Unleash the hottest fashions for pets – and people, too

Lake Oswego’s Suzanne Hein serves as a canine fashion show coordinator at Friday’s DoveLewis fundraiser – Boutiques Unleashed: Fashion for Both Ends of the Leash

By Nicole DeCosta

The Lake Oswego Review, Mar 12, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

To celebrate Portland’s Pet Fashion Week, Suzanne Hein — owner of Lake Oswego’s LexiDog Boutique and Social Club — plays dress up with her dog, Lexi. Hein will serve as canine fashion show coordinator at Boutiques Unleashed: Fashion for Both Ends of the Leash Friday night.

VERN UYETAKE / Lake Oswego Review

ADVERTISEMENTS

They’re ready to strut their stuff. Alterations are complete. Toes are manicured. Teeth brushed. The dressing room is brimming with high-end couturefor humans and hounds. It’s time for Boutiques Unleashed: Fashion for Both Ends of the Leash.

To celebrate Portland’s Pet Fashion Week, the popular pet and people fashion show benefitting DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital is ready to take to the runway in style Friday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m.

“I would say that it rivals fashion week In New York City. It’s very glamorous. And it’s just as crazy backstage,” said Suzanne Hein, canine fashion show coordinator and owner of Lake Oswego’s LexiDog Boutique and Social Club. “It adds a lot of elements of fun because you’re putting together a human model with a dog model and they don’t always know each other. It’s one of my favorite events.”

In its fourth year, the show raises money for DoveLewis’ free Pet Loss Support Program, designed to help people deal with grief after a pet dies. Hein said her friends have used the program before.

“They’re part of your family and sometimes you don’t always get the right ways to say goodbye,” Hein said of pets. “There are no other avenues out there for people who have lost their pet. It’s a lifesaver for people.”

And the professional fashion show is an entertaining way to raise money, celebrate the season’s fashions from local boutiques and show off metro-area pets.

“It’s just fun. It’s not meant to be too serious,” Hein said. “We’re just trying to have fun with the fact that you can have a lot of fun with your dog and fashion.”

Hein will label each outfit and dog as they check-in backstage, making sure the correct dog is with the correct human – and wearing the appropriate outfit.

1 | 2 Next Page >>