80s Fashion Styles Hit the Runway at the New York Pet Fashion Show!

Madonna, Miami Vice, Rubik’s Cube, the Queen of England, even the California Raisons were all creatively represented at the 12th annual New York Pet Fashion Show Presented by Tropiclean, which descended upon the Hotel Pennsylvania Thursday night, featuring 80s fashion styles in all their glory. The theme – Rescued by the 80’s –  begged camp, and participants took the bait, trying to outdo each other with outrageous designs. All proceeds from the evening went to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals and the 150 participating shelters and rescue groups under its umbrella.

Gregg Oehler, Rachel Grant & me!

Event co-Chair/co-Founders, Gregg Oehler and Ada Nieves, along with the evening’s emcee, Maria Milito of Q104.3 radio, kicked the night off with the Gold Paw Awards ceremony, honoring those who’ve made a difference in helping animals around the world.  I was honored to present to former Bond Girl, adventurer and activist, Rachel Grant, who was named Humanitarian of the Year for the work she’s doing to draw attention to rescue and adoption. Model and documentarian, Katie Cleary, was named Documentary Producer of the Year for her film, Give Me Shelter. Gifted lensman, Brad Oliphant, was honored with the Nature Photographer of the Year award, the Legacy Award went to Brock, the canine inspiration behind Pilots ‘n’ Paws, an amazing service that flies rescued dogs to safe havens and forever homes. The Excellence Award went to Last Chance Animal Rescue. Jennifer Bartok-Taylor of Celebrity Catwalk, Heidi Walker of Yorkies911 and Guardians of Rescue all received Special Achievement Awards for their work raising money for rescue and bringing attention to adopting.

The Pupscouts NYC Troop 4 founders, Susan Godwin and Jennifer-Jo Moyer, presented a check to the Mayor’s Alliance of NYC Animals and the org’s Stephanie Mattera accepted on behalf. Mattera also walked the runway, pushing a Katie’s Carriage design with rescue pups in outfits designed by Wendy Agramonte.

The Mayor’s Alliance’s Stephanie Mattera rocking it down the runway with a rescue pup

And, rescues weren’t just talked about, they were present and dressed to impress as they took to the runway. Dogs from Animal Care Centers, Eve’s Sanctuary, Little Shelter and others strutted their stuff,  dressed in creative, outrageous outfits.

Chews Happiness, a brand I love, showcased their beautiful dog and matching women’s sweaters.

Meeta and a rescue pup, modeling the gorgeous Chews Happiness matching yak wool sweater and shawl.

Ada Nieves’ Rainbow Fake Fur dog coat on Zsa Zsa, and Suzanne Boule’s own matching one made for a colorful display

Ada Nieves demonstrated her design prowess, creating several of the evening’s outfits, including the very cool Rainbow Fake Fur dog coat, inspired by the one Miley Cyrus wore to the ONE campaign bash in New York City and donned here by cutie patootie, Zsa Zsa. Mom, Suzanne Boulle, purchased her matching rainbow coat from the very designer in China who made Miley’s!

Karen Sanabria with Papi

Ada also displayed her versatility, designing a tiny, sequined dinner jacket for bearded dragon, Papi, owned by Karen Sanabria. Papi’s piece was inspired by the 80’s dinner jackets of Oleg Cassini, an early designer utilizing bling. I’m told Cassini blamed himself for the death of 250,000 leopards, killed due to the enormous popularity of a coat he created for Jackie Kennedy. He promptly eschewed real fur from then on, becoming one of the first major designers to create micro fiber faux fur garments in 1999.

Amy & Danny Cox, with Pearl, Penelope and Paco II, as Cali Raisons!

Another favorite of mine were the California Raisons, an ambitious ensemble designed by Amy Cox and created by Danielle Pursel of SewDogGoneCreative etsy shop. The costume was worn by Amy, her husband, Danny Cox, and three of their dogs – Yorkie Penelope, and Chihuahuas Paco II and Pearl. Pearl’s ornate gown was clever; the 80’s Marvin Gaye song title, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was written across the back. Penelope’s gown had the words, “California Raisons” on it. The design was cohesive and fun and they deservedly placed in the costume contest.

Miguel Rodriguez with his muse, Venus, wearing his Christian Lacroix-inspired paper doilie design

For the couture runway show, the designer’s challenge was to create garments using no fabric at all, and the creativity of some of the creations was truly inspiring. Miguel Rodriguez used scalloped paper doilies, tape, feathers, paper flowers and paint to create a sumptuous, tiered gown, inspired by the haute couture of 80’s-era Christian Lacroix.

