Paws and Purpose at Berkeley College: Fashion Students Style Canine Models in Support of Animal Rescue

Photo Caption: Berkeley College students designed and produced dog garments for a Canine Catwalk fashion show, held on Monday, December 8, 2025, in New York City, NY, in support of Social Tees Animal Rescue. (Left) Ranger wears the collection by Berkeley College student Keiara Lewis. (Right) Lewis (at podium) presents her collection while Social Tees volunteer Diane Salazar and Ranger model the coordinating look. (Photo Credits: Kramer Gudbrandsen)

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Berkeley College students designed and produced dog garments for a Canine Catwalk fashion show, held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Berkeley College in New York City, NY, in support of Social Tees Animal Rescue. More than 70 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry professionals across the fashion, retail, and sustainability spaces attended the event.

Students in the Berkeley College Fashion Merchandising and Management program, including members of the Fashion Club and students completing a capstone course in Product Development, spearheaded the event alongside representatives from Social Tees Animal Rescue, a New York City-based no-kill rescue center. The students used deadstock fabric samples for the project, saving fabric remnants from the New York City waste stream.

"The Canine Catwalk showcased our Product Development students' full creative and technical processes, from concept and research to final products, all rooted in sustainability initiatives and design-to-reuse principles," said Moon Chang, Professor, Fashion, Berkeley College Larry L. Luing School of Business®, who instructed students in the Product Development capstone course and walked the runway with her dog, Venus. "It is a one-of-a-kind dog catwalk show among New York's fashion schools and a true innovation for our community."

See the Photos: Click here to view photos from the Canine Catwalk fashion show.

"We are honored to have the students of Berkeley College devoting their creativity and time to a school project that is helping raise money for our rescue," said Samantha Brody, Executive Director, Social Tees Animal Rescue. "All funds donated will go toward providing the pups in our care with the veterinary attention they need."

Photo Captions: Berkeley College students designed and produced dog garments for a Canine Catwalk fashion show, held on Monday, December 8, 2025, in New York City, NY, in support of Social Tees Animal Rescue. Left (L to R): Laura Nielsen, Berkeley College student, receives the Most Market-Ready Award from judges Jasmine Stewart-Brown, Berkeley College alumna and Product Development Associate, Walmart; Zuajeiliy Romero, Chief Brand Officer, Wishi; and Francy Altus, Director, Technical Design. Center: Model Maryellen Kernaghan and her dog, Andi, wearing a sweater by Berkeley College student Arnold Vargas. Right (Top): Scotch wears a dog scarf by Berkeley College designer-in-residence, Bach Mai. Right (Bottom): Tom Ford wears a printed tee designed by Berkeley College students Lovisa Klangby and Charlotte Armfelt and a scarf by student Eliezer Masache. (Photo Credits: Kramer Gudbrandsen)

A panel of industry judges including Jasmine Stewart-Brown, Berkeley College alumna and Product Development Associate, Walmart; Zuajeiliy Romero, Chief Brand Officer, Wishi; Francy Altus, Director, Technical Design; and Jeff Mahshie, Tony award-nominated costume designer, selected the following students as award recipients for their creations during the Canine Catwalk event:

• Most Market-Ready Award: Laura Nielsen
• Best Use of Deadstock/Sustainable Materials Award: Shiori Koike
• Best Humanwear and Dogwear Coordinating Product Award: Keiara Lewis
• Most Fashion Fur-Ward Award for Outstanding Product Development: Nino Mosulishvili

"Berkeley College students spent 15 weeks learning and blending customer and market research, trend forecasting, and creative, analytical, and technical skills while partnering with Social Tees to ensure every pup's comfort and well-being," said Andrea Kennedy, Lead Faculty, Fashion Merchandising and Management. "The culminating Canine Catwalk fashion show celebrated our students' hard work and fashion and business talents."

Photo Caption: Berkeley College students designed and produced dog garments for a Canine Catwalk fashion show, held on Monday, December 8, 2025, in New York City, NY, in support of Social Tees Animal Rescue. Left: Julianna Labate, Teen Program Manager, Rennert International, and her dog, Olé, wear a matching plaid ensemble by Berkeley College student Ana Marte. Center: Model Audrey Supple and dog, Dasht, model a design by student Nino Mosulishvili. Right: Moon Chang, Professor, Fashion, Berkeley College Larry L. Luing School of Business® with her dog, Venus, introduces students in the Product Development capstone course. (Photo Credits: Robert Duffy)

About Berkeley College

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.

Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor's Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.

The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.

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