Project dog days: KATE TORRALBA
October 14, 2006 | 12:00am
Young fashion designer Kate Torralba loves Miu Miu.
Nope, that’s not the Prada line by Miuccia Prada, but the name of her one-and-a-half-year-old Fox Terrier. But okay, yes, Miu Miu was named after the Miuccia Prada Line.
"I have always liked the name Miu Miu for a dog. I promised myself that I would name my next dog Miu Miu. The name stuck and I think it’s very cute," said Kate.
Miu Miu is a real looker. Clean, white and with the most intelligent eyes – eyes that say he understands everything that’s going on.
Kate has been a dog lover forever. Growing up, she remembers that her mom didn’t allow her to have dogs inside the house. So, once she ventured into living alone, it was a dog companion that she sought.
"Living with a dog is different," added Kate. "I would sleep beside Pucci (her long-haired Jack Russell), bathe him and take him to the vet."
Pucci – yes, named after Emilio Pucci – died after he got run over by a car. That accident left Kate devastated. Kate recalled that she left Pucci with her family to puppy-sit as she was busy with her work. Pucci, ever the active dog, ran out of the family home gate.
Matter of fact, the first line of dog couture from Kate was called Walter Pucci. She made shirts and bags for dogs. But when Pucci died, so did the line. That was in 2004.
Miu Miu came into Kate’s life in September 2005. And she smiled as she looked at Miu Miu. "All of a sudden, my life as a Mom to Miu Miu started," she added.
"When did you start designing clothes for dogs?" we asked.
"Like my own work designing clothes for people, it started because I wanted to do it for myself and my loved ones," said Kate. "And when I had a dog I just started going crazy making clothes for him. Of course, when people started seeing something different, they wanted that, too."
Yes, the orders have started coming and yes, Kate is more than thrilled.
But, more than the orders, it’s the compliments Kate gets when she takes Miu Miu out for a stroll that make her day. Kate assured me that she would make outfits for any dog that came to see her. After all, these dogs are measured and she makes sure that no two doggy outfits are the same. Me & Miu by Kate Torralba is the ready-made line for dogs. Kate says that there are people who come to see her and need something right away.
Kate and Miu Miu both are always dressed when they go out and Miu Miu is so used to it. He doesn’t complain and he does get a lot of attention.
When designing clothes for dogs, Kate says that she usually works with the fabrics first. If it’s a cute print she makes funky shirts. But for special occasions, Kate believes that all dogs should have something special to wear.
"What kind of dogs do the people who come to you for clothes have?" we asked.
"Poodles are the most popular and then the Jack Russell and Chihuahua," quipped Kate.
"Most people come here for a terno. Although I do have customers who aren’t the type to dress up but they would love to see their dogs dressed up."
Recently Kate did a debut. The debutante had a toy poodle that she wanted dressed like her. So, Kate did just that. The debutante and her Poodle were dressed in leopard prints with velvet.
"Could you dress a dog to look like a cat?" we wondered aloud.
"Yes, I could," came the quick reply.
Kate can’t imagine her life without a dog. She is already shopping around for Miu Miu’s companion, whom she plans to name Missoni. "I will definitely get a female because I want to be a lola," she said. "I discovered that being around a pet brings out all these positive emotions in me. And it makes dealing with humans better. The non-pet owners don’t know what they are missing."
Miu Miu is not just a dog to Kate. He is her baby.
Kate knows that it sounds all too familiar but she says that owning a pet is a huge responsibility, not all fun. She had to make a lot of sacrifices when Miu Miu was growing up. "I made sure that I was there for that. And now I have a companion who just loves me unconditionally, regardless of what mood I am in or whether I look good or not."
Kate says that Miu Miu loves hugs, kisses, tummy rubs and eating. He also loves car rides and out-of-town trips. Kate makes sure that he gets all of those. The time spent together is time for talking. Miu Miu licks Kate’s face, a sign she takes to mean he understands her.
Kate also spoils Miu Miu. He has a chew toy shaped like a shoe, an Isaac Mizrahi chew toy. His most expensive piece of clothing is a Paul Smith collar. But Kate would not hesitate to get Miu an LV collar, too.
"You shouldn’t scrimp on the best things you can afford because these dogs are not just dogs, they are members of the family," added Kate. "They can give you so much joy if you just embrace being a dog owner. They deserve the best outfits, too."
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