator of Le'Venity and a star in the upcoming season of Project Runway
- Jerry Matthews & Francesca Viamonte, founders of Nine Muses Collection, a cruelty-free luxury brand that launched in 2013
- Julie McCullough, founder of The Pin Show and the McCullough fashion line
The designers will show their work alongside some cute dogs who are currently residing at Dallas Animal Services, the city's shelter, and are up for adoption.
Project Runway contestant Venny Etienne, who's also the winner of Fashion Group International of Dallas' 2018 Rising Star Award, launched his sportswear label LeVenity in 2015. His designs have been worn by celebrities such as Cardi B and Michelle Williams.
Fashion and design entrepreneur Julie McCullough is the founder of The Pin Show, a Dallas showcase for local talent such as Make and Folksie. Her newest brand, McCullough, is themed "Common Goods for Uncommon People."
Jerry Matthews & Francesca Viamonte met while studying at The Art Institute of Dallas, and founded Nine Muses Collection in 2013. It's a Dallas-based luxury women's label made in the U.S. and is also cruelty-free. Their designs have appeared in pubs such as D Magazine's Style Sheet, Asia World Media, and PaperCity.
Spay Neuter Network
Founded in 2003, the Spay Neuter Network works to end euthanasia by providing low-cost spaying, neutering, vaccines, and microchipping. They focus on underserved neighborhoods, where people don't have the funds or access to veterinarian offices. More than 60 percent of the surgeries they do are free.
They have two clinics: one in Dallas, and another 30 minutes south of Dallas. They also have a mobile clinic that serves families in 13 North Texas counties with a combined population of more than 8 million people.
Since their inception, they've spayed/neutered more than 250,000 dogs and cats and vaccinated more than 350,000, often working in neighborhoods with high rates of stray animals.
They've also performed more than 6,000 heartworm treatments at cost for rescue groups and shelters.
Each surgery currently costs more than $350 to pay for a veterinarian, medical technicians, surgical equipment, and medicine. But grants and donations allow them to reach families who may not otherwise be able to afford to spay or neuter their pet.
Their educational program with Dallas Independent School District and Fort Worth Independent School District teaches students about responsible pet ownership, and their outreach team knocks on more than 25,000 doors a year in neighborhoods with high numbers of stray animals to educate people about spaying and neutering for their pets.
The Spay Neuter Network will open its newest clinic in Fort Worth later this year.
The February 26 event will run from 3-7 pm on Level One of Galleria Dallas, near Sephora.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry