hoto: Courtesy of Gucci
Pampered pups, step right up!
Some say ‘It’s a dog-eat-dog world’, but nowadays, it’s more of a dog-eat-hors d’oeuvres world. Pampering our pets is a much-loved pastime for many, with fine food, luxury fashion and homewares getting ever more lavish for our furry friends.
Paris Hilton with her pet dogs. Photo: Instagram.com/hiltonpets
It’s a lifestyle that the rich and famous have been dedicated to for decades. Audrey Hepburn’s Yorkshire Terrier, ‘Mr Famous’, started a Yorkie craze in Hollywood in the Fifties and even co-starred with the actress in Funny Face. Paris Hilton has boasted a collection of teacup-sized pooches over the years, including ‘Tinkerbell’ the Chihuahua, ‘Harajuku B*tch’ the Pomeranian, ‘Dollar’ the Miniature Pinscher, and, most recently, ‘Crypto Hilton’ and ‘Ether Reum’ – both Pomeranians. Naturally, these pocket-sized pups are either paraded around in Louis Vuitton pet carriers, or living their best life in the miniature version of her Beverly Hills mansion Hilton had especially designed for them.
Karl Lagerfeld with Choupette. Photo: Instagram.com/choupetteoficiel
In 2011, French model Baptiste Giabiconi gifted the late Karl Lagerfeld his blue-cream tortie Birman kitten following a stint staying with the designer while Giabiconi travelled for work. Lagerfeld instantly fell in love with Choupette’s beguiling blue eyes and, up until his death in 2019, the pair were inseparable. During this time, the fabulous feline had entire fashion lines dedicated to her, became the subject of her very own book, fronted various advertising campaigns and was even named as an heir to Lagerfelds’s fortune in his will.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Now, those that aspire to treat their fur babies as decadently as these pillars of pet luxury are in luck, as Gucci has released an animal collection to trump them all. The house’s signature whimsy is emblazoned across clothing, crockery and homewares – entirely for dogs and cats. Tweed harnesses, floral polo shirts, and gilded collars are on offer for those wishing to add a touch of glamour to long walks in the countryside, while miniature floral sofas and GG monogrammed mats bring lashings of Italian opulence to the home. There’s even silver cloched pet bowls for maximum dining elegance.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
The Gucci Pet Collection is available to purchase now, but prices aren’t for the faint of heart. The made-to-order miniature beds will set you back £5,170 (AED 23,045), the travel bowl set comes to £2,990 (AED 13,328), and the decadent silver cloche lid is an additional £610 (AED 2,719) on top of its corresponding £450 (AED 2,005) porcelain bowl. However, it’s a mere fraction of the cost of their human-sized counterparts, and who are we to deny our fluffy companions a luxurious lifestyle? Man’s best friend just got a whole lot more chic.
Originally published in Tatler.com
