Doggy Divas Hit the Runway in BARQUE’s Canine Couture Clothing

Last night, dogs hit the runway wearing designs from the hot new Chicago-based luxury collection, BARQUE. With music in the background and Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker emceeing the event, the dogs displayed 25 unique BARQUE designs.

The red carpet entrance to Top Dog Productions (1551 N. Kingsbury St., 312-642-4931) was lined with people, including WGN’s Marcus Leshock, awaiting the reveal of the BARQUE models and BARQUE creator, Gay Roberts.

Laughter and excitement filled the room as people watched the diva dogs strut their stuff for the crowd to see. Olga Honey Boo Boo, a miniature poodle, was a natural in her pastel striped sweater and kobi beige leather coat, while Bella, an English bull dog, shied away from all of the attention in her custom one-of-a-kind jacket. Muchacho was a crowd pleaser as he sported his Bad Doggy Denim. Zoe, a standard poodle, and three-pound teacup yorkie, Fergie, closed the show in their knockout, custom-designed runway outfits.

While watching the dogs, guests enjoyed “Rin Tin Tini” cocktails, light hors d’oeurves, “human-friendly” dog biscuits and “dog pound cake”, made by Kim Stanek, dog lover and executive sous chef at The Westin Chicago North Shore.

Gay Roberts, owner of BARQUE, began knitting sweaters for her dog, Fergie, and realized that dogs should never be seen in public without clothes. From there, Roberts, also a former New York Couture model and sportswear designer took her skills and combined her passion for fashion and dogs to create BARQUE.

BARQUE designs range from size 4 to 14, and retail for $50 to $250 each. BARQUE designs are available online at http://www.barque.biz/ or retail at Pawsh Puppies (2120 N. Halsted St.; 773-525-8608).

View the WGN and CBS segments below:

WGN segment

CBS segment

To see more pictures from the doggy runway show, click here.