A Glimpse Into the World of Dog Couture

3 minute read

For 11 years, Robin Schwartz had been photographing her daughter, whom she calls her muse. But in February, Schwartz realized that her daughter had grown into a teenager — and one that no longer wanted to play dress up or serve as a portrait model. Schwartz knew it was time to work on another project, and she found that new photographic world at a party hosted by another photographer, Mary Ellen Mark. There, the photographer saw jeweled gowns created for dogs by Anthony Rubio, a designer who commands up to $600 for custom outfits for fashion-forward canines (and their owners). Mesmerized by the colorful and embellished creations, which often involve pearls, crystals or floral pieces, Schwartz knew she had discovered her new subject matter.

A photograph from Schwartz's series Amelia and the Animals.Robin Schwartz

“This is a world where it’s acceptable to dote on and play with your dogs, be extravagant, charitable and eccentric — I wanted in,” she says. “With my daughter growing up, I was getting sad about having an empty nest, and having a dog is like having a baby. I was enamored.”

For the last four months, Schwartz has attended various canine charity events, capturing the fashionable pups and their equally eccentric owners. Schwartz quickly learned that the dog couture world is, like many other social circles, a nuanced and complicated bunch, and balancing the egos of dog owners became as important as camera angle and composition to getting a great shot.

She’s also documented the design process of Rubio, who started making dog costumes after being called to help rescue a badly abused Chihuahua that had been tied to a fence and kicked violently. “After a visit to a vet and being told that he might not live another year due to injuries, I decided to take him, care for him and ultimately rehabilitate him,” Rubio says. “I started dressing him because he was always trembling, and with time, he became quite affectionate… The word got out and I was asked to design for other dogs and the rest is history.”

Schwartz is saying goodbye — at least for now — to the canine couture world as she plans to road trip across the country with her daughter to take portraits for her forthcoming book with Aperture called Amelia and The Animals Photographs. “What I’ve learned from this project is that every group is socially complicated, that people can be pretty needy too and that I prefer animals — except for my daughter, Amelia,” Schwartz says.


Robin Schwartz is a photographer based in New Jersey. She is an Assistant Professor in Photography at William Paterson University.

Feifei Sun is an Atlanta-based writer. Follow her on Twitter @feifei_sun.


The following photographs were taken Feb. through June 2013.From left to right: Kimba, a Chihuahua, companion to Anthony Rubio; Nora, a Chinese Crested, companion to Robin Schwartz (shown here with Amelia Forman, Schwartz's daughter); and Rosie, a Yorkie, companion to Grace Forster (shown here with Ashley Speranza) backstage after showing Bandit Rubio designs at the first ever pet fashion show at Brooklyn Fashion Week.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Yum Yum, a Chihuahua, won best fashion at ZZ and Pebbles’ disco themed birthday party to benefit Yorkie 911.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Teresa Costanza dancing at ZZ and Pebbles’ disco themed birthday party while her Chihuahua, Yum Yum, watches.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Ilene Zeins and her Maltipoo, ZZ, photographed at home in Brooklyn, N.Y. ZZ is wearing a Bandit Rubio design.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Loudin, a Chihuahua, companion to Ninoska Viaggiano, at the Roaring Twenties Pet Fashion Show presented by Tropiclean and hosted by The Hotel Pennsylvania.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Anthony Rubio and his Chihuahua, Kimba, sewing couture for the upcoming Wigglebutt Wedding to benefit Cocker Spaniel Rescue.Robin Schwartz for TIME
ZZ, a Maltipoo, companion to Ilene Zeins, at home in Brooklyn, N.Y. wearing Olga Yuditsky for Orostani Couture for Haute Doggies.Robin Schwartz for TIME
ZZ wearing a custom made jumpsuit designed by Olga Yuditsky to match Ilene's outfit for her disco themed birthday party.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Grace Forster with her Yorkies, Rosie and Portia, and Karen Biel, with her Chihuahua, Eli, get ready to walk the runway at Doggie Do & Playtime Too’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration to Benefit K9Kastle.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Mojito, companion to Ada Nieves, and Eli, companion to Karen Biehl, both backstage at Doggie Do & Playtime Too’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration to Benefit K9Kastle. Robin Schwartz for TIME
Aspen, a Chihuahua, companion to Terry St. Anglo, at the Couture Paws For a Cause Brunch, a benefit hosted by Celebrity Catwalk.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Amelia Forman and Nora, a Chinese Crested, wait backstage at Anthony Rubio’s fashion show during Brooklyn Fashion Week. Robin Schwartz for TIME
Tash De La Hoz and her Alaskan Klee Kai, Karma, at the Roaring Twenties Pet Fashion Show presented by Tropiclean and hosted by The Hotel Pennsylvania. Robin Schwartz for TIME
Anthony Rubio and his Chihuahua, Kimba, on the runway after having his designs featured in the Canine Couture Fashion Show hosted by Doggie Do & Playtime Too.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Carmen, a Chihuahua, at Doggie Do & Playtime Too’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration to Benefit K9Kastle.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Bobbi Mitchell and her Maltese, Betty Boop, ready to walk the runway at Anthony Rubio’s fashion show during Brooklyn Fashion Week.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Taffany and Mia, Maltese companions to Tamber Hunter, at the NYC Doggies and Tiaras Pageant 2013 at the New Yorker Hotel, held to benefit the Inky Blue Sea Animal Rescue group. Robin Schwartz for TIME
Sophie Gamand of Striking Paws Pet Photography photographs Summer Strand and her Chihuahua, Angel Song, at the Senior Soiree Benefit for K9Kastle hosted by City Dog Expert and Han Nari & MG. The happy pink dog, Franky, companion to Gina Agnello, runs wild.Robin Schwartz for TIME
Summer Strand and her Chihuahua, Angel Song, at the Roaring Twenties Pet Fashion Show presented by Tropiclean and hosted by The Hotel Pennsylvania. Robin Schwartz for TIME

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