For the Love of Farm Animals: John Bartlett + Farm Sanctuary Tees

John Bartlett’s Ambassador collection, created in collaboration with Farm Sanctuary, aims to give farm animals a second chance at a happy life. And, come on, what’s hotter than a guy showing support for animal rights?

At New York Fashion Week in February, John Bartlett debuted the first ever eco-luxe, 100% cruelty-free menswear collection. More recently, the Ohio native – who has won two CFDA Awards (Best Newcomer and Best Menswear Designer of the Year), an AAFA Designer of the Year Award and a CFDA/Lexus Eco Fashion Award – has created a line of T-shirts in collaboration with Farm Sanctuary.

A long-time animal rights advocate, Bartlett has worked alongside the Humane Society of the United States, the North Shore Animal League and other animal rights organizations helping to raise awareness and spread the message of compassion. This passion for animal welfare is also expressed in the logo that is featured on all of his collections, a graphic representation of his beloved three-legged rescue dog, Tiny Tim.

In the fall of 2011, Bartlett launched The Tiny Tim Collection, created to help raise funds for the designer’s nonprofit animal-rescue organization, The Tiny Tim Rescue Fund, which helps support independent rescue groups across the country.

John Bartlett is very proud of supporting animal rights but knows that doesn’t include just include shelter dogs and cats, which is why the company teamed up with Farm Sanctuary – North America’s largest and most effective farm animal rescue and protection organization – to create the limited edition Ambassador Collection.

Each black cotton tee features a graphically-pleasing animal silhouette on the front and a cryptic number bleached-out on the sleeve, which represents the staggering number of animals that are slaughtered on deplorable factory farms for food each year in our country – more than 9 billion chickens, 5 million pigs and 35 million cows. Through this collection, Bartlett wants to raise awareness and work with his customer to lower this number once and for all. All creatures on this earth should have the right to live a long and happy life.

The campaign photos were shot on location at Farm Sanctuary’s beautiful 175 acre shelter in Watkins Glen, NY and features actual “Ambassadors” – animals fortunate enough to have been rescued and given a new chance at a peaceful, happy and wonderful life.

(Observant readers may have noticed that the beautiful lady in the photos is Mai-ly Hilgart, designer of vegan fashion line Vaute Couture.)

Johanna Björk

Johanna is a sustainable fashion writer currently based in Ojai, CA. Read her weekly On Trend column to learn what's new in eco fashion.