Posh Pups Prance for Charity: VIP at the Dog Fashion Show
Disclaimer:
Everything below is a mix of what I observed and heard during the event. The goal isn’t to pinpoint "who exactly said what," but to share (usually) an outsider's view and overall perspective on these industries. I’m not here to act as a definitive firsthand source—readers should do their own research. I hope this inspires you to attend events, explore new industries, and hear what leaders are presenting. These notes combine my observations with thoughts on how things could run smoother and how ideas connect (IMO). I’m not an expert, you know? Just hanging out in the room with them. Enjoy!Ratings: Food (5/5), Venue (5/5), Speaker Content (5/5), Networking (2/5), Likeliness to Return (4/5)
There’s a venue owner I met the other day at the Northwest Events show, and their founders story is SO fantastic. I’ve included it in the video below. I want to visit this place and likely find ways to collaborate with them in the future. At the show, they ran me over to another booth at the convention that is hosting an event at their venue that I was invited to join. The event? Couture Dog Fashion Show!! This is really not like anything I’ve ever been to. I’m allergic to dogs, yet have a passion for fashion and unexpected/amazing things. So, I grabbed antihistamines, chugged them down with water, and headed south of the city. Let’s get struttin’ and stylin’. I’m dressed to impress and ready for the best dogs.
Why Attend: Well, I wrote a lot of the WHY above. Plus, I’m getting the VIP experience!! Hello!! Should be amazing. I’m ready to see the owners, talk with them, and take a million pictures/videos of these fashion pups. Also, let’s see how this experience is, what we can learn from it, and yeah! I mean, I really have no expectations except for smiling a lot hahahaha. Cause IDK how you can’t smile while sitting front row at a dog fashion show!!
Notes from the Event
This blog MUST sparkle and shine in GIFs - so, without further ado, let’s freakin’ look at those amazing dogs. After that, I’ll get into my notes.
Turns out I know the emcee! She’s awesome and we have run into each other a bunch, though idk if I’ve ever seen her emcee before.
Also, my face is breaking out in an allergic reaction hahaha. But. No feelings in my body, so I only noticed in the mirror.
The benefactors were actually surprised by this event being hosted for them. They got on a zoom call with the planners and then later told they’d be the beneficiaries if this event if they would like. So cool. And they were a bit surprised but honored.
They have more events and invited me to cover more
I told them how I didn’t want to make eye contact with any of the dogs cause I didn’t want any spoilers for the runway, but then I was told all of the dogs are in “getting ready” outfits - LOL! What a relief.
The two sister dogs are just normal dogs, not models. But many of the dogs here are dog-influencers.
The charity being celebrated finds people to take in old dog which no one will adopt and put them in a foster home. The adoption places hand over the old dogs and then the foster family does food, grooming. Senior dogs have lots of needs
“Old” varies, but generally 12 years old is the minimum
Over 300 dogs in the program between 200-250 foster homes. Portland to Bellingham.
They have a long list of dogs which need homes, but you can’t take a dog till you have a place for it.
Almost all of the employees are volunteers. For transport. Volunteer to work and help out and do all sorts of things. Wow volunteer drivers. Some sponsors are local & nationwide famous dog brands.
My thought is that lots of people would want to know about this. They should get interns.
The vibe is really friendly
Some dogs 2 years old. Some 9. Some are not show dogs and some are.
One lady makes ADORABLE dog treats. She started when her own dog developed cancer so she wanted to make healthy snacks, then she just kept making them cuter and cuter.
Minimum of oat and flours and maximum beef and veggies. No additives or preservatives
DJ playing Bad Bunny. LOL. She’s cracking me up, there’s a really good playlist going on this whole time.
They had a dress rehearsal on Thursday for the fashion show! lol. Of course. Smart.
Also they have the most amazing catering wit the most unique frosting thing I’ve ever seen. You scrape the frosting off with your wooden spoon and put it on a brownie, cookie, or cupcake. I had a lot of brownies lol.
- Time flew talking to everyone and the dj was fantastic. Amazing food. Especially the meatballs, which were gone quickly. Asparagus wrapped in a pastry was great too, and so were the cheesy mushrooms.
About 80 people here I’d guess. Tickets were 60-100+ so, yeah. That’s expensive for sure.
Influencer dogs. They got recruited to come here. All of the dogs walking the runway were supposedly recruited. LOL.
Pet mocktails. Pet portraits. Doggy Ice cream.
Elisha Williams. The emcee. She’s also a dog walker. So excited to partner with old dog haven. A nonprofit with a large network of foster homes. Unadoptable senior dogs in western Washington.
She had a dog for 14 years. Effort and compassion for senior dogs. Let’s raise funds and have fun.
Couture meets canine. The Devil Wears Prada but Miranda’s jaw would drop at the stunning fashion. Before we dig in, thanks, sponsors. Event sponsor.
Dog treats, pup mocktails. Dog training’s owners birthday. Bellevue pet spa (so many dogs of course, have excellent haircuts). All partners and sponsors celebrated.
Beautiful venue, hoist a balloon dog in the sky. Ederer Hall. Court party rentals.
The DJ is celebrated. Pet friendly dj. And the wedding and events group.
There are a lot of audience dogs here.
Thank you for coming. So grateful for such a wonderful room and a grateful pet community. Huge hand for the emcee Alisha. - She’s a devoted pet sitter and loves to spoil furry friends.
Thanks to their designer with wagness. Can’t wait to see the looks. And shoutout the team of volunteers.
Thanks to the senior pets. Thanks to the friends and family. Thanks for support. Means the world.
