Catwalk for the Dogs at FIT's Pet Fashion Show

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Apr 24th 2009 @ 12:30PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News, Pet Clothes

"If he pulls my leash one more time, I'm going to snap!" Lily the Papillon keeps her cool while modeling a cream cape with satin ribbons by designer Sangeeta Bhagat. Photo by Helena Sung

Admit it. Even if you're horrified at the thought of dressing dogs in tennis skirts, tuxedos and ball gowns, you're kinda fascinated by the whole thing too. We know. It's hard to look away, especially when they're so dang adorable!

No wonder then that hordes of people crowded into an auditorium this past Wednesday night for the Fashion Institute of Technology's first ever Pet Apparel Show. Gasps and cheers erupted as eleven doggy supermodels sashayed down the catwalk in the latest in canine haute couture.

There was Cocoa, a female Bernese mountain dog, wearing pearls and a tuxedo jacket, and Pierre, a Maltese poodle mix, wearing a pale green suit and top hat that designer and owner Gladys Delgado-Garced had patterned after a vintage dress from Lord & Taylor.

Perhaps the most elaborate design of the evening was worn by Vanilla, a delicate Chihuahua who channeled Nicole Kidman a la "Moulin Rouge" in a scarlet ball gown with black lace trim and a tall, feathered hat. The designer, Ada Nieves, is one of the first graduates of FIT's Pet Product Design and Marketing Professional Development certificate program.

All we can say is, Project Runway: The Pet Edition. Bring it on!

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Tags: canine-couture, dogs, pet-fashion

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#1 Maggie Pringlemeir 5-08-2009 @ 1:34PM

"FIT's Pet Product Design and Marketing Professional Development certificate program."?? Really?? I had no idea that FIT was becoming so forward thinking!

Here in the US, with couples marrying and producing families later or not at all .. many are choosing to focus their love and attentions on their pets instead. According to the US Census Bureau, there is more $$ spent every year on pet products than on baby food. Lucky dogs, who live in such a household! Although, yes, many still are out there fending for themselves, eating garbage and scraps and fighting to exist. We DO still need rescues and shelters .. but .. it's just such a refreshing change to see pet owners delighting in fussing over their much-loved animals.

I'm hoping that some of these designs hit the pattern companies. While $240 is a bit steep for my budget, my Red Sable Mountain Fiest would love that bathrobe. He's almost 14 and arthritic, so he wears baby tee shirts and sweatshirts in the winter to try to keep his shoulders and chest warm. When it's REALLY cold, I put him into footed sleepers, carefully adapted to allow his tail to come through so it can wag. Some short haired breeds don't have enough fur to keep warm and they truly DO need warm outer garments. My guy's feet get easily cut up from ice crystals, so he wears boots to go out in the winter. Yes, he walks well in them.

I'm going to go Google that program at FIT .. it's intriguing! It's the first program I've come across that MIGHT have me heading back to a classroom. At 61 with 2 advanced degrees, I thought I was DONE with blasses. Maybe not!

Warm hugs and skritches to the furry ones,

Maggie & Ruby Carnelian
Maggie Pringlemeir, D Div, PhD

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