Joanna Aqua of New York-based, Pet Monarchy, chose the iconic, 80’s tv show, Dynasty, with all of its glamour, big jewelry and frills. What material did she choose to showcase her vision?  None other than frosted gold and pearly iridescent plastic shower curtains! Aqua included LED lighting and floating items in both the bodice and skirt, adding an expected and playful touch to the design. Very impressive! Modeling two complementing dresses she created were her muse Sphynx cat, Coco-Mau Aqua and 8-month old puppy, Leah.

Pet couturier, Anthony Rubio, channeling Miami Vice, with his pastel creations on Bogie & Kimba

Anthony Rubio of Anthony Rubio Designs, used dyed coffee filters to create little jackets in Pantone’s colors of the year – Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue – inspired by those worn by 80’s Miami Vice heart throbs, Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. Julie Lancaster of Off the Cuff Stuff for Pets, used buttons inspired by British fashion for her designs; Kevin Ugarte of Wow Wow Ugarte Collection used an expanse of aluminum foil to create a waterfall-like effect.

Kevin Ugarte with his muse, Princess, wearing his foil creation.

Ruben Santana of King Tut Pet Styling & Fashion, was ingenious with his use of colored pipe cleaners for his “The Coiled Jewel” design, inspired by the South Beach art deco revival of the 80’s. He also created another piece,  “Rubik’s Royal,” made from aluminum foil, styrofoam, paint and willow flowers, inspired by the world-famous Rubik’s Cube brain game.

The very talented Ruben Santana, dressed as Boy George, and his pups in his amazing designs

That game was a popular cultural one to mine, as Margaret Konecky of The Elegant Hare also chose it for her and rescue dog, Delilah’s gorgeous matching cashmere sweaters and little doggie tophat.

Margaret Konecky of The Elegant Hare in Rubik’s Cube-inspired cashmere matching outfits.
Photo credit: Judith H. Block

Delilah was a popular runway model, also walking with Olympic Gold Champion, Dominique Moceanu of Creations by C+C stunning human and pet jewelry designs, dressed in a black and hot pink homage to Cyndi Lauper.

Dominique Moceanu and rescue, Delilah, channeling Cyndi Lauper

And, a chicken (Lady Gaga) wore colorful tulle, inspired by Cyndi Lauper and created by Ada Nieves; a frog (Prince Charming) “walked” the runway in a carry on jar, hand painted in an 80’s theme by Nieves,   and a generous helping of felines also made appearances on on the runway.

Lady Gaga as Cyndi Lauper? I guess stranger things have happened!

One costume I loved depicting the Royal Wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, another popular iconic choice, and three adorable girls (one of them a model for New York Fashion Week), dressed in red, sequined Royal Guards regalia, pushing the two kitties of honor in their royal carriage, down the catwalk.

Kitties getting married! Prince Charles & Princess Diana with the Royal Guards.

Some other notables included:

Rock ‘n’ roll, Madonna style, designed by Cheryl Keninger, worn by Debbie Nap, with matching design on Queen Guinevere.
Photo credit: Judith H. Block

Queen Guinevere in her matching design to her mom’s, designed by Cheryl Keninger.
photo credit: Judith H. Block

Ada Nieves design, inspired by NYC graffiti, reading “donate; New Yorkies.” Worn by Porshia Forster.

The Cabbage Patch Kids, designed and walked by Diane Lucci.

More Madonna! Terry St. Angelo and Nevada in matching cone bras, inspired by the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier design.

Karen Varley (designer) with her Pittie, Sugar, feeling very Billy Idol punk.

The evening closed with a Best of the 80’s Costume Contest, whereby anyone could enter with their own designs. Best in Show was awarded to Lynn Lina with her pup, Baxter, and Debbie Nap with her runway staple dog, Queen Guinevere, also recreating the Royal Wedding, with Queen Guinevere, portraying the Princess, walked by Diana’s mother and “Charles,” being walked by the Queen of England.  Lynn’s Queen was of the campy variety, and she played it to the hilt, entertaining the audience in grand style. Julie Lancaster, of Off the Cuff Stuff for Pets, designed all of the outfits in this winning ensemble.

The Winner’s Circle: l to r: winning designer, Julie Lancaster, Debbie Nap with Queen Guinevere, Lynn Lina with Baxter and Danny & Amy Cox.

As the last dog and human models left the runway, it seemed the four hour event had flown by in a whir of bright color, big hair, leg warmers, sequins, safety pins, shoulder pads and lots of fun. This was a great showcase for pet designer creativity, and I look forward to seeing what inspires unexpected genius next year!

For more information on the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals.

Do you do pet fashion? Weigh in in the comments!

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