The New York fashion show for man’s best friend

THE fashion world knows no bounds as these doggie stars strutted their stuff on a New York catwalk in a show with a twist.

NEW York City may be a capital of the fashion world.

But whether media, finance or fashion, NYC has also proved to be the dog capital of the world.

While the biannual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is happening throughout the mega freezing city for the next few days, another just as important and seemingly happier extravaganza is celebrating four-legged sartorial friends.

While names such as BCBG Max Azria, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Charlotte Ronson, DKNY, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren and Australians such as Zimmermann, Dion Lee and Tome are showing what they are thinking for autumn/winter (hello, a 70s vibe!), a huck of hounds are following suit.

Strutting their stuff on the dog-walk.

The iconic New York Pet Fashion Show (NYPFS) kicked off the Westminster Weekend (and NY Fashion Week) with the doggie runway show, proving to be a must-see show of the year.

The NYPFS, held at the Hotel Pennsylvania, marked the beginning of all pet-related festivities that lead up to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The lobby of the Hotel Pennsylvania was full of dogs, pet cages and various canine accoutrements. There was even a dog dressed as Paul McCartney. And while these models are not Amazonian in stature, their cute factor has certainly taken over.

It was like the Honey Boo-boo of kiddie pageants. Only these kids are cute little canines.

As a surprise and bringing some serious Australian charm to the event, I bumped into former Aussie model Kristy Hinze-Clark, who was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year award, through her work with her own doggie label and animal philanthropy.

A pretty groovy canine.

Kristy adopted three miniature schnauzers — Brando, Ava, and Elwood — a few years ago and supports two dogs from Fur Angels Rescues in Miami — Suzi, a Chihuahua mix, and Runner, a schnauzer mix.

Inspired by her four-legged family members and a love of fashion, Kristy also launched the mega successful Legitimutt — a line of winter coats, puffer jackets, warm-weather polos, custom collars and raincoats for dogs — which is selling up a storm.

“I could think of nothing more creative than working with three of my best friends as models,” she recently told a canine mag.

“The idea actually came to me while I was looking for something to do while pregnant with (first born daughter) Dylan.

“I was studying online for a degree in environmental biology, but I had baby brain and found it hard to concentrate on college work. Designing dog-wear seemed like the perfect solution.’’

Taking after her owner.

Through the company, Hinze-Clark has been able to further support animal rights causes. She donates some Legitimutt proceeds to animal shelters around the world and has purchased spots on local TV news to raise awareness for Fur Angels. She also hosted a photo shoot for the shelter in her store, which led to the adoption of five little dogs.

So, while the doggies do their stuff this weekend in New York, a huge raft of human fashion designers have been showing a distinctly body-con and 70s feel for next season. Boxy cropped Couregges-style jackets and higher-waisted pants are the way to go for autumn/winter 2016.

Four legged VIPs.

Originally published as The New York fashion show for man’s best friend