On Sept. 5, Tatum Mogck ’25 represented the Spartanburg Humane Society in Elysian Magazine’s charity fashion show called Catwalk Furbaby. This New York Fashion Week event raised awareness and funds for animal welfare charities across the country.
In this second annual event, the models were joined by four legged animals as they walked the stage. This year, there were five dogs participating from the Spartanburg Humane Society, who were all adopted after the show.
The Elysian magazine is published right here in Spartanburg. Angel Cox, the CEO of the Spartanburg Humane Society, and the magazine publisher have a long going friendship that has now reaped the benefit of this opportunity.
The Spartanburg Humane Society participated last year with two of their dogs in the show, but this was the first time that a model represented them as well. Cox could not have been more thrilled to have her local non-profit on a national stage.
“We are jumping in with both feet,” Cox said.
With over 500 animals currently housed at the Spartanburg Humane Society, Cox constantly reiterated how big of a deal this is for both her business and Mogck.
Mogck has been an avid volunteer at the Spartanburg Humane Society since her sophomore year. When the opportunity arose, there was no question that Cox would choose her to walk the runway.
The dogs housed at the Humane Society are often extremely scared of human interaction due to their histories of abuse and maltreatment.
“Mogck really takes the time to get to know these dogs,” Cox said.
Because the dogs participating in the show are not trained, it is imperative that the model had an understanding of how to handle them. Mogck’s various experiences with the dogs in and out of the Humane Society, made her the perfect candidate.
Mogck’s passion for the Humane Society goes beyond her time volunteering. She takes dogs from the shelter to campus and spends hours taking care of them. Through this time, she has been able to help multiple dogs by offering a care that most have never experienced before.
She has also personally raised funds for the Humane Society through pop-up shops, selling her clothes and accessories at different events on campus.
With cream of the crop judges and professional models, the show was a surreal experience for Mogck.
“I was in shock. It is not just a fashion show, it is the fashion show,” Mogck said.
Mogck has always had a love for fashion. Working with her designer, planning hair and makeup and practicing her runway walk in her new, 3-inch stiletto heels are all parts of the experience that she has thoroughly enjoyed.
Mogck explained that when designing her look, they really wanted to focus on bringing attention to the cause, not just the outfit. She sported a two-piece avant garde look made from dog leashes as she walked the runway.
She has enjoyed working with her designer based in Greenville, South Carolina who also attended the event with Mogck and Cox. She has relished the opportunity to combine her passion for both the Humane Society and fashion.
The fashion show was live streamed on the Elysian Magazine website for all to view.
The Humane Society and the Wofford student body all rooted for Mogck as she participated in fundraising for animal welfare by modeling in this year’s New York Fashion Week.
A combination of charity and glamor, this event has proven to be a great source of pride for Wofford’s reputation as a school and community.
