Dogs And A Cat In Couture Take Over New York Fashion Week (10 Pics)

Anthony Rubio Designs Spring/Summer 2023

New York Fashion Week

I am so proud of my New York Fashion Week presentation for Spring and Summer 2023. My collection included 20 creations for humans and 20 of my Canine Couture designs.

The collection I sent down the runway was very eclectic. Normally I latch onto a theme presenting a more tightly cohesive collection but this time I wanted to capture a representation of life as we are experiencing it. So I call this collection Everyday People...and Their Pets.

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Backstage with Livie The Mork before hitting the runway at Anthony Rubio Designs NYFW show.

Her Big Debut.
Allow me to introduce our newest canine model. Her name is Darla and she is a magnificent Pomeranian rescue with a smile to melt your heart.

Her mommy brought her to the show with no intentions of having her model but that quickly turned around. She was actually adopted only recently and she was brought along to accompany her newest sister Lala who has been modeling for me for many seasons. Of course, Lala rocked the runway but apparently not one to miss out on any opportunity, Darla quickly acclimated to the ambiance and demonstrated interest in getting in on the act.

Her mommy Linda had spotted a magnificent pink gown featuring 3D flowers and inquired about purchasing it for Darla. We tried it on her. Darla flashed her infectious smile and before we knew it mommy asked if we could give her a chance on the runway.

Darla was great once matched with our model who hit the runway in an off-white sequined ball gown. Together they slayed.

Perla is taking a moment backstage before hitting the catwalk.

LaLa the Pom and Fritz backstage before hitting the catwalk.

Sunglass Cat backstage before hitting the catwalk.

I opened my New York Fashion Week S/S 2023 for Anthony Rubio Designs with this lovely set of match ensembles. This dress is the culmination of a textile fusion experiment which was very pleasing. The dress is made of transparent compressed sequins in Indigo blue. The panel attached in red is made up entirely of upcycled glass in the form of beading which I then hand-sewed onto the dress. Fun fact, the dress is completely water resistant. Kimba modeled a sculpted tuxedo of Organza in midnight blue with blue and copper accents.

Samantha and Perla. So pretty and sweet as a confection. Love this combination but then both dresses were designed specifically for these models.

Alison models an eggshell sequined top with a floral mosaic sequined pencil skirt.

Lala the canine model wears an eggplant-colored Art nouveau floral dress.

Luren Marquez and Fritz

I was inspired over the past months by moods and everyday life. There was a little of everything speaking of how we forge forward acclimating to changes and challenges but never forgetting to celebrate our connections with our pets.

There were representations of day wear, loungewear, streetwear, and formal wear all including our four-legged companions. All garments were created utilizing recycled materials proving once again that what was once considered waste can now be repurposed and worn as fashion.

For the pets, I designed them in bright vibrant colors with lots of glimmers, each a unique one-of-a-kind work of art. These garments represent how much our pets brighten our days even at the worst of times. As I have stated time and again, our pets which are mostly adopted from shelters and rescues are models and not accessories. We celebrate our pets and they enjoy not only wearing these creations but they love doing these shows and getting the message out that people should adopt and not shop.

Proceeds from the sales of the canine couture go to various rescue organizations.

Photos by Manonce, Mouhsine Idrissi and Arun Nevader for Getty Images.