Kellan Lutz will be wearing the Red Carpet Green Dress Challenge’s first winning sustainable tuxedo – designed by New Zealand designer Jomnarn Dul – down the red carpet on Oscar night, 02 March 2014.
The brainchild behind the eco-fashion awareness campaign is Suzy Amis Cameron who last October announced the addition of a menswear category to help mark the campaign’s 5th anniversary.
The winning tuxedo design was submitted by Jomnarn Dul from H Brothers, which is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most iconic menswear brands. Born in New Zealand, Dul is a 23-year-old designer who was crowned top of her class while studying menswear design at Auckland’s AUT University and has been a valuable part of the H Brothers team for two years.
Red Carpet Green Dress isn’t Dul’s first experience with conscious fashion as she leapt at the opportunity to be part of the H Brothers collaboration with EKOCYCLETM, a partnership between global music artist will.i.am and The Coca-Cola Company.
Jomnarn’s inspiration for the range of suits, which are made in part from recycled content, came from will.i.am and his very distinctive sense of style. The garments are fashion forward and make men feel confident while also making a responsible fashion choice. With a mission to bring about social change, the EKOCYCLETM brand collaborates with established brands to create products made at least in part from post consumer recycled materials. This not only empowers consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions but also educates them on everyday recycling choices.
While he began his acting career as a series regular on HBO’s The Comeback, Lutz was thrust onto the world stage when The Twilight Saga became a global phenomenon, and he most recently occupied the role of Hercules in Renny Harlin’s The Legend of Hercules. Born and raised in North Dakota, Lutz learned early on to live everyday to the fullest, so when he’s not working he divides his time between several charities including PETA. “I’m honored to have been asked to participate in this milestone year of Red Carpet Green Dress, and I look forward to wearing Dul’s winning design for H Brothers to the Oscars next month,” says Lutz. Next up, Lutz voices the role of Smilee in The Expendables 3 this August.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Kellan and H Brothers on board the campaign this year,” exclaims Amis Cameron. “The H Brothers partnership with EKOCYCLE is resonating with young people as does Kellan’s body of work, and I believe reaching our youth is the most effective way to bring about real change.” Global Campaign Director, Samata Angel adds, “Kellan is an incredibly talented but also cause-driven individual, so it is fantastic to have him onboard to wear this innovative tuxedo on such a prestigious and significant red carpet.”
Dul will be mentored through the creation of his design by American fashion designer and artist Jeff Garner. A long time favorite of Amis Cameron and her husband James, Garner is known for his plant-dyed garments. He received the honor of “Eco-designer of the Year” by GQ Magazine in 2010, and in 2012 , he was named as one of the “Top 40 U.S. Artists Under 40” by the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery.
The winner – and wearer – of the women’s Red Carpet Green Dress challenge is expected to be announced on 25 February.
