Imagine my near, pants-wetting levels of excitement when I was asked to judge the Paw Pageant at Spitalfields Market last Monday in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. For the second year in a row, the coolest canines came from far and wide to compete for fame, glory and mostly for treats…….but also for GLORY damn it!
The atmosphere was abuzz as the day kicked off with a catwalk (eeeerrr dogwalk?) show from East London label – LoveMyDog. The crowd ooohhhh’d and aaaahhh’d as 17 delightful dogs from Great Danes to Dachshunds strutted their stuff in some super stylish threads including LoveMyDog’s Hoxton Tartan, Harris Tweed and even some classy headwear……nothing sets off an outfit like a deerstalker cap.
Backstage Shenanigans
Great Danes Bellamy and Puppy (father and son) wait patiently to get suited and booted
Dixie in her pink Pixley Tweed waiting for her big moment
Co-host of BBC London’s Barking at the Moon – Anna Webb and her pooch Molly
The two Frenchies Huxley and Rupert went on strike claiming they couldn’t go on without Champagne and cigarettes.
The Danes Bellamy and Puppy, ready for any weather in their Fisherman Macs
Keith (a la Richards) ready to rock n’ roll
The Show Must Go On!
After some hissy fits, torn up waivers and indiscriminate weeing (it was something like a Dior runway show I imagine), The LoveMyDog show kicked off with father and son duo Bellamy and Puppy. The Great Danes wowed the crowds with their walk (which was compared to Gisele’s), their lovely silver coats and of course their MASSIVE SIZE.
Host Robin whips the crowd into a tail chasing frenzy
Rabbit, Alfie and Buddy modelling the Wilmot knitwear collection
Alfie modelling the yellow Wilmot sweater
Miniature Schnauzer in Red Winkley Rain Mac
Jack Russell Buddy in his Appleby Harris Tweed Coat
Dixie in Pink Pixley Tweed Coat and Cap with matching doggy carrier
Rupert and Huxley in the Sidworth Tweed Collection…..finally got their champagne fix
Lenny in Spencer orange corduroy….with the worlds longest tongue
Molly in Yellow Spencer Corduroy and matching cap
Huggy in Green Crispin Corduroy Coat
The two Murphies in the Red Melton Wool coats
Lenny (and his tongue) in a Blue Swanfield Bandana
Rabbit in a bespoke creation only fitting for the finale
The Paw Pageant
The excitement was palpable as the crowd waited for the Paw Pageant to commence. With categories like ‘Best Bitch in the Ditch’ and ‘Dressed up to the K-Nine’s’, it was every dog for himself. Myself and my fellow judges – Anna Webb co-host of BBC London’s Barking at the Moon along with Lilly and Lesley-Ann from LoveMyDog took our seats at the end of runway ready to be dazzled and amazed by the doggy talent on offer.
Here’s the best bits……………..
The Judges – Lesley-Ann, Lilly, Moi and Anna Webb (left-right)
Shitzu in the Dressed up to the K-9’s category as a Venitian Gondolier. Bellissimo!
Slightly reluctant Chihuahua competes in ‘Dressed up to the K-9’s’
Dixie
The Pearly King and Queen
My personal favourite – NINJA DOG!
A Royal Wedding – William, Kate and Pippa competing in the ‘Dead Ringer’ Category
Pomeranian competes in the ‘Best Show Off’ Category
Myriam and her four month old French Bulldog Pup Bidou who took home two prizes on the day
Molly has a kip while the judges deliberate
An Australian Shepherd competes for the title of ‘Best Bitch in the Ditch’
And finally………………………..
Two male dogs were joined in holy matrimony – How modern!
A great day was had by all, lots of money was raised for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and then we all lived happily ever after……….
The LoveMyDog collection is available online at www.lovemydog.co.uk
ST
Myriam
buuu you forgot to add Bidou the winner 🙁 (my french bulldog which won 1st prize as best male and 3rd with best ditch look (A dog that best represents the Shoreditch look)
here a link in the local newspaper
http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2012/08/prize-pooches-strut-their-stuff-at-the-old-spitalfields-market-at-pageant-in-honour-of-mans-best-dressed-friend/
Myri x
Sara
Hi Myriam – not sure how we missed you, we love Bidou! We’ve included a pic of you both above. Congratulations on your win!
ST x
Myriam
Awwww so cute! Thank you! 🙂
Bidou sends to you lots of kisses!! Now we can say that he become a celebrity :p Xx
Lenny Hems
I’m in your blog! I give you big licky kisses and thank you. It was a brilliant afternoon. X