Artexpo's Doggie Fashion Show Delivers `Pooch Couture'

Art Business News, May, 2001

One of the highlight's at this year's Artexpo was a doggie fashion show, fondly referred to as DFNY (Doggie Fashion Show New York), to benefit a very special cause: the Humane Society of New York. The show featured one-of-a-kind, hand-painted doggie jackets, leashes and collars created by Artexpo artists Marco, Anne Aderman, Steve Kaufman, Dwayne Hickman, Salvatore Principe, Edna Hibel, Burton Morris, Lisa Grubb, Romero Britto, William Lopa and Clemens Briels. Wearing these fashions were 11 celebrity and adoptable dogs who were escorted down the "cat walk" by Broadway's hottest celebrities. Ashley, who played `Toto' from "The Wizard of Oz" and Sparky, who played `Sandy' from "Annie" were among the celebrity pooches. Artexpo artist and actor Dwayne Hickman (aka Dobie Gillis) hosted the event.

"Dogs and animals in general have always been favorite subjects of artists," commented John Vasko, marketing manager of Artexpo. "We thought a doggie fashion show featuring designs by Artexpo artists would be a sure hit."

Vasko's thinking proved correct. The event generated a lot of publicity, including coverage from Fox News, WB, New York 1, Good Day New York, Reuters and the Associated Press. And, best of all, some of the dogs were adopted, and the coats are going to be auctioned off at a later date to benefit the Humane Society. Plans for a similar event next year are already in the works.

The Humane Society of New York helps 30,000 dogs and cats each year with shelter, inoculations, spaying and neutering and adoption services.