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A fun article from the Phoenix Examiner: http://tinyurl.com/mm758jThe fourth annual Pet Fashion Week was hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, and it was a lot of quirky fun. Small dogs pranced around in just-off-the-runway haute couture and glittering cases of platinum, gold, and silver “Mommy and Me” necklaces, collars, and cuffs glistened in the aisles. A fine art exhibit of couture pet fashion designed and constructed by students at F.I.T.’s accredited Pet Fashion program was displayed at the entrance on white, square pedestals and on a table running down the center of the first room like so many fashionista dogs all dressed up with lots of places to go. It was heady stuff, and that was only the first few feet.
Despite the recession, the pet industry is doing well. City girls like to shop, and while they might not be able to afford their latest from the human runway, we can still indulge ourselves and live vicariously through our dogs. There were booths from designers brand new to the market with some of the most sophisticated fabrics, trims, button, and silhouettes ever that were showing lines ranging from hand-painted shirts to laser-cut leather. Walls of organic treats and toys. Dog and cat furniture designed to fit seamlessly in the sleekest apartments. Handcrafted appliquéd sweaters and futuristic feeders.
The smaller crowd of little dogs milling around in their brocade dresses and bling really seemed to enjoy showing off. There was enough fashion to satisfy the discriminating stud, and for those no-nonsense breeds, there were beautiful but utilitarian sweaters and coats in fabrics designed by science to stand up to the ruff crowd.
Stay tuned for my series of pet product spots featuring exclusive interview with designers and company founders, along with photos and the low down on how to be the first to score the goods.
