“Dogs are not purses or scarves, they are living, breathing animals,” said Shirley Banderet, western region vice president of the Chihuahua Club of America. Many owners, including Kolp, are outraged that someone would buy a pet because it’s fashionable. Last month, it was reported that Hilton had replaced Tinkerbell with a smaller Chihuahua named Bambi, because Tinkerbell “grew too big.” Trendy excess? Some think the pet as accessory has gone too far. In the middle of the store, a large basket of plush toys includes a purse-shaped one that reads “Chewy Vuitton” and a perfume bottle with “Chewnel” scrawled across the fabric.

“Bling is definitely in right now for dogs,” co-owner Vince Anginoli said. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimates that $36 billion will be spent on pets this year, and high-end products are the fastest-growing segment.Ī few months ago, pop princess Spears stopped by the store to outfit Bit Bit with some of the hottest handmade dresses and carrying bags. Target and Old Navy have launched pet accessory lines for the masses. Small-dog breeds already were growing in popularity in the United States, but when celebrities - including Paris Hilton and Britney Spears with their Chihuahuas Tinkerbell, and Bit Bit, respectively - started showing up with their pets tucked in their arms or purses, the designer dog phenomenon took off.īrands such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Coach and Prada are catering to the canine fashion trend with products like Burberry’s reversible plaid doggie trench coat ($225) and a Louis Vuitton pet carrier ($1,500). “You can tell she knows it looks adorable.” “When she has her pink dress on, she starts prancing around and her tail starts wagging so fast,” said Kolp, of Scottsdale, who runs a pet-sitting business called Pick of the Litter Pet Sitting. But it’s the pink dress that gets her happily yapping. She has at least 5 sweaters, a wool coat, a winter coat with a hood, a suede vest and a micro black T-shirt that spells “Princess” in rhinestones. The little dog’s life since has been filled with attention and a stylish wardrobe most people would drool over. Blossom is a brown-and-white Chihuahua who belongs to Lisa Kolp, who adopted her from a rescue organization 1 1/2 years ago. Her favorite outfit, a pink-and-white gingham dress, is perfect for going out and looks dashing with her hot pink patent leather collar. When it comes to looking chic, Blossom is as pretty as they come.

Louis vuitton dog collar