CITY Issue 54

WE USE OUR BRAND TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ANIMAL RIGHTS THROUGH MARKETING PLANS THAT MERGE THE BEAUTY OF OUR FASHIONS WITH THE BEAUTY OF NATURE. All of our designs are handmade on knitting looms, out of Viscose yarn, which is made from a cellulosic fiber from plants. Currently, we don’t print on textiles, we knit the print into the design, so there is no impact on the environment with dye runoff into our waterways. In the future, we will print on textiles and research is already underway to ensure we use low-impact dying. I’m sure you’ve noticed that a lot of companies seem to be jumping on the “green” trend lately, but you have operated your company like this since you began. Why was this important to you? It was important for me to stand for many issues regarding the environment and animal rights. My company operates on one philanthropic philosophy, “environmentarianism.” This is way beyond “green.” We use our brand to promote environmental awareness and animal rights through marketing plans that merge the beauty of our fashions with the beauty of nature. We want to bring awareness to the consumer that activism is fashionable, always showcase shelter dogs on the runway, and vow never to design with fur or leather. Just as other companies are “jumping on the green trend,” we hope they will follow this one as well. So your love for the environment clearly extends to your love of animals. I understand that there is an animal adoption component to your company. What’s that all about? Every Sunday the boutique becomes a makeshift pet store, where you can adopt a homeless animal, or purchase a cute bikini. I also have a non-profit called Ruff Houzen Animal Rescue Foundation. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and replace unwanted and abused animals into forever loving homes. Are you a pet owner yourself? I have seven dogs—three are up for adoption. And I have four cats, and three of them are up for adoption. I’d have 50 more if I could get my sanctuary built. I am trying to raise capital to get a sanctuary built in Los Angeles. I need a place to put all the rescues we get because it’s really hard to find fosters. Well, with all of your recent television exposure I hope that you draw more attention to your cause and are able to make this happen. You’ve been making the rounds on a lot of entertainment television lately. How did that come about? I started to get featured on E! and Extra because of my celebrity clients. After that I became “the bikini expert” and other networks wanted me for reality shows revolving around the fashion industry and modeling. Oddly, I felt more comfortable in front of the camera than in person, so I started to push for my own show. I found a great producer and with the help of my manager we signed a deal. What is the concept? I can’t say exactly what it is about yet, but hopefully it will showcase my true passion, animals. But I am sure somewhere in there will be a handful of pretty models, one crazy designer, and day-to-day drama of what the fashion industry is really like for an independent designer like me! For store locations for Paige’s swimwear, go to www.ashleypaige.com. To donate to Ruff Houzen Animal Rescue Foundation, write to 1616 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. PHOTO GRAPHY BY BA S S A M A L- S A RRA J CITY 63 http://www.ashleypaige.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CITY Issue 54

CITY Issue 54 Contents Letter from CITY Our Friends Action Wanted City Moment The City Life The Amused Bouche On the Rocks Fast Food City Insider: Austin Fit How We Live: The Bedroom City Insider: Warsaw In Rogue The Value of Vintage Taking the Plunge Raising the Bar The Science of Scent Changing of the Guard The New Fashion Cities A Cut Above Chrysalis What Dreams May Come Dawn & Dusk Will o' the Wisp Where To Buy It Socials Icon

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