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Conservation is in fashion at Paignton Zoo - PRESS RELEASE
A Devon charity and a fashion designer have teamed up for a unique collaboration in the name of wildlife conservation.
Couture dress designer Nigel Sargent, based in Torquay, has created a unique evening gown for Paignton Zoo Environmental Park to help promote a conservation campaign for the island of Madagascar.
The designer dress was unveiled at the Zoo's recent charity Adoption Auction night. Guests were then able to bid for the chance to have a dress designed and made for them by Nigel, with Paignton Zoo providing two tickets to its Mistletoe Ball charity fundraiser in December. The successful bidder was Kevin Higgins of the Abbey Bank, who paid £700.
Nigel was inspired by the charismatic red ruffed lemurs, which come from Madagascar, and their dramatic colouring of deep red-brown, black and cream.
Lynne Parker, fundraising and events officer for Paignton Zoo, said: "It is a stunning dress in a classic style. It is ivory silk with black halter straps and black net underskirts. The dress is printed with images of red ruffed lemurs. It's a real one-off!"
Nigel Sargent explained: "I call the dress the Fading Light, as the lemurs seem to be peering from bubbles that could burst at any moment." The gown was made with 4 metres of ivory silk and 12 metres of black net.
Madagascar has a spectacular flora and fauna, including thousands of species unique to the island. Many of Madagascar's diverse ecosystems are in great danger because of human development, and it is feared that many will disappear soon if we are unable to protect them.
Madagascar is the subject of the 2007 campaign of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). EAZA campaigns raise awareness among zoo visitors and politicians of the necessity of conservation. Previous campaigns - on tigers, turtles and rhinos - have raised considerable amounts of money for conservation projects.
Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts have pledged to raise £3,000 for the campaign between May and September. There will be trails, competitions, face painting, talks and other events throughout the summer. An evening of Madagascan music and food is being held at Living Coasts on Wednesday 22nd August.
ENDS
Further information
Philip Knowling, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Press Officer,
01803 697568
Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.
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