Overview
High fashion doesn't always mix with safety and practicality, but a new clothing line for New Zealand's dogs is set to change all that.
Yep, you read that right. Southern Cross Pet Insurance isn't exactly known for its role on the high street, but this month it's collaborated with US fashion designer Matthew Adams Dolan to create a high fashion, high-vis clothing range for the country's pooches, set to keep them safe and fabulous during night time walkies.
Called 'Vis: The Road Safety Collections', it's a range of pet-sized coats, jackets and jumpers all in neon hues that light up in the reflective glare of car lights. The Southern Cross team hopes it will help avoid tragic nighttime accidents — especially in these autumn and winter months which can make post-work walks tricky for dog owners.
If Dolan's name is unfamiliar to you, he's known for dressing celebs like Lady Gaga and Gigi Hadid, and really made headlines when Rhianna — yeah, that Rhianna — wore one of his signature oversized jackets. So yes, he has some clout in the fashion world.
But in a statement from Southern Cross, Dolan said he was stoked to create the clothing collection for Kiwi pups — partly due to his own status as a dog-parent.
"I was delighted to receive such an exciting brief — to save lives and be fashionable with it," he said. He said some owners will go for the "full couture look", while others might just go for a casual reflective bandana.
"To be safe, we just need our furbabies to be seen, but by all means let's make them look good too. Our next step may be better-looking road-safety gear for humans!"
And sorry to the rich and famous set, these are 'money can't buy' items. To get your paws on one of the pieces, you have to be a customer of the insurance provider. You can, however, bid in a Trade Me auction to win a bespoke piece for your pooch, with all profits from that auction going to Pet Refuge — a charity that helps save animals affected by domestic violence.
But remember, it's probably going to be a blessing and a curse: you'll need to step up your own walking garb now to keep up with Rex or Lulu.
The Trade Me auction for a bespoke piece from The Road Safety Collection will be live in early May. For more details about the collection and how to go in the draw to win a dog vest, sweater or bandana, go to Southern Cross' website.