Woof, Woof! Reality-Show Riff-Raff Enjoy a Fashion Show for Fido
During a canine-centric fashion show featuring doggie designs by Oscar de la Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Bouwer and others, Olympic fencers Tim Morehouse and Jason Rogers clanged foils down the catwalk, and members of the National Dance Institute performed a swing routine (one miniature collie barked along to the music). Gossip Girl’s Matthew Settle snapped pics on his iPhone. Broadway stars Stephanie Block and Sasha Allen strutted the catwalk holding Yorkies, and American ballet legend Jacques D’Amboise fox-trotted with art collector Valerie Diker, holding shorthaired dachsunds Razzle Dazzle and Handsome Rascal. American Idol finalist Jamar Rogers sang, holding a squirming Lucky, Animal Fair founder Wendy Diamond’s dog.
“I love dogs—they don’t talk back!†Real Housewife Ramona Singer joked to the Transom. She was wearing a Rebecca Taylor floor-length dress that matched the outfit of her Shih Tzu, Coco. “I’ve had this dog for four years, and she’s just like a person! She’s my second child.â€
Real Housewife Jill Zarin carried her tiny Chihuahua, whose red neckerchief matched her gown, and America’s Next Top Model Jaslene Gonzalez and her Chihuahua wore Nina Ricci.
Not all the pups in attendance were pint-size. Karina Smirnoff of Dancing With the Stars showed off her pit bull, and Orange County Choppers co-founder Paul Teutul Sr. brought his 10-year-old bull mastiff, Gus. “This is the love of my life,†Mr. Teutul said, patting Gus on the head. Gus, who wore an Orange County T-shirt like Mr. Teutul, drooled in agreement.
Animal rights activist Frances Hayward was also present. “I’m very involved with the Humane Society in the United States,†Ms. Hayward told the Transom, while holding Hadley, a Mi-Ki. “I’m also very passionate about ending dog fighting.â€
Meanwhile, NYC Prep’s Kelli Tomashoff, who bid a tearful goodbye to family pooch Lily on the show, gushed to the Transom,: “I have a new puppy named Milly!†She added, perhaps pointedly, considering the recent goings-on of castmate PC Peterson: “I like to do things like this—it’s definitely something I’d rather do than go to a club!â€