Livi has the makings of a true fashionista — an exotic look, small bone structure, great hair and an expensive fashion sense. But she is no Giselle — she is a Yorkie.
Livi is a customer at Posh Paws Boutique in Lafayette, La., a pet fashion boutique. The boutique is bringing the hot pet accessories trend to Louisiana, one chic canine at a time.
People are dressing their animals in high fashions and bringing them everywhere, as if they were accessories, said Ashley Morvant, owner of Posh Paws.
“They are adorable and [it is] like having tiny children,” said Renay Smith, a publicity representative for Animal Fair Magazine.
Dogs are fun to dress up and carry around, but they are living creatures and owners need to remember they are more than accessories, said Connie Wilson, a public relations representative for Modern Dog Magazine.
“Pets are a serious lifetime commitment,” Wilson said. “No one should get a dog as an accessory.”
However, little dogs are wonderful companions who are cute, cuddly, easy to shop with and fun to spoil with pearl dog necklaces, feather boas and doggie sports jerseys, Wilson said.
Pet fashions are sometimes necessary, Smith said.
“Small dogs need sweaters and jackets in the cold months,” Smith said. “All dogs could use a raincoat during the rain.”
Some accessories are practical, such as dog booties for dogs that walk on rough or salt-covered surfaces, Wilson said.
Dog clothing also alleviates clean-up time after being in the mud or the rain, Wilson said.
“If it makes people happy to dress up their dogs, we’re all for it,” Wilson said.
Posh Paws sells dog clothes modeled after people fashions such as summer dresses, boots and Juicy Couture tops, Morvant said.
Dog boots run between $60 and $80, and tops go up to $60, Morvant said.
“A lot of people are somewhat obsessed with celebrities,” Morvant said.
Celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton bring their pets to the red carpet and dress them in diamonds, which may incite ordinary people to do the same, Morvant said.
“The celebrities we feature have a great love for their dogs and often for animals in general,” Wilson said. “For example, Amy Smart is involved with charitable animal organizations such as Best Friends, and Pamela Anderson, another of our past cover models, is involved with PETA.”
Most people buying into the trend are young single girls, Morvant said.
“With the ‘Sex and the City’ lifestyle, its cool to be single, and lots of singles get dogs for company,” Morvant said.
People love and want companionship and little dogs provide as much love as big dogs, Smith said.
People who have pets are happier and healthier, Smith said.
“Pets provide unconditional love that most people don’t,” Smith said.
Posh Paws will have a dog fashion show, displaying the latest dog trends, at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m., Morvant said.