Compassion IS the fashion!

But, somewhere in this paradox of a world we live in, there's still room for a carnivore like myself, who abhors puppy mills, is against the wearing of fur and believes in the humane and compassionate treatment of all living creatures, to support worthwhile efforts to ease their unnecessary suffering.

Melissa Galianos and Lucas Solowey are two young Montrealers who can put you to shame with their dedication, their enthusiasm and their hard work in promoting animal welfare causes (and I'm not just saying that because they came bearing a delicious vegan raisin cinnamon loaf – although it did help).

Both are devoted SPA (Society for the Protection of Animals) and CARA (Concordia Animal Rights Association) members and have been tirelessly involved in a bunch of demonstrations and events raising public awareness about animal rights. In fact, Lucas, who was born and raised in Montreal West, was recently honoured by PETA as the 2008 recipient of the Matthew Eyton Animal Activist Award.

At the moment, Melissa and Lucas are busy planning the 2008 Montreal World Vegan Day Fashion Show. Billed as an event "to promote a cruelty-free lifestyle, through fashion, vegan cuisine, entertainment and a silent auction" it will feature musical performances by Montreal's "The Hot Streak", catering by hot Thai vegetarian restaurant Chu Chai and will showcase some of the hottest cruelty free fashion out there (Macbeth Footwear, Mat & Nat, American Apparel, Healing Heart Designs, etc.)

The promotional pics for the event have been taken and let me tell you… they are sizzling hot! Black and white, tastefully semi-nude shots of some beautiful Montreal vegans are on display at Concordia, on Facebook (search for the show's name and the event will pop up) and all around town. In a world obsessed with sex to sell pretty much everything, these bright activists figured why not use the same approach to their advantage and bring attention to this worthwhile cause? Oh, did I forget to mention what the fundraiser is for? 100% of all the proceeds (tickets are $25) will go towards their puppy mill campaign here in Quebec.

Strangely enough, Melissa got into animal rights because of a passion for human rights.

"I saw an Amnesty International documentary when I was 14 and it disturbed me so much," she says. "To me the animal rights cause is just a way of starting at the roots; fighting against cruelty in a way that encompasses anyone who breathes faster when they are scared." I couldn't have said it more eloquently and succinctly myself, so I won't even try. Events like this deserve our support. Hell, if anyone can make compassion for animals something that's hot, fashionable and 'in', I think it may be these two.

2008 Montreal Vegan Day Fashion Show takes place Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Just For Laughs Theatre (2111 St. Laurent Blvd). For info and/or tickets, call 514-994-5788 or email contact@montrealworldveganday.com.