HELLO! India Exclusive: Paws-onal icons of the fashion world

In a world divided by court orders against our canine companions, there are some that choose to go above and beyond for their pets. Numerous luxury fashion houses have capitalised on this sentiment. Motifs of dogs, cats, birds, and other animals are no longer merely ancillary ingredients; they’ve become central to campaigns, collections, and revenue streams. Not to mention the booming pet wear industry that’s projected to hit a market valuation of US$7.23 billion by 2030. Tracing the paw prints, we track how fashion houses have kept tails wagging through pet-friendly couture, with founders and creative directors finding inspiration in their fur babies.

THE VALENTINO PUGS

Embedded in the atelier’s lore is founding designer Valentino Garavani’s lifelong love of pugs — his own companions, who he famously said were “more important than the collections.” He’s believed to have named a second line of clothing after his late pug, Oliver, complete with a clothing tag bearing the motif of a pug. Valentino’s entourage of the toy breed lived the most luxurious life, travelling in private jets, their every need catered to by a butler of their own. So it comes as no surprise that motifs and prints of the beloved breed help shape much of the brand narrative, appearing in an array of Valentino collectables even today.

CHRISTIAN DIOR & HIS BELOVED BOBBY

The key accessory of Dior’s AW 2020 collection was the hobo-style Bobby bag, complete with the maison’s 30 Montaigne Paris address hand-embossed on the back. This was Maria Grazia Chiuri’s tribute to founder Christian Dior’s beloved pet, Bobby, who had lent his name to numerous designs throughout the label’s history — beginning with the Bobby tailored suits that significantly defined Dior’s aesthetic. “Each collection contained a suit earmarked for success called Bobby,” Dior wrote in his memoirs. In fact, the loyal pet also inspired a limited-edition perfume bottle, designed in his image by Fernand Guery-Colas in the 1950s.

ELVIS-INSPIRED CELINE

In 2022, Celine launched a range of pet accessories, born from Creative Director Hedi Slimane’s designs for his own dog, Elvis, a shaggy labradoodle. The line comprised leather collars, leashes, Triomphe canvas carriers, and food bowls. There was even a rubber chew toy in the shape of the Triomphe logo! Besides the Triomphe canvas, all of these bear Celine’s signature luxury markers, including high-quality calfskin leather, and hardware finished in gold or silver. The campaigns, too, starred Elvis alongside celebrities.

DOLCE & GABBANA’S POODLE PERFUME

No ordinary perfume for pooches is enough, when there’s Dolce & Gabbana’s new alcohol-free fragrance mist — the DG Fefé. Named after Co founder Domenico Dolce’s miniature poodle, the scent is the brand’s debut for dogs, a delicate blend of ylang-ylang, musk, and sandalwood. Housed in a green lacquered glass bottle, adorned with a vibrant red metal cap and a precious 24k gold-plated paw in the centre, the launch also included a branded dog collar tied. The sleek encasing can be specially engraved, as well. 

THE THOM BROWNE DACHSHUND

The Hector Bag by Thom Browne — it’s shaped like a weiner dog and later expanded into various products bearing the motif — is a playful homage that used the designer’s darling wire haired dachshund, Hector, as a muse and catapulted him into the status of a fashion icon. Hector has his own share of Instagram followers. The dachshund emblem he inspired also appears embroidered on knitwear, tees, and other pieces in the Thom Browne lineup, playing into the brand’s whimsical aesthetic and also injecting personality into the otherwise structured collections.

THE ‘DOG LVERS’ OF LOUIS VUITTON

The French luxury maison’s Spring-Summer 2025 pre-collection titled ‘Dog LVers’ draws on the dog-walking culture, and is a playful reinterpretation of their heritage, including everything from trainer sneakers, an LV bone bracelet, monogram dog bowls and even a special edition kennel trunk. Also, their latest launch in pet-centric accessories comes in the form of a charming Beagle-shaped sling bag — a playful accessory for animal lovers and fashion enthusiasts alike. 

ALL ABOARD THE PET-WAGON

Gucci was one of the earliest legacy houses to embrace pet wear, with collars, harnesses, leashes, beds, bowls, and beyond, all bearing the GG logo, Web stripes, Herbarium print, and geometric patterns. Hermès went beyond horses to craft Birkin equivalents for our canine companions, in the form of leather leads, engraved tags, pet blankets, toys, and grooming items. Adidas took dog-centric accessories into sporty, athleisure territory. Fendi reimagines its FF monogram on collars, leashes, helmets, and even protective jackets for pets. Prada’s leather and Re-Nylon collars, harnesses, and leashes are both utilitarian and stylish. Versace’s baroque-accented beds, raincoats, and harnesses channel maximalist Italian flair — think Medusa-inspired raincoats. Moncler extended its expertise in cold-weather gear through collabs with specialised dog outerwear brands like Poldo Dog Couture.

This story was featured in the Vol 1. Issue 6 of HELLO! India. For more exclusive stories, subscribe to the magazine here.