Exclusive | Pets Show Their Stuff at NYFW Charity Show: ‘They Have Big Personalities’

Meow by the way, these dogs are renaming the parade to dog walking.

Elysian Impact held its second annual Furbaby Catwalk Fashion Show on Thursday, featuring over 20 models paired with stylish pooches wearing designer brands from Tommy Hilfiger to Nicole Miller.

“I’ve never walked a runway in my life, and now I’m doing it with a dog, which has a whole other set of challenges,” Kristin Thorne, an EyeWitness News reporter who was modeling for the day, told The Post.

Dressed in a white coat with a colorful cheetah print designed by Lev-I-Rosa, Thorne said she only had “a few minutes” to bond with Chester, a black and white dog from Animal Advocates of Barnwell County, before falling to the ground. track But as a dog mom, she knew giving Chester a sniff and a hug would help.

“I went with what his energy was, so if his energy was scared, I slowed down,” she said. “I reminded myself that this is not about me. It’s about it and wellness awareness.”

Organizations such as New York City Second Chance Rescue chose dogs to serve as models, such as Cattle dog mix Eunice and Donna Summer, a 3-year-old Great Pyrenees mix.

“We were looking for dogs that would love the spotlight and not get nervous on stage,” Katie McEntee, director of partnerships for the rescue group, told The Post. “They have very big personalities!”

Their team was so sure the hounds would kill the dog walk that they didn’t even train with them before the show.

“They did it on the fly today, so that shows how good of a model they are,” laughed McEntee. “Rescue dogs always step up to the challenge.”

For the second year, Elysian Impact paired designers, models, rescue animals and charities to raise proceeds for nonprofits that support animal welfare, such as Companion Animal Alliance, Animal Advocates of Barnwell County, Animal Ashram, Operation Kindness, NYC Second Possible Rescue, Spartanburg, Humane Rock and Dog Rescue.

Attendees were asked to cast their votes through donations for the couples they thought rocked the runway.

While each group was grateful for the contributions they received, they emphasized throughout the show which rescue dogs were also looking for a home.

Donna Summer, a stray dog ​​who stole her belongings modeling Plush, is still looking for her furry home. The 61-pound ball of fluff was found pregnant on the side of a road when she was rescued, and soon after, she gave birth to 11 beautiful babies.

However, Eunice, who was hit by a car before being rescued, impressed those in attendance so much that she left the event as an adopted dog.

Before the show began, many attendees were most excited to see the ensembles the dogs would wear. Lisa Blanco, co-founder of Second Chance Rescue, said the costumes are “the most exciting part.”

“I want to see all the dogs walking, it’s the cutest thing ever!” Pedro Alberto, director of the New York International Fashion Film Festival, told The Post.

Meanwhile, Maribel Liberman, founder of MarieBelle New York Chocolates and one of the event’s three judges, was scoring the modeling duo on their relationship.

“The love for the animal and the bond the owner has with the dog is important,” the mother of two told The Post. “The clothing is not important, it is the connection and the conversation between the owner and the dog.”

“It’s a show that has a lot of heart and soul, trying to raise a lot of money for a lot of important causes,” said Fern Mallis, former head of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, who returned this time to emcee the instead of a judge.

Mallis, who owns a black cat named Dimples, said she “couldn’t imagine my life without a pet. They bring so much joy, love and unconditional love into your life.”

Socialite and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff admitted she was nervous about walking the runway with her 55-pound rescue dog, Rosita, who she adopted from Antigua.

“It’s going to be a struggle because if she sees all the lights, she’s probably going to run away,” said Shafiroff, a board member for the New York Foundation for Women. “She is a very good dog, but she has a mind of her own.”

Despite her nerves, Shafiroff and the “Rosita diva,” both wearing gold-embellished gowns designed by 2024 Fashion Institute of Technology graduate Ashley Plasse, swept the runway with style and grace.

“I’m not a real model,” Shafiroff added, but she wishes “all the contestants, the dogs and everybody good luck because everybody’s a winner.”