Look Out The Fashion Shows Are Going To The Dogs

Canines Parade in Couture at FIT's First Pet Apparel Show

Eleven dogs sporting one-of-a-kind outfits will take the runway when the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) presents its first pet apparel fashion show, Bark Is The New Black, on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 to 6:30 pm in FIT's John E. Reeves Great Hall, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street.

(Vocus/PRWEB ) April 8, 2009 -- Eleven dogs sporting one-of-a-kind outfits will take the runway when the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) presents its first pet apparel fashion show, Bark Is The New Black, on Wednesday, April 22 from 5 to 6:30 pm in FIT's John E. Reeves Great Hall, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street.

The dogs will wear togs created by 20 designers enrolled in the Pet Product Design and Marketing Professional Development certificate program, offered by FIT's Center for Professional Studies (CPS). Pet accessories and pet lifestyle products will also be on display. At the show's conclusion, canines and humans will receive "doggy bags."

The pet apparel fashion show is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until April 14 at FIT, northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 27th Street, Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, Room 130. Non-participating dogs will not be admitted to the show, and flash photography is prohibited.

The show is produced by FIT students majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications (AMC), as part of their work for a Special Events Marketing Public Relations class. Linda Finnerty, assistant professor, AMC, said, "Students in our Special Events class typically produce a variety of educational events, including guest speaker panel discussions and career fairs for FIT students. Last spring, we helped produce the opening night after-party for a Broadway show. However, working with pets is a new and challenging experience for all of us. This event should be very entertaining and lots of fun."

Joan Volpe, director of CPS, said, "The fashion industry is constantly evolving, and pet apparel and related products represent a $40 billion industry that is proving to be comparatively recession-proof. This niche market requires talent, know-how, and skills commonly found in traditional fashion business segments. Our program provides training for designers wishing to enter this market."

The Pet Product Design and Marketing Professional Development certificate program consists of six non-credit courses, How to Get Your Pet Apparel and Product Concepts to Market, Fashion Design for Pet Apparel, Pet Accessories and Lifestyle Product Design, Quick Sketching for the Pet Product Business, Pet Accessory Design Studio, and Introduction to Pet Product Branding. Students receive a Pet Product Design and Marketing certificate upon completion of the program.

The Center for Professional Studies, a department in FIT's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, offers non-credit programs. These abbreviated courses of study provide comprehensive coverage of a particular career specialty or field and are geared toward industry-experienced individuals seeking career advancement or new possibilities.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is a selective college of art and design, business and technology of the State University of New York, with 44 majors leading to the AAS, BFA, BS, MA, and MPS degrees.
Visit www.fitnyc.edu.