The blogger
It’s been just three weeks since Bodhi, a 3½-year-old Shiba Inu, launched his “Menswear Dog” fashion blog (mensweardog.tumblr.com) but designers are already clamoring to work with him.
“It’s overwhelming,” says owner David Fung, a 28-year-old graphic designer who lives on the Upper East Side and started the blog with his wife, Yena Kim, 26, who works in fashion. He notes that Coach and Hickoree’s, a hip Williamsburg shop, have approached them about collaborating and that some 700,000 visitors have come to the site.
Every blog post features Bodhi modeling a smart menswear ensemble — think a Ralph Lauren jacked paired effortlessly with a vintage sweater and a dashing Stetson cap (above) — as well as suggestions for accessories.
The natty pup seems to be enjoying the work. “He loves the camera and the attention,” enthuses Fung, who says shooting each look typically takes just 15 minutes — and a few dog treats. “When he doesn’t feel like shooting, we don’t… but that doesn’t happen very often.”
At this point, all of Bodhi’s looks are culled from Fung’s admirably stylish wardrobe. Handily, he has a slim build. “I’m a size small,” says the dog owner. “That helps in fitting a 30-pound dog in clothes.”
— Hailey Eber
The scenester
This 6-year-old, 3½-pound Chihuahua was all over New York Fashion Week.
Dauphine-Bijoux, a k a “Fatty D.,” attended no less than eight shows.
“Fatty’s favorites were probably Jill Stuart and Nautica men,” says her “mother,” Tamae Elizabeth Ishii (above), a designer-turned-stylist. “I think she liked the cute male models at Nautica.”
With more than 200 outfits in her Upper East Side closet, the pampered pooch is as well-clad as the humans she watches on the runway. It’s important she has a variety of looks, given all the attention she attracts and her presence on various social networks (Twitter handle @Fattythe Chi). “She gets her picture taken everywhere we go,” says a proud Ishii.
“Everyone loves Fatty.”
— Kirsten Fleming
The model
The fashionista with the fairest fur coat isn’t some socialite, it’s a rabbit.
Merlin, an Angora bunny that spends his days at Condor, a chic NoLIta boutique, has a fluffy pelt that’s made him a hot model.
“He just shot two days at Milk Studios and made $600,’’ boasts Loriann Smoak, the 29-year-old owner of both the boutique and the bunny. “He has been in GQ and a Nordstrom ad, as well as a music video.”
When Merlin isn’t working, he spends his days in the shop greeting fans and updating his Instagram page for his 600-plus followers (handle @Merlin_Manhattan). “He’s funny, and he knows he’s famous,” says Smoak.
— Beth Landman