Couture That Will Get Tails Wagging
If you really want to understand the position of dog as totem in today’s image- and icon-saturated society, then look no further than the debate that raged in the media for weeks over which dog America’s new first family should possess. The Obamas’ choices were weighted with symbolism. Tradition versus modernity, old guard versus the new. When Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog, was announced as the president’s choice, there was a sense of anticlimax. Questions were asked. Why hadn’t they done the right thing and adopted a stray? (a PC gesture that would have been regarded by the nation as an immediate touchdown). The situation was swiftly diffused when the news came through that Bo was a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy, himself the owner of two such dogs. A dog with the endorsement of a Democrat grandee. So that’s all right then.
Dogs are going couture in more ways than one starting with their bootees. Dog bootees have taken a while to catch on here (I wonder why), but you can get some marvelous “hiker boots,” with rubber soles and Velcro straps for £34.99 from Pet London (www.petlondon.net). New York is also the home of Pet Fashion Week; there’s one in Moscow too, where they quite recently showed (on a runway), among other things, a Swarovski-crystal-encrusted Tiger Collar. It’s from Diamond Dogs (www.diamonddogs.us)—just in case you feel the need to purchase the very same.
The other dog accessory that makes sense in New York is the dog jumper, or dog coat. With the long and bitter winter that we are experiencing, it makes perfect sense for your dog to have an array of different coats for the season!
Then of course, if your dog is a lap dog, you need the oh so fashionable carrier. Requiring a dog carrier signifies one of two things (or in some cases both): The first being that you own a dog tiny enough to be transported in what is effectively a large handbag; the second that you are a celebrity, since this strange species seems to be alone in considering a canine to be a fashion accessory.
One of the first companies that Asiance promoted was that of Kwigy-bo which is a very fashionable dog clothing company. While in New York City, I often see young women along with their dogs in matching outfits. Believe it or not, Hermes along with Ralph Lauren make this possible. I guess it is the new thing. I always envision myself doing that sort of thing with my little girl in Lily Pulitzer or JMcLaughlin but whatever floats your boat!
http://www.kwigy-bo.com/
omg how did you remember that? She was one of our first interviews. I don’t think it’s even on this site. It was our old site.
I have a memory like an elephant! It really comes in handy when people lie to me. As you know, I don’t hear everything so I rely heavily on my memory! My mother hates it! She says it is photographic and she wants to put something in my tea to make it go away.
That business owner was on to something and she is still around. You chose a lot of great entrepreneurs who are now very successful!
I really miss my dogs Fred and Pepper! Fred was an adorable Schnauzer and Pepper was a beautiful Spaniel. They really didn’t have a lot of clothing companies for dogs back then. They were like the American Express Card, I never left home without them! They were my best buddies. Wasn’t it Gordon Gekko who said “If you want a friend, get a dog?” He really wasn’t kidding!
Both Fred and Pepper were so great at keeping secrets so I could tell them anything! I really loved them so much! I actually miss them more than most people.