By Jeanine Ballone

In a world where trends and styles constantly evolve, it is crucial for us to embrace a mindset that goes beyond the surface of fashion. The need to be more than just fashionable is not only a moral imperative but also a call to action towards creating a positive impact in our society. As we combine the forces of innovation, empathy, and sustainability, we can pave the way for a brighter and more compassionate future.

The fashion industry, often criticized for its environmental impact and labor practices, has the power to be a catalyst for change. By harnessing the influence and reach of fashion, we can drive meaningful transformations that extend beyond the realm of aesthetics. It is time to redefine the concept of fashion and infuse it with a deeper purpose – one that aligns with our collective responsibility to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

To gain insights from a true pioneer in this movement, we had the privilege of sitting down with John Bartlett, a fashion veteran and educator who is leading the charge towards a more compassionate industry. With his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, Bartlett offers invaluable perspectives on the transformative power of fashion and the importance of embracing a deeper purpose.

Join us on this journey as we discover the untapped potential of fashion to make a difference and learn how each one of us can contribute to a more sustainable, ethical, and compassionate future.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund and how it was started?

When I turned 40 years old, I visited the North Shore Animal League in Long Island, New York, with the hopes of finding a small dog I could adopt who could travel with me for work as I was on a plane a lot at that time. Well, I ended up meeting the hairy love of my life, a three-legged pit bull mix named Tiny Tim, after the Dickens' character. Tiny Tim had been brought into the shelter after being hit by a car as a stray and his front right leg was amputated on Christmas Eve, hence his name. When I met him, I knew he was the one for me and my life was forever changed.

When Tiny Tim passed, I started to volunteer at the NY city shelter, the ACC (Animal Care Centers of NY) and met people who ran rescue groups. These kind souls were at the shelter nightly pulling the dogs who were on the euthanasia list for the next morning, they would work all night to try to find a foster or an arrangement so that the at-risk dog could be saved. I could help with fostering but got the idea to start a non-profit in honor of my beloved Tiny Tim. The non-profit raises money that goes to helping rescue groups save at-risk dogs. We help finance vet bills, transport, training, and temporary boarding. After losing Tiny Tim, I wanted to find a way to help other dogs and help create other happy endings like mine and Tiny Tim's.

How has your background as a designer influenced your approach to running the program at Parsons University?

I have worked as a fashion designer for many years now. I have worked at the highest end of the spectrum as well as in opening price point products. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best merchants, pattern makers, planners, and marketers and salespeople and found that I had a lot to share with students of all ages who are interested in the fashion and luxury space.

My role as Director of Fashion for Executive Education at Parsons allows me to harness my industry relationships and create experiential learning for both adult students as well as within companies who might be wanting to create a curriculum for their teams and employees. I had served as Director of Fashion at Marist College before Parsons, where I worked with undergraduate students. I am now working with professionals, entrepreneurs and executives who are looking to pivot, level up or enter a new area of professional development within the fashion and luxury arena.

What made you combine your love for fashion with your passion for animal rescue in the Tiny Tim Collection?

I am a creative person and love it when I can combine passions such as design and rescue. I create accessories and other products that are then sold with the profits going directly to the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund. It brings me such joy when the two can align. I embrace my creative side and ideally want to utilize it for helping others. For years I would work to create with the sole focus of commercial success and profit. My priorities have shifted over the years and if I can harness creativity to help rescue at risk dogs then it's a win-win!

Can you share a memorable success story of an animal rescued through the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund?

There are so many and honestly, I have to start documenting them. One recent one, though, is a sweet boy named Blackie who was a street dog in rural Texas. A Good Samaritan saw him and started feeding him and noticed he was being attacked by other street dogs as he was quite passive.  Through the money raised by the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund, we were able to have a local rescue place him in temporary boarding, get him vetted, neutered, and vaccinated. We then sponsored his transport to New York where he was fostered.

Within a month, he was adopted into a home and now lives an incredible life with his canine bother. Blackie hit the jackpot. It takes a village, and we are happy to be able to help assist the rescue groups who are on the ground doing the heavy lifting of pulling dogs off the streets and out of the shelter system.

How do you see the fashion industry playing a role in supporting animal rescue efforts?

The fashion industry is passionate about all areas of social justice and when they put their efforts behind something, progress is made. I am working with a few designers right now to put together some events for 2024 wherein we can create pop-ups and other opportunities for the industry to get involved. I understand that the fashion industry and fashion brands are being pulled in so many directions and it's important to align themselves with a cause that makes sense for their brands. I am excited to start having these conversations and see what the industry can create to help the dire situation we are in right now, namely shelters at capacity and higher than usual euthanasia rates.

What are some of the challenges you've faced in running the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund, and how have you overcome them?

 The biggest challenge is time and what people in rescue call "compassion fatigue." I'd like to be able to dedicate more time to this project and hopefully will continue to carve out more space to focus on it. But compassion fatigue is real and it's hard sometimes to keep going when the shelters continue to be at capacity with no end in sight. But it's really one dog at a time and I try to focus on the happy endings that Tiny Tim can help to facilitate. 

In what ways do the proceeds from the Tiny Tim Collection directly benefit the animals in need?

 All profits made from the items I create go directly to independent rescue groups who are on the ground working to pull dogs from shelters or helping abandoned and street dogs who seemed to have been dumped.  I work with local New York rescue groups as well as ones across the country. Money raised goes to finance temporary boarding (to get a dog out of a kill shelter and into safety), vet bills, training, transport and honestly anything that can help a dog find their forever home. 

How do you envision the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund expanding in the future, and what impact do you hope to make?

 I have big plans for the foundation and look forward to a day I can dedicate more time to this project. I envision a sanctuary where dogs can live out their lives or until they find their forever homes. I envision partnerships with plant-based dog food companies and sustainable fashion brands. And I envision opportunities to get the word out about adoption and the joys of bringing a homeless pet into your home.

I'd love to help move the conversation along about rescue, spay/neuter and helping people keep their pets at home. So many pets are surrendered at shelters because the families cannot afford to feed themselves let alone their pets. It's important to connect communities and not only serve the animals but the people who need assistance keeping their beloved animals at home. LOTS TO DO!

What advice would you give to other designers or individuals who want to use their platform to make a positive change?

I think the most important thing is to follow your intuition and get involved in an area that is in alignment with your values. It's clear when a brand is getting behind a cause that makes sense with their DNA and mission. I love seeing brands and individuals give back in ways that are meaningful to them. The fashion industry has an incredible opportunity to effect change and I know that many nonprofits are struggling to get their message out.

Partnering with a nonprofit is a great way to help out and brands can utilize their social media in a way that can resonate with a larger audience. People want to be of service and yet sometimes feel powerless as they don't know how to channel their energy. Fashion brands can help move that conversation along and make it easier for people to get involved through corporate volunteering and other channels. 

How can readers and the fashion industry support the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund and get involved in animal rescue efforts?

People can purchase the Tiny Tim Collection online at www.johnbartlettny.com/store and can always donate to the non-profit financially. I welcome opportunities to do pop-ups and have done some wonderful ones with my friend Cynthia Rowley in her Tribeca store. People can email me through my website or reach out via social media. I welcome all collaborations and there are so many ways to get involved. Thank you so much for allowing me to share about the Tiny Tim Rescue Fund!

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