Dogs Take Over Runway at Fashion School in New York

Jake is a male model, albeit the short and hairy kind. He is a Yorkshire terrier, and one of 14 dogs who took to the runway to model the latest in canine couture at the Fashion Institute of Technology's 2nd annual pet apparel fashion show in New York City.

As music pumped in the background, pups of all sizes, shapes and colors pranced, danced and sashayed down the runway. Outfits ranged from a fanciful pink-and-purple fairy costume to a black-and-white "Fred Astaire Tuxedo." Jake looked macho as he scampered down the catwalk in a leather bomber jacket by FIT student and doggie designer Lindsay Morris. Later, the charismatic little pup changed into a second look inspired by military clothing designed by Leana Dominguez.

This year, two of the doggie models included shelter pups, Bruno and Molly, who are up for adoption through the North Shore Animal League. Bruno, who appeared to be a Chihuahua-mix, wore a trademarked "Turtlebacks" wool knit sweater in orange, brown and green designed by FIT student Lisa Barnes. The sweater's design is inspired by the natural pattern found on the shell of the Diamondback Terrapin turtle. "I liked the juxtaposition of putting a turtle's shell on a dog's back, and how a shell is meant to protect and keep you warm," Barnes tells Paw Nation.

Signaling an eco-conscious trend in pet fashion, Barnes' couture knit pet sweaters are made of certified organic wool manufactured in Vermont. "It's important to try to do things in a way to reduce your carbon footprint," says Barnes.

Felix, a greyhound, modeled one of the more avant-garde looks of the evening: a large, black, bib-like collar with silver buckles and a matching cuff designed by Jessica Garfield. "My designs reflect what is happening on the human runways, which I translate into dogwear," Garfield tells Paw Nation. Canine couture tends to be a year or two behind human fashion, says Garfield, but she hopes to change that. "Where we are at should be where the dogs are at," Garfield says.

As with any proper fashion show -- canine or human -- the event concluded with a breathtaking finale look. Shultzy, a bright-eyed West Highland terrier, flounced down the runway in a white satin wedding gown trailing a river of ruffles and wearing a veil on her head. Turning side to side and with her tongue hanging out, Shultzy lapped up the attention.

Tags: fashion institute of technology, FashionInstituteOfTechnology, Pet Fashion Show, PetFashionShow