STYLE MATTERS: Fashionistas put on the dog

By Judie Schwartz and Evelinda Urman, Special to the Rocky

Originally published 06:01 p.m., May 14, 2008
Updated 07:55 p.m., May 14, 2008

Photo By Steve Peterson / Special To The Rocky

Katie Flaherty, left, and Nancy Craine

Photo By Steve Peterson / Special To The Rocky

CW 2 reporter Chris Parente works it.

Photo By Steve Peterson / Special To The Rocky

Clockwise from left, Kathleen Kelble, Dr. Joseph and Anita Becky, Orlie Johnson and Kacee Traylor, 12, carrying Winston, a King Charles spaniel, attend the event.

Photo By Steve Peterson / Special To The Rocky

Mutts and Models co-chairs Mindy Nadler and Brandis Becky Pelletier.

Photo By Steve Peterson / Special To The Rocky

Tori Flammang, with her Maltese, Scout, hits the runway.

Evelinda: Not only are dogs considered man's best friend, they can also be man's and woman's best accessories.

After seeing the Mutts and Models Canine & Celebrity Fashion show on Saturday night, I wanted a toy poodle to cuddle, along with an expensive handbag. Or a retriever whose golden- colored coat matched my jewelry.

Judie: You got it, my little Chihuahua. Mutts and Models brought man and animal together in a perfect combination of fur and fashion.

We knew we were in for a very stylish evening when we saw event co-chairs Mindy Nadler in a gorgeous sleeveless green gown by Kay Unger New York and Brandis Becky Pelletier in trendy black leggings and a LaRok tunic top.

Now in its seventh year, the Mutts and Models fundraiser benefits Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, a program of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation. Harrison is Colorado's largest not-for-profit veterinary hospital.

Judie: The fundraiser boasted a James Bond theme. Our first clue: It was called "Diamonds are Fur-ever." Our second: Several men were wearing tuxedos.

Evelinda: The program welcomed us to a "brilliant evening for a 'pawsitively' good cause." The top sponsor table of eight was called Gr8 Dane. We think these give us permission to be as punny as we want in our review, so hang onto your leashes, stylish reader. This could hurt.

Judie: The crowd really knew how to put on the dog. The celebrity models looked gorgeous, in clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue's spring and summer collections - all very wearable.

"The clothes feature everything from tux and gowns to cocktail and elegant casual perfect for yachts, cruises and daily wear," says Cynthia Petrus, Saks public relations and fashion director.

The clothes matched the dogs and the dogs matched the models. Every dog had his day on the runway.

Some of our favorites:

* Harrison Hospital staff member Kristine Ryan looked lovely in a little apricot cocktail number by Armani. The coppery coat of her golden retriever, Remy, set off her dress perfectly.

* Molly Hughes swept onto the runway with her English bulldog, Rock Star, wearing a long black gown by St. John with a large flower at the shoulder - the same look we will see on Sarah Jessica Parker in the upcoming film Sex and the City.

* 103.5 The Fox radio personality Kathy Lee sashayed on the ramp in a short sundress with a flirty poufy skirt, embellished with navy blue and burgundy polka dots from Dolce & Gabbana's bridge line D&G. Her pug, Chopstix, appeared very comfortable in the limelight.

* Camp Bow Wow owner Heidi Flammang looked hot in a short cocktail dress with jeweled tunic collar by BCBG. She walked a Rottweiler named Rotty, a dog that was up for adoption. Her daughter, Tori Flammang, 12, also wore a BCBG dress in a knockout shade of pomegranate and carried her little Maltese, Scout.

Evelinda: Human fashion trends we spotted: Lots of black-and-white outfits and tops; short tunic-style dresses and bursts of color in dresses and tops. Wildly patterned dresses that are weighing down store racks were also in attendance.

The mutt and model pairs were styled by El Salon. Long hair, curled, straightened, poufed and moussed - and that was just the dogs. One dog even outshone the human bling with a flashy rhinestone ankle brace, which we thought was a great accessory, until its owner told us the bling was really a leg brace from OrthPets for animals who get stifle joint injuries.

Judie: Not only did the dogs look as good as the humans, they were a lot more patient. The fashion show started almost an hour late, and we were getting dog tired. At one point, we found ourselves backstage surrounded by a herd of dogs who had no compunction about drooling on us, sniffing us, poking us and putting snouts where snouts don't belong. Plus, a few of man's best friends were brazenly cultivating new relationships. At least that's what we thought all the licking and howling was about. Is this what they mean by dog eat dog?

Evelinda: By and large, owners kept their dogs in tow and in good moods by generously doling out doggie biscuits. Not so for Judie. At one point she got so doggedly antsy that I tried feeding her a doggie treat.

Judie: That's the last time Evelinda will try that or she'll be sporting her own rhinestone ankle brace.

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Woofs and Wags

* What: Seventh Annual Mutts and Models Canine & Celebrity Fashion Show

* Who: Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, a program of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation

* Co-chairs: Brandis Becky Pelletier and Mandy Nadler

* Sponsors: Camp Bow Wow, Wags & Menace Make a Difference Foundation

* Fashion show: Saks Fifth Avenue

* Money raised: $100,000

* People attended: 450

* Dogs attended: 45

* Celebrity spottings: Jake Schroeder, from rock band Opie Gone Bad; CBS 4 reporter Molly Hughes; CW 2 reporter Chris Parente; former Nuggets player Randall Mark; and 9News entertainment reporter Kirk Montgomery