Furry fashionistas are no doubt were wagging their tails in anticipation of Pet Fashion Week that kicked off late last month in Vancouver. The one-day inaugural event saw Olympic athletes manning the leashes as local dogs showcased the latest in canine couture.

Whenever possible, the human models were dressed in styles that complemented their four-legged counterparts, explains organizer and founder, Olympia Devine. "The event was quite a success with Vancouverites", she explained adding it will eventually expand to seven days. "We are pet-crazy," says Divine, who has a rescued Chihuahua. "We are a city of animal lovers."

Admission to the event was free with donations for SAINTS, an animal shelter that cares for seniors or special needs pets, were accepted at the event.


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by AFP

While Russia's two-legged population feels the financial pinch, designer lines from sportswear to mink coats, evening gowns to bootees are being snapped up... for the nation's dogs.For mankind's four-legged friends the rigours of the Russian winter have long required some extra layers to keep out the cold.

But the jewel-encrusted, over-the-top creations on offer today, together with perfumes, facial masks and Swarkovski-studded leads, go way beyond the imaginings of, say, the 19th century writer Anton Chekhov, who touched on the phenomenon of women and their dogs in "Lady with Lapdog."

Unlocking the commercial potential of the instinct to pamper one's pooch are designers like Svetlana Abramova, who in 2004 launched her own brand, Very Stylish Dog (www.styledog.ru), and is now breaking into the foreign market.

She started out making clothes for humans, but began designing for her chihuahua Boniya in 2001 which soon became a full-time business.

Having got to grips with canine chic, Abramova last year created a range of matching woman and dog outfits for American firm Diamond Dogs, due to go on display in London in March and later in Los Angeles.

The luxury London department store Harrods has ordered a new autumn collection, she says.

And along with fur coats and day, evening and sports wear, her customers can push the boundaries of good taste as never before with costumes that allow their dogs to pose as bees, angels, emergency service workers or nurses.

"Cut with respect for the rules of human haute couture, and weuse only natural materials -- jersey, cashmere and silk -- because some dogs are allergic to synthetic materials," she noted.Shops like Charli in central Moscow offer not only dog apparel but numerous accessories -- including dog rucksacks for venturing far from home turf.

Charli can also give your dog a manicure and dye or plait its hair.

But while it is not unusual to see Russian women in restaurants and nightspots with a dog on one arm, the economic crisis has led to some stylistic changes.

"We today make more clothes in casual style -- more comfortable, more day-to-day and less luxury. Our clothes are being priced more accessibly but remain elegant and fashionable," said the marketing director of Very Stylish Dog, Nail Abrarov."The dogs very quickly get used to the clothes, which protect them from cold and mud. The owners, who treat the dogs like their children, don't want them to get sick," he said.

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Roberto Cavalli has made his foray into a range of designer petwear. The Italian designer will debut a line for dogs exclusively at his boutique shops at the end of March.

The collection consists of stylish pieces such as jersey or printed fleece t-shirts and velour tracksuits, as well as classic garments such as polo-shirts, sweaters and puffer jackets.

Cavalli has also created some leopard print coats and rhinestone-studded accessories for the range. Key pieces in the collection consist of a satin-trimmed bathrobe, silk printed shorts and some shearling jackets.

Limited edition pieces are available in a "Paws" print, which looks like an animal pint but is composed of small paws. Special edition items such as bowls, beds and jewels are "in the works," reports Fashion Week Daily.

Roberto Cavalli Pets is a collection entirely devoted to man's best friend, the designer said. Inspired from Eva Cavalli's enduring love for animals, the new Roberto Cavalli pets will cater to small and medium sized dogs.

"It came as a natural conclusion, therefore, to bring a bit of our style to the canine universe," Eva, who is the most passionate animal lover told W Magazine. The couple have two monkeys, seven parrots, three cats, one iguana and more horses than they care to count. They also have a Saint Bernard and two bichons frises.

The line is priced from $110 for a t-shirt to $1,200 for the patent-leather quilted dog carrier. The larger sizes will be available for custom order.



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This Friday March 6th The Luxury Pet Pavilion, a red carpet-inspired luxury pet trade show in Los Angeles, will present an exclusive fundraising event: “Barking Boutique Bid-N-Buy Auction” to benefit newly-founded L.A.-based "Ruff Houzen No-Kill" animal rescue shelter. 

Best Friend NYC joins Ashely Paige, a celebrity swimsuit designer and a TLC show host in supporting the cause, and raising awareness and funding for the new shelter in Los Angeles.

The celebrity fundraising event “Barking Boutique Bid-N-Buy” will feature a silent auction, which in addition to Best Friend NYC Dog Grooming Products will also feature over 50 of the latest pet fashions, home accessories, art and other pet products on the market today. On the night of the event, Ashley Paige, who is the Honorary Chair and the founder of Ruff Houzen, will unveil a custom swimsuit for the live auction and give an overview of plans for the new shelter.

Guests will enjoy specialty cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, delectable desserts and posh pet-product swag bags as they raise money for a great cause. Best Friend NYC will be in attendance and will report live from Beverly Hills. Stay posted for photos and videos from the event.



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It was party at the Hotel Penn's Top Ballroom last night in New York City. Transformed for the evening into a pet-friendly Skybark lounge, flashbulbs were popping as extravagantly dressed dogs poured out of the elevators with their humans in tow.

As their purebred compatriots rested in hotel rooms below in anticipation of competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday and Tuesday, these dogs strutted across the red carpet, posed for photographers, and cavorted with equally well-dressed canines inside the festive ballroom.

Organized as a benefit to raise money for Animal Haven shelter, the event included a fashion show by local pet fashion designer, Ada Nieves, and a live auction courtesy of FIDO Friendly magazine.

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