Inamorada – Celebrating Milan Fashion Week with Luxury Dog Clothes from Italy
Lilly Dress & matching Dog Tote in Lilac
Milano Moda Uomo, or Milan Fashion Week, is upon us, with top designers getting runway ready with last minute touches on their Spring/Summer 2015 designs. While New York, London, Paris and Tokyo Fashion Weeks are all exciting in their own ways, it is Milan that has become synonymous with immaculate tailoring accompanying their classic style. As Bark and Swagger is the home of all things dog fashion, I chose one of the top designers of luxury dog clothes, based in Milan, to feature in honor of that city’s fashion event.
Inamorada turns out stunning work for every season and occasion. Founded in 1976 by Benedetta Sainaghi, and named for her French Bulldog, Morada, the brand brings the excellence of Italian tailoring to the pet world. They choose lush fabrics to work with and create designs that are at once classic, and yet, very on trend. These are pieces that will last.
Plush sweaters, stylish coats, classic and fun dresses both casual and formal, matching and separate carry bags and beds…you are covered in luxury in every product category. I discovered them while searching for Italian dog fashion to feature around Milan Fashion Week, and when I saw the collection, I knew this was a brand I had to share with you!
While much of what they do is timeless, I still reached out to Benedetta to get the most up-to-date news on what’s happening with Inamorada, and what the new designs are for fall.
Belgravia Hooded Cashmere Coat
New Looks
If you’re a fan of complete looks, like me, you’ll love what I’m about to show you. Benedetta has created matching coat and carry bag designs that are so beautiful, it’s the choosing that’s going to be difficult! She’s even included a matching dress, here and there. Whether you like metallics, like the Armatura silver, or maybe a rich honey faux croc is your fancy, like the My Croco design, or you’re a fan of the Chanel look, as exhibited in her Grace collection, there is a luxury look for you. I’m so excited to turn you on to this label!
Inamorada’s pricing is on par with luxury dog design; not as costly as some and more than others; well worth it to me, based on the quality of materials and how timeless they are. I’ve included so many pieces in this article, I’ve left all of the pricing on the site’s product page. I don’t usually do that, but it was less complicated and cleaner to do here. So, get comfortable in your front row seat at a Milano Fashion Week show all our own!
When I saw this piece, it was a no brainer to include. But, it was the honey color that I chose to feature. It’s richness and warmth lured me in. What is this? It’s the My Croco faux croc coat, with damask lining, gold jewel buttons sitting prettily on the back belt and velcro jewel buttons on the belly. A wonderful fabric panel is sewn behind the collar, with top stitching detail, which makes for an interesting design feature. I love how Benedetta chose to reverse the direction of the crocodile pattern for the belt. Also comes in black and a dark grey. Nice.
The matching carry bag is elegant and right on trend with skins being so popular this fall. But no animals were harmed. The bag features are:
- Gold chain handles
- Silk bow embellishment
- Side openings
- Gold damask lining
- Removable interior cushion
- Interior lead attachement
- Water resistant
- For dogs up to 10 lbs.
Size: 38cm W x 20cm D x 23cm H (approx. 15″ W x 7.8″ D x 9″ H)
My Croco honey-colored coat
My Croco matching carry bag
The Armatura in silver is sleek and very modern. The faux leather has a imprint with a mattelasse effect, adding to the high tech feel. A generous faux silvery grey fur collar and lining in cream faux fur finishes this coat off perfectly. The only thing missing is the gorgeous silver matching bag, just below. Can you just imagine, city dwellers, strutting down the street rocking this bag, with your little one sporting this coat? That heads will turn is a given. I’m seeing modeling contracts in your future!
The carry bag’s features include:
- Removable interior cushion
- Interior lead attachement
- Water resistant
- For dogs up to 10 lbs.
The Armatura Coat
The Full View
Armatura Matching Carry Bag
Classic Chanel fans, the Grace collection is an opportunity to dress your pup in a design that really could’ve come out of that couture house. It possesses more of the true Chanel commitment to quality, materials and design than others I’ve seen. I like the plum tweed because it’s perfect for Fall. But if you prefer pale, there’s a cream and pink that’s perfect and very chic! The dress features a taupe jersey top, plum tweed skirt and a sophisticated little gold chain link belt at the waist. The matching bag is classic Chanel all the way, tailored to suit a pooch. Dangling from the chain link strap is an Inamorada charm. An alternate carry bag, which I like even more, is below. It offers:
- Ultra-soft interior for supreme comfort
- Removable interior cushion
- Interior lead attachment to keep your pet safe and secure
- For dogs up to 10 lbs.
