Dog Eat Dog: Animal Couture with The Gourmand

This Sunday, a swarm of fashion industry insiders and their canine companions descended upon the Ace Hotel Shoreditch for The Gourmand's inaugural Dog Eat Dog fashion show.

From PR guru Mandi Lennard's manicured Yorkie ("it was between the Louis and her Chanel hoodie") to custom-made Ally Cappelino on a Bedlington Lurcher, it was a serious affair. The creative director of Ziad Ghanem had rushed back from Paris couture to create a bejewelled cape for a spaniel, to match her owner's Erdem dress ("she wouldn't wear anyone else"). One of Tom Ford's menswear designers had constructed a collar for her Cockerpoo. Competition was fierce; as The Gourmand Editor in Chief Marina Tweed explained, "we spread the word through friends and focused on inviting people who work in the fashion industry to enter as we wanted it to be as much about the outfits as it was about the dogs."

Judged by Ally Capellino's Alison Lloyd, Vogue's Laura Weir, The Gourmand Creative Director Dave Lane and Brix Smith Start (whose dog has been the star of three Mulberry fashion shows), the clothes were definitely the focus of the occasion – dogs were entered in categories of Tailoring, Sports Luxe, Couture and Accessories. But, much to the wrath of those who had focused on high-end leathers and designer names, it was Lola the clown who was crowned best in show.

Lola was a firm favourite (she has visited AnOther HQ on numerous occassions and won our hearts). Pippin [and owner Brydie Perkins] also caught the eye of AnOthermag.com editor Laura Bradley – "the grey on grey on grey was standout. Varying textures; wide trousers with a frayed hem; a scruffy dog. Brilliant, understated chic. The Céline of the entrants." Others may have given it to the woman who wore a ring inlaid with her dog's baby tooth, just for her sheer dedication to pet ownership.

"The grey on grey on grey was standout. Varying textures; wide trousers with a frayed hem; a scruffy dog. Brilliant, understated chic" — Laura Bradley

"I feel a void now it's over so hope to make Dog Eat Dog an annual affair," Tweed told us.

Words by Olivia Singer