Anthony Rubio’s Canine Couture NYFW show put pups in spotlight

An unusual set of New York Fashion Week models garnered a round of a-paws Saturday on the Lower East Side.

Anthony Rubio’s Spring/Summer 2024 Canine Couture women’s wear collection hit the runway at The Angel Orensanz Foundation, and while the human models were dazzling, the pups — and one cat — were the stars of the show.

In the world of NYC-born Rubio, “the humans are the accessories,” and that was evident in his 17th season NYFW show.

The canine models came from all walks of life, including shelters, rescue groups and social media stardom.

“The dogs love the attention and love to impress. Anthony designs with comfort and safety in mind. The dogs love his creations,” Rubio’s agent told The Post.


Designer Anthony Rubio closes the runway for Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
In the world of NYC-born Rubio, “the humans are the accessories.”
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City
The canine models came from all walks of life. Some were shelter and rescue dogs while others were social media influencers.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

Anthony Rubio closes the runway with Caroline Derpienski and Miles Nightingale
Rubio closes the runway with models Caroline Derpienski and Miles Nightingale.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

The animal catwalkers wore a variety of fashionable outfits, from jackets and capes to hats and glasses — which featured intricate detail, tulle and sparkles.

Some of the pups even wore similar colors to the women and men who accompanied them on the runway.

“Anthony says the easiest models to work with are the dogs because they never fuss or complain. Everyone loves Anthony’s artistry, and the world is enjoying Anthony Rubio Canine Couture,” his agent added.

The trained dogs took to the runway like seasoned professionals, some being walked on leashes and others being carried by their humans.

The audience was full of smiles and “awws” — one small dog on a leash did a little body shake on the way off, sparking much delight and laughter from onlookers.

Rubio ended the show by walking down the platform with his posh pooch, even doing a playful celebratory dance as the fun came to a close.


A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
One small dog on a leash did a little body shake on the way off, sparking much delight and laughter among audience members.
Manonce

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
A cat joined the dogs in Rubio’s show.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion
All the models, pups included, were stylishly dressed.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

Rubio, who is of Puerto Rican ancestry, grew up in Latin culture at a time of rebellion and expression in fashion, which inspired his colorful vision and helped him evolve into an in-demand designer.

Before Rubio got into the world of pet fashion and earned the esteemed title of “master pet couturier,” he studied women’s wear design at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.

He decided to change course after rescuing a Chihuahua mix from an abusive situation, his spokesperson told The Post.

Rubio created a jacket to make his new pet feel snug and less anxious — and it worked.


Caroline Derpienski walks the runway
Derpienski walks the runway wearing a two-piece Rubio design.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
As the pups made their way down the runway, onlookers were full of smiles and “awws.”
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion)
They were clearly the stars of the show.
Arun Nevader/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion

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A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
The dogs took to the runway like seasoned professionals, some being walked on leashes and others being carried by their humans.
Manonce

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
This was Rubio’s 17th season show during NYFW.
Manonce

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
Rubio studied women’s wear design at The Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tals Studio Zion Yoni Levy

“Many people were inquiring about his designs and before he knew it, his name had been floated around and inquiries from clients flooded his email,” the rep shared. “The rest, as they say, was history.”

Rubio went on to conceptualize canine couture, and he became known as the original pet couturier.

Owners can fill out a form on his website to place an order, and creations such as tuxedos and ballgowns start at $300 and have gone up to $10,000 — but that hefty price tag is not the norm, his agent noted.

The costly creation was for a “very special occasion” that called for weeks of hand-sewing thousands of Swarovski crystals, five different exclusive imported textiles and several interchangeable pieces — “not the norm and quite the challenge.”

“Anything couture requires not just precise fit but extreme attention to detail, the best textiles and incredible amounts of hours and days to achieve such an exclusive one-of-a-kind masterpiece,” the agent added.

In February 2012, he became the first pet fashion designer to show at NYFW.


A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023
He rescued a Chihuahua mix from an abusive situation and made the dog a jacket to feel less anxious, his spokesperson told The Post.
Tals Studio Zion Yoni Levy

A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
He went on to conceptualize canine couture and became known as the original pet couturier.
Manonce

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: A model walks the runway wearing Anthony Rubio during New York Fashion Week Powered by Art Hearts Fashion at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on September 09, 2023 in New York City.
He has even earned the esteemed title of “master pet couturier.”
Manonce

Rubio knew his new platform would allow him the opportunity to be the “voice for those who could not speak.”

He began to advocate for animal rescue, pet adoption and pet population control, and he has played a key role in raising over $4 million for a range of organizations — including his personal favorite, The Guide Dog Foundation.

“[Rubio] is proud of his flourishing and evolving pet design brand, but more so of the philanthropic work to save animals,” his spokesperson told The Post.