Over 1,000 attendees visited the fourth annual Pet Fashion Week NY over the weekend of August 22nd and 23rd. The event held at The Metropolitan Pavilion in the heart of Manhattan’s Chelsea section has become a favorite among pet industry professionals from both the U.S. and abroad. The 2009 edition featured products from 75 companies, with many of the companies attending PFW for the very first time. Companies traveled from 22 countries including France, the Netherlands as well as Brazil and Venezuela to be in attendance and interact with what has become recognized as the industry’s most sophisticated buyer base.
As in past year’s media outlets from across the globe flocked to the city to view the latest pet industry trends. For 2009 over 100 media outlets attended the event ranging from television to print and everything in between. Among the more notable outlets were TV Presse Productions (France), Univision (Latin America), The NY Daily News and The Martha Stewart Show. PFW’s vast media coverage is what’s made it popular with both new companies looking to gain exposure as well veteran companies looking to launch new product lines.
“Styling for Charity” showcased model dogs groomed by some of the world’s top pet stylists and featured in a silent auction with all proceeds benefitting the Mayor’s Alliance. Among the designs was a tribute to Beau, the Portuguese Water Dog recently adopted by the newly elected first family. The replica was groomed by Jonathan David, runner up on season one of Animal Planet’s hit show “Groomer Has It”. The silent auction brought in many generous donations with winners taking home their favorite designs. Known for being the premiere design platform within the industry Pet Fashion Week NY offered an installation featuring student designs from New York City’s own Fashion Institute of Technology. The installation contained products ranging from apparel to pet bedding and gave attendees a look at the future pet industry designers of tomorrow. FIT has recently added a pet product design and marketing segment to it curriculum and was more than proud to be showcasing several of its students’ top designs.
Since its inception Pet Fashion Week NY has earned the reputation of possessing one of the more business ready buyer groups within the industry. According to Charisa Antigua, CEO Oscar Newman LLC: ‘Pet Fashion Week has always proven to be a strong show for us, and this year was no exception. We launched our new organic product line, and we received incredible feedback and generated a lot of orders for the new product. We will look forward to Pet Fashion Week 2010.’ For more information please visit www.petfashionweek.com or call 401-331-5073.
Organizer: Mario DiFante, a renowned pet industry advocate and innovator brings nearly 40 years of experience and expertise to Pet Fashion Week NY.