They were dressed to the canines!
Four-legged fashionistas from across the borough headed to Freddy’s Bar in Park Slope to strut their stuff at the watering hole’s annual dog fashion show on Sunday. The event marked the cutting-edge debut of the latest trends in designer doggy duds, which have elevated the animals from man’s best friend to man’s best-dressed friend in the three years since Freddy’s Doggy Fashion Show first appeared on the scene, according to organizers.
“This year more than any, there was a lot of effort put into the fashion aspect,” said dog-fashion guru and Freddy’s co-owner Donald O’Finn. “There were a lot of great outfits.”
Thirty-two icons of canine couture went nose to butt on the Fifth Avenue dog-runway, battling for the event’s prestigious Xena Award, which takes its name from O’Finn’s beloved pit bull mix, who’s sad death inspired the renowned fashion show.
The prize ultimately went to Captain William Trigger of Ludlow, a first-time contender and yellow lab who swept the field with his western-inspired bull and rider costume.
Trigger, who has no previous experience modeling in his no-less-than 63 dog years on Earth, proved himself a natural on the runway and a true crowd-pleaser, according to his master.
“I think it just comes natural,” said Park Sloper Simon Nobel. “He likes the attention.”
Nobel, who described Trigger’s victory as “my life’s achievement” admitted that fame and fortune has gone to the lab’s head.
“He expects steak and caviar every night,” Nobel said.
Honorable mentions included Gregory, a Texas-born Brussels griffon whose prodigious underbite earned him “Best Smile,” and Fire, a saucy 10-year-old greyhound who judges named “Sexiest Dog.”
In addition to informing dog owners on the latest trends of the season, both pups and people had lots of fun, attendees said — which, at the end of the day, is almost as important as dog fashion.
“He loved it,” said Kensington resident Kat Perino, speaking for her Shih Tzu Xander. “So many people came up to pet him and take pictures. He loves that, so he had a great time.”
