A dog models a French beret by "Barking Baby" during the 2007 Pet Fashion Week. AFP

Today, 20 April 2008

Yesterday, 19 April 2008

For discriminating pets, it really was the cat's pyjamas: New York's second annual Pet Fashion Week offered everything a pampered pooch could ever want, from jewel-encrusted leashes to doggy perfume.

Among the canine clients at the event on Sunday was Chai, a short-haired white American Bulldog with blue eyes, dressed in a pink and bronze satin cape made especially for the weekend event.

"We closed our pet shop in Baltimore for three days to come here. The dress was made for her, for the event," explained Thomas Berger, Chai's owner.

Greyhound in camouflage

Nearby, a male model strutting in just his underpants led a honey-coloured Greyhound dressed in a camouflage outfit up the catwalk.

The show lasted a good hour, featuring dogs modelling designs from 20 or so pet fashion houses to a pounding disco soundtrack.

Although it was mostly dogs on show, a black cat in a golden collar did make an appearance on the runway towards the end, carried by a young girl.

On the fifth floor of the Manhattan exhibition centre, the energy was at fever pitch. A Chihuahua dressed as a Balinese dancer with a golden tiara and accompanied by a woman in the same outfit drew particularly rapturous applause.

The first and fourth floors were devoted to exhibitors, where everything imaginable was on offer: bags, vitamins, leashes and special pet furniture.

Pet-a-Porter

"It's fantastic, much more than we expected," said Rie Nishimura, a Japanese buyer from Pet-a-Porter Life, Inc., visiting especially from Tokyo. After watching the show, she put in her orders to be delivered to Japan.

"We bought hundreds of things for dogs, and accessories. It's a huge industry, and Americans are the leaders," she said.

At her feet, Oliver, a two-year-old Shih Tzu in a brand-named sweatshirt was asleep on a special pink satin sofa with tassel features.

Stacy Braverman, owner of website "Bitch New York", a luxury online pet store, had brought her four Chihuahuas, one of whom seemed to have had enough.

Spa products

"Lola just fell asleep, she was so stressed by the show," said Braverman. "We try to specialise in very unique and upscale items, spa products, a brand new line of shampoos and conditioners," she said.

"She is wearing 'pink sugar soufflé', do you like it?" she asked.

"I had to buy a love seat so they can be with me while I work. Their names are Lola, Havana, Winston and Beckham. Yes, like the football player," she said.

A passing spectator with a Pomeranian in a kilt shot back: "Oh you have a Beckham? My Pomeranian is called Jagger! Yes, like Mick!"

On Braverman's website, wealthy buyers can find diamond-studded collars at around $3000. She had already sold more than one, she said, as a Poodle in green suede performed a waltz on the catwalk.

According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of American households have a pet — amounting to some 88 million cats, 74 million dogs and 142 million gold fish.

The pet industry is worth some $40-billion a year, including $16-billion a year in pet food, $20-billion in veterinarian bills and medicine and almost $4-billion in toys, clothes and dog-sitters.

AFP