Dogs have long been loyal companions to humans, but what began as a convenient hunting and guarding partnership has evolved well beyond that – over the millennia, dogs have slowly but surely moved from barns and kitchens into living rooms and even bedrooms. “Animals are better children. They don’t yell, don’t back down, and are cheaper,” is the joke among – mostly young – dog owners. And statistically speaking, millennials prefer dogs or cats to children, according to a recent survey by the US consumer protection platform Consumer Affairs out of here.
So it’s no wonder that brands that are exclusively dedicated to dogs have given up their marginal existence and are confidently putting themselves in the spotlight. Once mostly limited to collars, leashes, beds and blankets, today there is even couture for dogs from brands like Holly Owl, Eva Machi, UnoRuben, LolliPet and Emma Firenze. Reason enough for Pitti Uomo to take this trend into account by dedicating, for the first time this year, an exclusive area dedicated to clothing, accessories and lifestyle products for dogs.
Just as with fashion brands, awareness of sustainability is also growing among dogwear brands. After all, you don’t want to dress your dog in something that’s bad for him or her or the environment. However, the newfound obsession can take a rather bizarre turn when dogs wear the fur or skin of other animals – wool sweaters, for example, or leather boots. But see for yourself, FashionUnited presents – in any order – seven sustainable dog clothing brands from around the world, each with something special to offer.
Snoot style
Australian company Snoot Style offers coats, puffer jackets and sweaters for dogs, as well as blankets, towels, leashes and collars. The brand – like many others – was founded out of frustration after “buying too many dog coats that didn’t fit the bill,” according to founder Katy King. She wanted to create useful and fashionable dog clothes that are also sustainable.
Using her background in fashion, she single-mindedly turned to an ethical supply chain: “We use recycled and sustainable materials, including organic cotton. We ship in compostable envelopes and minimize the use of plastic. Quality that lasts,” says the brand’s website. Additionally, 10 percent of profits from each sale go to the World Wildlife Fund to help support communities, conserve biodiversity and create a greener future.
Canada Pooch
Canada Pooch was founded by Jacqueline Prehogan in 2011 after she was looking for the right size protective gear for her pooch to withstand the Canadian winter. Today, the Toronto-based brand offers 15 sizes for all dog breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, and has built over 5,000 retail partners and a community of pet owners.
Canada Pooch strictly avoids animal products and does not offer any clothing or accessories that contain down, fur or leather. The brand has a collection of weighted blankets and coats for nervous and anxious dogs, as well as an eco-conscious collection that uses recycled fabrics, lining or polyfill, stock, organic cotton, vegan leather and plant-based dyes.
“We believe it is our responsibility to make a positive impact on the pet industry. We approach sustainability with a novice mentality and are constantly looking for new and creative ways to implement sustainable practices. To date, we have made great strides in sustainable innovation, creating over a dozen products from sustainable materials. We are committed to making 100 percent of our packaging from recyclable materials by 2023,” the brand explains on its website.
Beana design
Finnish petwear brand Beana Design was founded in 2020 as a “homage to the wonderful bond between humans and animals, as well as to support harmony with nature and the preservation of a healthy planet”. The design company aims to redefine the petwear market and employs “the most exciting young textile design talent in Scandinavia combined with more than 30 years of experience in petwear development”.
The brand’s approach to sustainability rests on three pillars: the ambitious goal of creating “the most beautiful, most comfortable and most sustainable products for pets”. Beana Design currently offers reflective clothing, rainwear and winter items for dogs. All products are designed in Finland and manufactured in Europe, currently in Estonia. They’re also sustainably sourced, made from recycled materials and packaged plastic-free. In addition, 5 percent of the profit goes to the protection of animals and the environment.
Cloud7
Cloud7 is a Berlin dog clothing brand that offers puffer vests, coats and sweaters for dogs made from sustainable and recycled as well as natural materials such as hemp, cotton, jute or seagrass. It was founded in 2010 by fashion designer Petra Jungebluth, who previously worked at Tommy Hilfiger and the German fashion label Strenesse. “Since then, the company has developed into a premium dog brand with loyal fans all over the world: Cloud7 offers the broadest product portfolio in this segment and is distributed by selected retail partners in more than 35 countries,” says the brand on its website.
