Dogs with Style: My Top 10 Products from Global Pet Expo
Are you ready to discover the newest, most stylish products about to hit the market? Fresh from the massive Global Pet Expo, I’m still excited by all I’ve seen and I’ve got some fabutastic ones to share with you! OK, so fabutastic isn’t actually a word, but you get my exuberance, right? We’ll cover all things dogs with style would love, from dog fashion to accessories, from home decor to items designed to make your life easier. Let’s hit the ground running, so you don’t miss a thing!
Pipolli
Named for her two French Bulldogs, Piggy & Polly, both bonafide stars on Instagram (@piggyandpolly), Carla Schwab took her minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired style of photographing her dogs into creating a brand for like-minded pet parents. The signature item is a very cool tee pee in a black and white pattern, where Fifi or Fido can rest, play or hide out, in style. Pipolli also makes wonderful, classic-looking tees, hoodies and towels in Carla’s signature black and white or grey palette. Love this! Pipolli.
Air Buggy
I’d researched many dog strollers for my post on Strollers for Dogs: Where & When?, but I’d never seen one like the Air Buggy. Designed in Tokyo by a brand that makes stylish baby strollers, it is sleek and adorable, at the same time. It’s very well-made, with a hand brake, air-filled tires, an easy folding frame and comes in a variety of great colors. Because the stroller factory is in Hawaii, they’ve also incorporated a couple of traditional Hawaiian fabrics. And, what’s really cool is the buggy pod detaches from the base, so you can use it as a safe place for your pup in the park, on a picnic, at the airport or, wherever! It even has a shoulder strap. It comes in a small or medium, with the medium fitting dogs up to 33 lbs.
Such great design and detailing doesn’t come cheap. This stroller retails for about $600.00 and up. But, if you can afford it, what a great product to own! They also make large, low to the ground, flatbed-like strollers that look smart, too, for large dogs, up to 100 lbs. Great for seniors and dogs who are recuperating. Airbuggy-Dog.
The Worthy Dog
Doesn’t a well-done seersucker or madras on a pup melt your heart? It does mine; they look like little boys and girls! So, when I passed The Worthy Dog’s booth at Global, it was like a laser beam, pulling me in. These pieces are adorable and, with the designers having come from the women’s fashion world, there is attention to fabric and detailing. Fun, spring colors and loved the raincoat lining matching the dresses and shirts. A fave. Check out The Worthy Dog for styles, but stay tuned to the Bark & Swagger Boutique, as this is one I might just add!
Bass Brushes
Remember those wonderful Mason Brushes when you were younger? I had one and loved it. The Bass Brushes are so beautifully made and of such a high quality, that that might be enough. But, brand co-founder, Joel Weinstein, told me what made one of their styles so different, they have a patent on it. This one will make your lives easier when it’s time for that nightly brushing. The Fusion Brush combines three types of brushes in one: a detangler, a skin stimulator and a finishing brush for shine. One stroke, three functions. Pretty cool, right? Find out more at The Hairdoc Company.
FriendshipCollar
A matching collar for your dog and bracelet for you. Why? We know! You and your best friend should match! That’s what FriendshipCollar’s About page says, and who am I to argue? FriendshipCollar was built on the foundation of love and friendship and has been inspired by best friends everywhere. It’s as much a bonding experience as a fashion statement. There are several collections; the one above is the Boutique Collection, one of my favorites. If you want to go more colorful fun, you can choose one of the many great prints in the Friendship Collection. There are others. Find out more at FriendshipCollar, but stay tuned, as the Bark & Swagger Boutique may be carrying select ones, too!
The Friendship Collection
Country Chic is So In
Warm camel and toffee; tobacco and creams – the colors, textures and styles of the French and English countryside have made their way into dog fashion. Yay! JLA Pets is doing it really well. I loved their collection at Global and I know you will, too. You’ll have to do a bit of searching as JLA are manufacturers. But on their site DesignerLiving.com, you can see what they do and purchase! And, they have some beautiful pieces, so have fun!
Purely Pendleton!
Did you know that iconic Pendleton designs weren’t only inspired by Native American culture? They was also inspired by our very own national parks and their individual colors. And, Carolina Pet Company was lucky enough to snag the exclusive licensing rights to all things Pendleton Pets! The hues and patterns are breathtaking; a must have for those who love the outdoors or this style. I was wowed by the sheer beauty of the pieces and was very sorry, in that moment, that we live in South Florida now, or you can be sure I would’ve scooped up a few of the coats and beds for my brood. More info at Pendleton Pets.
Fundle? It’s FUN!
I knew about Fundle because of their pet slings. They’re cute and functional. And now, they have a brand, new product I fell for, and I fell hard. These dog bags are special. Besides using wonderful fabrics and including great design features, this bag is so darn functional, it makes being stylish almost seem mundane. But, that’s so not the case here. The bags zip all the way open to become a mat you can use outdoors or in. The lining has two deep, long pockets that contain a foil material on one side to act as a cooling conductor for a small ice pack. So, in hot weather, your little one stays comfortable, while looking absolutely fabulous. Comfort cushions at each end for little heads or paws, handles or shoulder straps. I think you may be seeing these great bags in my Boutique for Spring/Summer, I love them so. Brought home the creme and sand polka dot one with the tulle ruffle and have already taken Albie for a ride in it. These bags aren’t on the Fundle site yet, but stay tuned here.
Corky’s Reflective Wear
Being visible at night. How many of you have had near misses in the dark with your dogs and cars or bikes? It’s scary, and Corky’s Reflective Wear aims to change all that. Yes, there are products on the market that glow in the dark or use reflective tape so you can see your pet’s garment. Corky’s is doing it better, I think, utilizing simple, yet chic style, great colors and more advanced technology. They make coats and a great collar wrap for dogs who won’t wear clothes. The material is completely water repellent; they demonstrated it for me at the booth. This is another product you may be seeing in the Boutique. It’s reasonable and works, solving a problem we, as pet parents have, and doing it with style. Love that! Corky’s Reflective Wear.
Beautiful Dog Gates You Can Match with Your Decor
How long have we waited for this? If you need dog gates and you have a decorated home, you want something that’s going to look beautiful. Fusion Gates do. I met Donna Potter, the founder of the brand, at BarkWorld, and loved her product at that time. There are many different panels to choose from, from nature-inspired to urban, from dog-centric to whimsical. Find out more at Fusion Gates.
Summary
Global Pet Expo is like being a kid in a candy store for me. I love it every year. It’s a great place to discover what’s new, yet there were too many wonderful products to include them all here. Hear more from Global Pet Expo my radio show. Parts 1 & 2 of 4 parts below. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to get your fill of fashionable fun, including my interview with Isaac Mizrahi.
And, as my show’s tagline says…when fierce fashion calls, Bark & Swagger!
Do you use a stylish product that makes your life easier? Tell me about it!
