Fashion goes to the dogs
When you like to step out in style, why shouldn’t your pet too? With a range of couture and high-end merchandise available to smarten up your pooch, it’s only natural to let your pet flaunt his sense of style in step with you. Pet parents these days don’t mind shelling out big bucks in an effort to boost their furry friend’s image. And the mushrooming of pet boutiques and spas across the country has only abetted their efforts to make their doggie look good on his day out.
Fashion designer and pooch lover, Sidney Sladen, who runs a pet boutique, Kabbs, in Chennai, reveals that pet owners enjoy pampering their pets with the best.
“Pet owners are splurging on branded pet outfits that cost as much as `5,000 per item. They also splurge on customised collars with Swarovski crystals and expensive leather harnesses,” says Sidney.
Sidney points out that with thousands of options available to dress up one’s pooch, pet owners are simply spoilt for choice. “Pets have become substitutes for babies. From dressing them up in bows and funky hats, pet parents are even going so far as to give them a dash of colour with pink and blue organic dyes for their coat,” he adds.
It comes as no surprise then when proud pet parent Arpitha H. reveals that she spends close to `10,000 dressing up her pooch. “I’m glad there are so many options available to help my dog look good. And, even if pet boutiques fail to stock up something, any kind of merchandise can be ordered online,” says Arpitha who lives in Ooty. She adds, “It gets chilly here in the winters and I’ve bought a number of jackets and hoodies to keep my pooch warm.”
Ridhima Coelho runs one of Bengaluru’s finest pet boutiques, PAWS the Pet Store. Ridhima got into the business in 2008 and has since seen the demand for pet merchandise grow. She says, “Today, pet owners are so aware. They want their pets to reflect their sense of style. While options for cats are limited, options for dogs abound. From buying clothing according to the season to purchasing pet beds that match the bedroom decor and customised bowls in ceramic, pet parents see their furry friend as a member of the family. One of the highest selling items in our store is the Hunter range of collars and harnesses that are made out of fine elk leather. A single piece costs anywhere between `3,000 to `6,000 and pet owners are fine with splurging on such luxury.”
Post new comment