But that’s not all – the award-winning company (best brand, best product design, etc.) also offers a rescue collection of collars, dog cushions, as well as t-shirts and bags for the owners: inside, the proceeds benefit dogs in need. For those who really can’t get enough of dogs, the brand also has its own magazine dedicated to dog supplies and life with dogs in general. “Each material, design and end product is tested for durability and longevity to minimize wastage. Production runs are planned in a resource-efficient manner and shipments are carefully planned to reduce our carbon footprint,” emphasizes Cloud7.
Wag&Wool
Brighton-based company Wag&Wool was founded by knitwear designer and lecturer at the University of Brighton and London College of Fashion Rachael Driver after she wrapped her friend’s dog in a hand-knitted scarf on a cold day. The idea turned into a business when the pandemic hit and since then Wag&Wool have been shipping luxury dog sweaters and matching dog kennel kits across the UK and worldwide.
While some dog clothing brands eschew animal materials in their products, this is essential for Wag&Wool: all knitwear is made from lambswool and spun by Z Hinchcliffe & Sons in Denby Dale, Yorkshire. “This makes our dog knitwear biodegradable and recyclable, and the same goes for our packaging,” explains the brand. “We prefer natural fibers to man-made acrylic fibers and use recycled materials for our labels. Everything is made in England in small batches; the production partners we work with are independent, family-run craft businesses. All of our products are designed by ourselves.”
Kali Dog Wear
Kali Dog Wear offers eco-friendly dog products such as collars, beds, leashes, bandanas and accessories that are handmade in Bali, Indonesia, where the brand is based. The brand was born out of a need for durable, plastic-free collars and a desire to help street dogs without depending on donations.
Founder Annika Brandt experimented with yarn leftovers from clothing factories, coconut yarn and metal, and in October 2019 the first collar was made. The brand also has its own store in Canggu, Bali, which opened in June 2021. In addition, a blog provides dog fans with useful tips.
kizzou
Kizzou is a New York City-based dog apparel brand whose sustainable approach rests on three pillars: working ethically, zero waste, and animal-friendly, recycled or upcycled fabrics and materials that contain no harmful chemicals or dyes. All Kizzou garments are handmade in the USA by women who earn fair wages and also work for Broadway. Small quantities ensure there is no overstock and any unsold samples are donated to city animal shelters.
The brand offers coats and jackets, streetwear and collars as well as tailor-made creations. “The idea for Kizzou came from my need to find jackets that would fit my two rescued Yorkies. All the jackets I bought for my dogs never fit properly and I always had to adjust them myself. So one day I decided to design my own jacket that would be adjustable and that’s how Kizzou was born,” recalls founder Roxana Perez Pineiro.
bonus
There are some sustainable brands that don’t make dog clothes per se but focus on a well thought out part or accessory, but we liked their sustainable approach so here are two more brands:
Omniagioia
Omniagioia is an Italian brand that launched in July 2022 and focuses on sustainable, fashionable and high quality design for dogs. “Omniagioia’s goal is to offer ethical and sustainable products for the pet market, made mainly from recycled plastic and thanks to the use of 3D printing technology, with a low environmental impact during the production phase,” explain the founders and friends Daria Lo Giudice and Ileana Ciamarone. “The goal is to create a brand that works to order without creating mass production or stock, so working on demand and combining craftsmanship and technology with recycling.”
Bonne et Filou
New York City-based brand Bonne et Filou is named after King Louis XIV of France’s favorite dogs, Bonne and Filou, who lived the good life at his palace. Although the brand specializes in French-inspired dog treats, they also offer a vest for dogs made from 80 percent recycled materials and made from a waterproof and windproof fabric. It is made in Ukraine and the proceeds go to war-affected dogs there.