And shoutout to husband and family.
Round of applause. Now who is ready to see some fashion??
Me? My allergy medicine is kicking in, making my energy low hahah. So it’s good we have this going.
Pieces all hand crafted and sustainable. Preloved fabrics designed for style and comfort.
- Without further ado. Let’s start the fashion show.
(PS: It was so hard to take notes, take photos, AND take videos - so, I did my best for this next section)
1st: Timeless beauty lilac.
2nd: Next, the graceful dog. Amazing outfit. Pastel rainbow train/trailing veil
3rd: Next song “too sexy”. Romantic effortlessness Tobias in a pastel pink tux.
One dog in the audience is absolutely shaking and its owner is holding onto it tight. This dog is having an anxiety attack.
4th: Next is enchanting and light shimmer Elsa dress. Sparkling like starlight (literally it has lights built into the dress!!!)
5th: Peaches in the red shimmering outfit. This girl is on fire.
6th: The champ is here. A pro show dog? Striking fusion of gold and emerald. Commanding attention. And shoes!!! Champion’s owner has a custom Champion shirt.
7th: Now it’s “girls just wanna have fun”. Omg cute hahah. Pink tail. Glamour that refuses to be ignored.
8th: Now it’s Britney Spears oops I did it again. Playful and chic. Fun flirty and sustainably bold. Denim. So happy. This dog loves being in the runway.
9th: Henry. Redefines classic menswear. All made of ties.
10th: Now is the elegant. This dog is more omgggg hahahahhhhsh this dogs haircut is amazing.
11th: Next dog was in purple and was in a carrier stroller the whole time before this. Saving its energy, I think.
12th: Barbie Dua Lipa song. Bold and regal
13th: Who let the dogs out. Blue sparkles and shine. Commands confidence.
lol so many of these descriptions are so funny. “commands confidence” - i want the job of writing dog fashion descriptions
14th: Grand finale. Omgggg. Feather crown hahahha and a trail. Like a bride
I realize as people take their time on the runway the audience appreciates it. Some rush through but some stop and take up time and take space. It’s actually nice and considerate to your audience to stop and pose. Eve in the encore of the gos.
Wow the dog fashion show lasted 30 min.
Thanks to the dog handlers putting up with divas backstage. Standing applause for the designers.
Development Director on stage.
Earlier, she was getting some liquid courage before having to walk the runway. I just quit drinking a decade ago, so when people say that, I internally think about how its not so necessary, just work on your courage intentionally. But what do I know?
Thanks for coming and supporting. Wonderful, unique event. Impressed and appreciative. 22nd year for the nonprofit. Would be nice if Old Dog Haven didn’t have to exist. Takes and pulls seniors from shelters. Mostly not get adopted cause of age and health. Expenses associated with
Omg dog fight in the back. Hahha. Minor, just barking.
So this charity helps find forever foster homes and pays for all expenses. For medical care.
- 302 dogs in forever foster program. You open your home to a senior dog and the cover all the expenses forever. Medical. You just provide love fun and comfort and make golden years as golden as they can be.
This is her family’s 11th foster dog. 1 month was the shortest and 5 years was the longest.
The alternative is dire.
Yeah, honestly dog shelters terrify me and can be EXTREMELY EXTREMELY EXTREME corrupt and horrible.
You guys know what a shelter life ends up to be. Thanks to your support. Never thought she’d be in a ball gown. Showing seniors the love they deserve. Thank you so much. Learn about becoming a forever foster. Never regret it. Rewarding and wonderful. Enjoy. Thank you.
Lots of people have portable water fountains and water bowls for their dogs in the audience.
Let’s raise funds to support these dogs. To be in forever foster to live out rest of years win the beach and ice cream.
Now this will be a raise the paw segment. This is the auction.
Write the name of a furry friend you want to honor for your donations. Write your favorite dog or pet from a tv show. Write their name and write it on the paper and then they’ll do a photo op.
Let’s get everyone together to have a video cheering and then photo op.
I’m so “over” staged photos like that. Just I so much prefer authenticity. Maybe the framing could be better so I’d be a fan. Idk.
Now different levels to donate. We will call out the pets name to honor it for the donations. Scan the WR code and make the donation on the spot.
- Start at $500. Anyone want to donate more than $500?
$500 full dental cleaning. Anyone? 2 people. Omg even the girl whose dog was shaking the whole time. Wow wait 4 people. A girl my age donating $500. Wow. What is her job?? LOL.
$250 blood work. Full exam and assessment. Now 3 people.
$100 pays for spay or neutering. 3 people. Up to $3000 so far. No, 4 people. Wow. 5 people.
$50 level. Contribution for importantvacinnations 6 people. They’re at 3500 at least.
$25 level. Provides 1 month of flea, tick, and heart worm prevention. 1 person.
You can scan any time. All donations welcome. Support the nonprofit. Round of applause.
We’re 45 min past the start of the runway show. Was a full event. Now it’s open one more hour.
They have a few announcements. Applause for the bartender. And a special going on and all pets in the show have custom leashes. And a discount and special about the leashes
Big round of applause. All leashes local and loaned. Hand made. Beautiful and sturdy. Selling for 40% off and donating tonight. Thank you again. Thank you
Hahaha. This event is wild and cool. Dancing tonight hahahah. I love to dance.
Until next time, I wish you the motivation and success to search for opportunities around your area. Search and explore: Who is out there giving talks? There are new things happening all of the time.
Find relatable or interesting topics you like and check them out! Maybe even something hosted at a cool venue, if there’s no other reason to go. Let’s see what you can learn and discover not too far from home. 😊
