New York Fashion Week took an adorably unexpected turn this year, thanks to designers Susan Alexandra and Rachel Antonoff, who brought a whimsical twist to the runway with their “Best in Show” dog fashion event. Hosted off-calendar on the first day of NYFW, this unique show not only showcased a delightful parade of well-dressed dogs but also highlighted the creative spirit of two beloved designers and their commitment to a great cause.
Months prior, designer Susan Korn, known for her beaded bag brand Susan Alexandra, approached me about casting my pug, Björk, in a fashion show she was planning with fellow designer Rachel Antonoff. The idea was to create a dog show, featuring shelter dogs dressed in stylish outfits. As a longtime friend, Korn had always seen the star potential in Björk, who had been a fixture in her Orchard Street store since she was a pup. However, as it turned out, Björk’s “people” (that’s me) were not quite the right fit for this particular show.
Korn explained that the event was dedicated to showcasing shelter dogs in need of homes, in partnership with Animal Haven and Muddy Paws. While Björk’s impeccable pedigree disqualified her from the runway, she was invited to attend as a guest—a role she embraced with her usual aloof charm.
The show drew a colorful cast of New York’s finest, including personalities like Alison Roman, Tavi Gevinson, Chris Fleming, and Sandra Bernhard. The attendees sported Rachel Antonoff’s quirky coats adorned with bow-tie pasta prints, while also holding beaded Susan Alexandra bags and walking their dogs with vibrantly beaded leashes from the designers’ new pet collection.
But it was the dogs who stole the spotlight. Dressed in leopard-print cowboy hats and shirts featuring iconic New York food items like the classic blue and white coffee cup and a pile of bagels, the dogs demonstrated that true style knows no species boundaries. The event was a parade of fashion and fun, with the four-legged models often outshining their human counterparts.
Rachel Antonoff described the show as “profoundly memorable, deranged and moving,” envisioning it as a blend of heaven and hell with a chic twist. The experience left attendees feeling as though they had glimpsed the pearly gates of fashion paradise. One guest even remarked that the show encapsulated exactly what they hoped to see in their afterlife—an amusing yet heartfelt testament to the event’s impact.
The show perfectly captured the essence of New York’s fashion scene: a blend of irreverence, humor, and creativity. Susan Alexandra and Rachel Antonoff’s playful take on high fashion, combined with their support for animal shelters, showcased a side of NYFW that’s often overshadowed by more traditional runway shows.
Both designers are known for their distinctive POV and sense of humor, which resonated throughout the event. Their collaboration on this dog fashion show not only entertained but also served a greater purpose by promoting pet adoption and celebrating the joy that pets bring into our lives.
In a year when some argue that New York Fashion Week has “gone to the dogs,” Susan Alexandra and Rachel Antonoff proved that if that’s the case, then it’s a trend worth embracing. With bedazzled accessories, food-themed clothing, and actual dogs taking center stage, the event was a testament to the fact that fashion can be both fun and meaningful.
