Fashion Designers and Dogs: Why The Trend?

Pets, ,

Every artist needs a muse, no matter how unconventional they may be. Famous fashion designers have their favorite models – though they’re not always of the two-legged variety! Even the poshest of designers keep their favorite furry companion by their side and some even delve into the world of doggy fashion to pamper other pups. Here are our top five favorites of designers and the cutest canines in the fashion world, in no particular order. 

5. Marc Jacobs and Neville

Celebrity designer Marc Jacobs is known for his lavish lifestyle and public relationships with his famous friends. Jacobs’ pup Neville is almost as famous as his human dad! The bull terrier is an Instagram star and also is featured on limited-edition sweaters and loafers from the fashion icon himself. Jacobs even planned a line called Bark Jacobs in honor of Neville. 

4. Roberto Cavalli and Lupo

Roberto Cavalli is a designer known for his wild animal print style. He credits his German Shepard, Lupo, for judging on which design will hit the runway and make it into stores. Cavalli believes Lupo will give him a signal if his fashion pieces will be a success or a failure. Roberto Cavalli Pets was founded in 2009 with carrier bags and printed jumpsuits for dogs to prove his admiration for man’s best friend. 

3. The Oscar de la Renta Collaborative

Late fashion designer Oscar de la Renta designed tailored dog coats before his peaceful passing surrounded by his beloved pets. His successors, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim have carried on the legacy, dressing celebrities such as Sandra Bullock and her rescue dog Sweetie for the Golden Globes. The de la Renta brand has its own collection of dog clothes with 100% of proceeds going to animal rescue organizations. 

2. Donatella Versace and Audrey

Of course, the glamorous Donatella Versace has her own spoiled pooch that is just as much royalty as the designer herself. Audrey is a Jack Russel Terrier and an Instagram icon with her own mattress and eats off a golden plate at the dinner table. Audrey was featured in Versace’s pre-fall campaign and makes frequent trips with Donatella in their private jet. 

1. Valentino and His Four Ms

Posh designer Valentino is quite fond of his four dogs: Molly, Margot, Mandy, and Monty. The four pals are also companions for private jet trips and have a butler of their own. In the past, Valentino has had a separate line of clothing for his late pug, Oliver. 

What’s The Appeal of Designer Dogs?

Dogs are one of the most, if not the most popular pets on the planet! Dog lovers will do everything for their furry friends including dressing them up for special events and photo opportunities. Certain designers look to animal prints and faux fur to create their own original designs and dogs certainly come in a range of different breeds. 

What’s cuter than a puppy in a sweater? These famous dogs are known to be well-liked with thousands of followers on Instagram and Twitter. Sometimes the dog’s accounts can be more popular than their owners! It’s hard to be jealous of a designer dog living its best life from the jet to the runway.

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What Fashion Trends Did “Miami Vice” Help Make Popular?

Trends,

Miami Vice chronicled the exploits of two narcotic detectives in the height of 80’s Miami. We were as far removed from the glamourous lifestyle the show portrayed in our Connecticut town as a community possibly could. However, the vastly different way of life between that of the show and our rustic farm hamlet didn’t stop us from fervently trying to copy the iconic style of Crocket and Tubbs. We donned the Ray-Bans, pastel-colored polos, and adopted a strict no socks policy. Some guys ventured as far as the monochromatic linen pant-suit on date nights—much to their girlfriend’s delight.

Fashion Trends: Just Like Crockett and Tubbs

Like any good classic, an event occurs to spur our interest again in a TV show, like a reboot, movie release, or video game creation. In the case of the present, a perfect storm of the pandemic and endless streaming abilities brought the original Miami Vice series back into our purview and, with it, interest in the fashion trends the show made wildly popular. 

Here’s a breakdown of three fashion trends inspired by the ’80’s hit television show:

1. The Linen Pant-Suit

Don Johnson starred as Sonny Crockett, who made the monochromatic linen pants suits paired with a casual t-shirt, a popular trend. Quite a few sources list the threads as being made by Armani. In Hollywood, the linen suit has a long lineage. Robert Redford’s pink linen suit that Leonardo Dicaprio brought into present-day fame on the remake of The Great Gatsby proves that linen stands up to the test of time.  

However, we first started producing linen, a versatile yet breathable fabric made from flax plant fibers, as long ago as 36,000 years. The fabric’s porous weave fosters moisture absorption, making it ideal for the Miami Vice set’s hot, humid days and nights. The drawback was that linen wrinkles. OK, if you’re on a movie set and have a wardrobe team to press your suit between takes. Not good if you’re wearing a linen suit to an interview after a long commute. A man shouldn’t take the practicality of a linen suit out of context. This fashion statement is best for casual situations where a few wrinkles are socially acceptable and actually en vogue, like an outdoor party or afternoon brunch by the beach.

2. The Shades

Ray-Ban RB2140 Original Wayfarers are the shades, produced initially by Bausch and Lomb, that Detective James “Sonny” Crockett sported in Miami Vice. However, some avid fans say the Persol Ratti Meflecto 69218 Sunglasses made in Torino, Italy, from the original factory of Guiseppe Ratti were the ones worn by Crockett and Tubbs. Whichever glasses made it on the air, both remain classic wardrobe staples to this day because of their durability, versatility, and classic styling. 

Ray-Ban didn’t nearly maintain the same market share they do today; the brand itself was at death’s door. But, according to different content, I read on the show and the makers of the sunglasses, ipso facto, Miami Vice played a vital part in resurrecting the brand.

3. The Loafers (sans the socks)

According to a Miami Vice fan forum, Crockett’s shoes were made exclusively for the show by footwear brands Sperry, Charles Jourdan, and To Boot. All part and parcel of the show’s $7,000 wardrobe budget for each episode. The most iconic of the detective’s fancy footwear was the loafer-espadrille style. Espadrilles, worn since the 14th century in Catalonia and the Basque Country, Spain, are still made by local craftsmen. Also used as footwear for the King of Aragon’s foot soldiers, the shoe is durable and breathable. The name espadrille, derived from the Spanish word esparto, was after the tough, wiry grass made into the rope that creates the shoe’s sole. The woven rope soles are lightweight, eco-friendly, and versatile, all attributes appealing to today’s fashion trendsetters.

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