Size: 15″ x 10″ x 7″
Grace Dress and matching Carry Bag
The Coco Carrier
The Cinderella dress features an understated but very chic floral embroidered pattern on wool with a wool jersey stretch top, so it fits perfectly and keeps its shape. A well-placed velvet ribbon with a pearl center adds just the right touch of embellishment to an already visually-interesting skirt and you’re ready to go! If you just can’t get enough of this fabric (and I’d be right there with you!), the Cinderella also comes in a matching coat, as well as that carry bag. The coat is lined in wool and features a rolled collar trimmed in matching satin. So beautiful! Now, to that matching carry bag. Love loving that bag, which could easily pass for a Valentino purse. The handles are made from plexiglass and the bag’s features include:
- Removable interior cushion
- Interior lead attachment
- Plexiglass wood-effect handles
- Side opening
- Zippered closing
- For dogs up to 10 lbs.
Size: 41cm W x 26cm D x 30cm H (approx. 16″ W x 10″ D x 11.8″ H)
In addition to this gorgeous shade of blue, the coat and bag come in a wow wow fuchsia that is my personal favorite, a pretty wonderful plum and a champagne neutral that is a classic. This is definitely city luxury fare but, as we know, you can’t be too fabulous, so please don’t limit yourself to this indulgence if you love and live elsewhere.
Cinderella Dress
Cinderella Dress in Plum Version
Cinderella Coat in Blue
Cinderella Coat in Fuchsia-Wow!
Cinderella Matching Dog Carrier in Blue
Cinderella Carrier in Fuchsia
Other Fall pieces
I got carried away with the ensembles. I couldn’t help myself! Had a really tough time choosing what to cover. So, now that I got ensemble mania out of my system, here are a few individual pieces I love and think would make any a fine addition to any stylish pup’s wardrobe.
The Sissi Dress is spectacular. It’s not play wear, but it is definitely appropriate for an afternoon of shopping. Made from a mohair and wool stretch knit top, with ruffled edges, and a very fun faux fur skirt, this piece stands out from the rest by a country mile. It’s a classically styled top meets an outrageous, runway-inspired bottom, and while that may sound schizophrenic, it works and does so beautifully. A matching velvet bow with a pearl dangle is a lovely feminine touch that keep reappearing in Benedetta’s pieces. The Sissi Dress also comes in black and in ivory.
The Sissi Dress in Grey
The Sissi style also comes in a sleeping bag that is so luxurious and soft, your pup won’t want to get out of bed! I’ve featured Ivory, but it also comes in a beautiful black with cream satin lining.
The Sissi Nap Bag
The Tartan neck warmer in camel is classic all the way. Great for boys or girls, it is a comfortable way to keep your pup warm on those chilly fall days with a sweater, or cold winter days when paired with a coat. I liked the rough edged pieces of plaid placed in a seemingly haphazard way, combined with the classic knit of the wool warmer. For those with femininas, there are options with bows and bling and all come in a variety of colors.
Neck warmer in tartan and camel
The Carolina Dog Bed is both comfy and great looking, made from a floral print cretonne cotton with a bolster back. The hypoallergenic padding is removable so you can wash the bed in cold water. This beauty also comes in a red floral print and both have a matching crocheted and cotton nighties or dress (it can be worn as either), sold separately.
Carolina Bed
Milan’s Dog Fashion Week
Last year, Benedetta told me there was a real Dog Fashion Week associated with Milan Fashion Week, and Inamorada participated. I saw pictures from the event on their Facebook page and it was so stylish and very adorable. Little furry munchkins being walked down the runway by human little munchkins…too cute! Here’s one of the pictures I came across.
The young models, both smooth skinned and furry
during Milan Dog Fashion Week last year
If you’re interested in learning more about Inamorada, watch the video below. Benedetta was interviewed at Global Pet Expo in 2012, and discussed the history of and purpose behind the brand. Many of the designs shown in the video are still being offered, as they are classics.
Where to buy all of the fashions you’ve seen above: Bitch New York
All prices available on the site.
Hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look into the Inamorada brand. I’m a fan…are you? Luxury dog fashion is just that; a luxury. Like my mother always told me…buy less, but buy good. So, find a piece you love and splurge for you and your baby. It will last a long time. Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite luxury piece for your dog? Tell me about it in the Comments below. Don’t be shy…sharing is fashionable! 🙂
(Disclaimer: Affiliate links included in this article)
