I never thought in a million years that I’d be that person. You know, the chick with
the too-cute dressed-up ankle-biter dog. Ugh!
My family had rugged, active working dogs growing up,
and even with allergies I acquired later on in life, I was always more of a cat
person really. Then I met JoJo. Now I’m the unabashedly proud owner of a three-month
old Yorkshire Terrier, and yeah… I’m that
person.
I couldn’t help myself – I had to get JoJo a
wardrobe! In my quest to find the right couture, I was running into dead end. I
found a bunch of frilly, foo-foo stuff my grandma probably would have sewn for
him. No disrespect, my Grandma was a helluva seamstress, but let’s keep it
real. My dog lives in the heart of Harlem, I’m a Hip-Hop head, and I can’t have
my studly dog wearing pink bows and frilly dresses (even if he only weighs 3.1
pounds). Besides, pink is so 2003 in Harlem fashion!
Any of you with any type of swagger and pride in
your pet understand my pain here. You wouldn’t want your pitbull Roscoe sporting
a tutu would you?
By chance, I stumbled upon BitchNewYork.com – a site
that has more doggy bling and Hip-Hop inspired dog couture than I could even
image. I won’t pretend that it’s for everyone – it’s called “couture” for a
reason. Specialized and name brand clothing, beds, furniture, collars,
carriers, grooming products can cost a pretty penny, but I figure if I can blow
money on sneakers like I do, my dog can look good too!
B#### New York President Stacy Braverman (also
known as Phoenix) took some time to talk to us about the concepts behind the
company, the high demand for Hip-Hop friendly accessories, and even some
sensitive subjects like muzzling and dog fighting.
AllHipHop.com: When did you start your company,
and what inspired you to get into the doggy couture business?
Stacy Braverman: I started researching the market
in 2004. I had just gotten my first small dog, and was very excited to be able
to dress her up and take her out. The first thing I wanted to do was bling out
her collar with her name, Lola. I had such a hard time finding really nice
collars and clothing that I decided to make it myself.
It didn’t take me long to see that manufacturing
was not for me, so I decided to look into creating my own website. It took me
over a year to put together what I thought was the best of the best in doggie
couture. I launched the site in the late summer of ’06, and the rest is B####
New York history!
AllHipHop.com: You carry a lot of Hip-Hop friendly
clothing for dogs, more so than any other retail outlets. Did you go after that
market intentionally?
Stacy: I didn’t actually pick the market as much
as I just tried to choose the products that appealed to me. It just so happens
that Hip-Hop must be my style! I think that part of the target market was to be
celebrities, and many of them are Hip-Hop stars. Those are the people who will
go over the top for their animals. So that market is just a perfect fit for me.
AllHipHop.com: We know that pitbulls and other
large breeds are very popular within the Hip-Hop community. Do you have [more]
people buying the clothing/bling for little dogs? What is the trend you see?
Stacy: Yes, definitely. Most people don’t even
know that there is clothing for big dogs as well. We have a section of the
website dedicated to big dog sizes just for that reason. The small dogs really
need the clothing more for comfort in the colder weather, so if you are going
to buy a t-shirt for your dog, why not pick something that makes a statement?
The rhinestone skull and crossbones was the trend of the season. Everything
from charms to jackets had some version of that design, even for girls. Bling
is always in – diamonds never go out of style!
AllHipHop.com: It’s been said that wearing dog
couture can result in self esteem boosts in puppies. Do you agree with that?
Stacy: My second dog is named Winston. He
immediately became a prince. He is the alpha male in the pack. He is the one
who loves to get dressed out of all my dogs. So maybe it is a self esteem
boost. Generally, when people have a little dog, they tend to take it out with
them more. Logically, that is when the dog would be dressed. I think that they
soon realize that clothes mean time out of the house and time spent alone with
mommy or daddy. So maybe that is the reason he stands at his armoire and taps
his foot.
AllHipHop.com: I see a horrific amount of people
in New York using either spiked collars (which dig into the dog’s skin) or
regular collars/harnasses (the dogs drag the owner). Can you speak on the
importance of finding the right collar for your dog?
Stacy: Honestly, I just don’t like the look of
those spiked collars and could never use one. I am told that the premise is
that a mild pressure is distributed evenly around the neck so there is no pain
or injury. They are supposed to be very effective for dogs that have a thick
neck or who are very powerful. However, this should not be used for a dog that
pulls or lunges.
