Fashionable Dogs is coming to NYFW at the New York Dog Museum
New York Fashion Week isn’t just for people.
The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog brings NYFW to bark Page introducing her latest exhibition, Fashionable Dogs.
Just like fashion trends, certain dog breeds have gone in and out of style over time “as the ultimate accessory from nobility to the runway,” according to the Summary of the exhibition.
Visitors can expect to see “a variety of mixed media of painted portraits, archival photos and vintage objects that show the popularity of different dog breeds and how they have influenced fashion and how taste has shaped the breeds,” Alan Fausel, curator of the AKC Museum of the Dog, The Post said.
“You’ll encounter works by well-known photographers along the way, Herb Ritts, Neal Barr and The Inimitable Weegee. There are famous models like Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss and Sharon Tate; prominent dog owners such as Edward VII, Queen Alexandria, Colette and Greg Louganis; and Art Deco works by French etcher Louis Icart,” he added.
However, Fausel noted that the exhibition is not about putting clothes on dogs or that dogs wear clothes.
“Visitors who were expecting to see a range of dog coats, sweaters or booties would be disappointed,” he explained.
What makes a “fashionable dog,” Fausel said, is something that’s breed-specific.
“I didn’t make the choice, but dog lovers have made it over the years. “Some breeds just catch on and get portrayed over and over again in different media,” he shared. “Basically, the breed has to be recognizable and of course photogenic.”
A title panel draft provided by Fausel to the Post notes that for the dog to be considered fashionable, it is typically associated with a notable figure and is preferably rare or alien. It also helps if the breed ” lends itself to artistic expression.”
The Fashionable Dogs exhibit will look at the arc of popularity of several breeds throughout history – including the Borzoi, Greyhound, Poodle, Pekingese, Japanese Chin, French Bulldog and Great Dane – and will explore “the rise and fall of dogs in fashion”. represent. through paintings, fashion photography and accessories.
As the title panel explains, greyhounds were one of the first fashionable dogs, particularly valued for their hunting abilities; The Japanese Chin and Pekingese breeds were in vogue early on because they were both rare and alien. Still popular today, the poodle had its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s; The borzoi was prized by the Russian and British aristocracy in the early 20th century; and in the 1990s, the Harlequin Great Dane became a fashion favorite to photograph.
After all, the French bulldog was widespread in the 20th century but was “neglected for many years.” But in 2022, the breed hit its stride and became the most-registered breed by the American Kennel Club.
The New York State Council on the Arts, the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature have supported the exhibition, which runs September 7 through December 31, 2023.
Members of the AKC Museum of the Dog can do this RSVP to an opening reception for the exhibition on September 6th.
“Ever since the museum moved back to New York, I’ve always wanted to do something around fashion week,” added Fausel press release. “It was great fun exploring the many points of interaction between dogs and the world of fashion, and we also had a few nice surprises along the way.”
However, Fausel told The Post that other than this year’s show, there are currently no plans for future fashion-themed shows.
Founded in 1884, the AKC is America’s premier authority and resource on all things canine. It is the world’s largest and oldest non-profit registry for all races.
Home to the largest collection of canine art in the United States, the Museum of the Dog provides education, historical perspective, and aesthetic enjoyment for the importance of dogs and their relationship to humans.
