Fashion Goes to the Dogs at Fashion's Night Out

by Annie Hartnett · 2010-09-11 16:01:00 UTC
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This post is part of a series running throughout New York's Fashion Week (Sept. 9-16, 2010) to highlight the best and the worst of cruelty and compassion toward animals in the fashion industry.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has already seen the world's most beautiful models on the runways, from Gisele Bunchen to Adriana Lima. But the models were simply cute at Bergdorf Goodman last night, when designers and their dogs took to the catwalk.

The doggie fashion show was one of the many events in New York last night for Fashion's Night Out. The  event was created by Vogue editor Anna Wintour to boost retail sales in major cities all over the world.

Designers walking with their pooches included Mark Badgley and James Mischka, Lela Rose and Thakoon Panichgul. The dogs were costumed in top hats, wedding gowns, feather boas, ball gowns. The modeling contest was judged by Kelly Rutherford of Gossip Girl, model Tinsley Mortimer, and designers Monique Lhuillier and Tabitha Simmons.

I love dogs and I love clothes, but I'm not sure how I feel about dogs in clothes. My feelings are always a mixture of amusement and horror when I see a chihuahua wearing a tutu.

Megan Rascal over at Vegansaurus gave her take on putting pets in costume: "Everytime we post about cats in clothes, some people get upset. But really, I don’t see the big deal. Well, if your cat hates it, I don’t think you should dress fluffers up; but if your cat doesn’t mind, I don’t see the problem ... Cats can be very communicative when they are displeased — ever heard of hissing? And claws?"

Many people must love to see dogs in tiny tuxedos, because the event was a resounding success, with the Associated Press reporting that it was hard to get up the escalators or leave the store. "You don't see this much excitement at stores," said Mark Badgley. Designers Badgley and Mischka dressed their two beagles as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Even if the dogs were uncomfortable in their designer duds, the show was for a good cause. The event will help kick off Adoptapalooza, an adoption event in Washington Square Park on Sunday, September 12th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be another doggie fashion show on that day, presented by students of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The free public event, hosted by the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, will also feature a raffle, a photo booth, pet makeovers and massages. There will be a preview of the art exhibit "The Art Dogs & Cats of NY" to be auctioned off next month to raise money for several animal rescue groups.

Last year, about 43,000 cats and dogs ended up in the city-run shelters. Half of them were euthanized because of lack of space and no one to adopt them. New Yorker shoppers were out in droves last night, so hopefully many of these shopaholics will find themselves in the adoption market by Sunday.

Photo Credit: Ella Marie

Annie Hartnett is a writer and animal advocate who has worked for several wildlife rehabilitation centers and environmental programs.
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