With the traditional choke collar, there is
actually more of a chance of choking your dog and causing throat and neck
injuries. I think that the best method is to hire an experienced trainer to get
your dog used to the training process, and teach you how to effectively handle your dog on a leash.
AllHipHop.com: How do you feel about muzzling a
dog for any reason?
Stacy: I think that there is a time and a place
for everything.The safety of the people around you has to be of utmost
importance. There are dogs that will bite if they perceive danger and there may
be times that dogs need to be muzzled (like at the vet!).
The problem with all of these training tools
(muzzles, choke collars) is misuse by owners. I really believe that dogs need
to be trained. They need to be taught right from wrong and what you expect from
them in certain situations. Dogs that are trained will generally not need any
of these devices except in an emergency.
AllHipHop.com: Dog fighting has been in the news
quite a bit these days. Although it’s ages old and there are a lot of people
who do it, there has been a lot of media association with Hip-Hop and sports
figures lately. What are your thoughts on the recent situations with Michael
Vick, DMX, Roy Jones, etc? Do you think they are being made examples of by the
justice system and/or media?
Stacy: In the U.S., dogfighting is considered a
felony in every state except Wyoming and Idaho. I think that celebrities and
sports figures have to be very careful about how they conduct their lives. They
are in the public eye, and are very often the role models for our children.
I have five dogs, and sometimes two of them will
get into a fight over a dog bone and really get into it. I tell my children to
stay away from them when it happens, but I will risk my own safety to stop it
because it is heartbreaking. I can’t begin to imagine anyone actually staging
that as an event to bet money on or to view for pleasure.
AllHipHop.com: On a lighter note, what are your
thoughts on people dying their dog’s fur or painting their nails as a fashion
statement? Is dying a dog’s fur very safe for them?
Stacy: I go to trade shows for the Pet Product
Industry all the time, and there are always dogs walking around with their fur
dyed. This is done with special dye that is non-toxic and made specifically for
dogs. Do not ever use human hair dye on your dog. Pet Esthe has a line of fur
dye and nail polish for dogs.
I think that the same theory would apply to this
as for the clothes…if you spend time with your dog, whether you are taking
him for a walk or polishing her nails, your dog is happy. As long as it is safe
for the dog, no harm done in a little color if it makes you and your dog happy.
AllHipHop.com: Are there any particular breeds
more in need of extra clothing over their fur when it’s cold out? What are the
best pieces of clothing to actually keep your dog warm without making them
uncomfortable?
Stacy: “Small
dogs and delicate breeds with thin single coats may need additional protection
from the winter rain and cold.”
That is straight from a book writtenby a vet. I think that a nice sweater or jacket is staple in a doggie armoire.
If you walk your dog and it is raining, a raincoat will keep the dog dry and
comfortable. Booties are also helpful if the dog is walking in the street to
protect their paws from “snow melt” and general debris. I carry my
dogs, but they still wear something to keep them warm and I gauge it by the
temperature. Something with a hood helps when it is windy or chilly and it
looks cute too.
AllHipHop.com: What are some of the best selling
items you’ve had for the Hip-Hop dog?
Stacy: Bling is the big favorite. It is on
everything from hanging collar charms to custom made dog beds by Urban Bone
that we can “bling out” as little or as much as you like. Like I said
earlier, the skull and crossbone designs are a hit. The t-shirts that have
sayings like “I’ve got 99 problems but a b#### ain’t one” are also a
favorite.
We sell products by Ed Hardy whose signature is tattoo
inspired designs. Those types of designs are done on beds and clothing too.
Personalized dog collars with names like “Snoop Dog” or
“B####” and “Stud” in crystals are always the rage.
AllHipHop.com: What are some of your personal
favorite items right now?
Stacy: I just got a line of dog leashes that are
made from Genuine Brass Knuckles and covered in Swarovski crystals. I got one,
and I think that it’s going to be the hit of the dog park – if not “the
talk of the town.”
We also have the greatest designer collars from
Paris that are so unique, and a lot of them have that Hip-Hop edginess that I
love! We even have a new line of safety collars that flash neon patterns in the
dark that are best I’ve seen. We do a lot of custom clothing work, so if you
want it and you don’t see it – we can make it – as long as you’re willing to
pay for it!