Fashion 88 : Canine Couture: A New Trend in Paris?

In the fashion capital of the world, Marie Poirier has found a niche that also caters to another French passion--the poodles, terriers and other pooches that ride the subway, stroll the Champs Elysees and frequent some of the world’s finest restaurants.

A trend setter in canine fashion, Poirier specializes in designing outfits for dog and master who enjoy dressing alike in stylish raincoats, matching ski parkas or identical faux furs.

“Everything I create for dogs follows the latest fashion trends,” Poirier says of the embroidered collars, custom-tailored rain slickers, parkas and designer sweaters displayed in the Dog Boutique, one of her two Paris shops.

Must Be Comfortable

“But I also make sure that whatever I create is in good taste and comfortable for the dog.”

Her 150-franc ($25) set of four snow boots--not available for masters--protects the wearer’s paws from salt used to melt winter’s snow and ice.

Poirier says business is booming, hardly a surprise in a city that offers dogs plenty of opportunity to show off their style.

Poodles peek their heads out of travel bags on the metro, basset hounds bask in the sun at outdoor cafes, and Yorkshire terriers are led into the chicest of restaurants, where they are assigned floor space alongside their masters’ tables.

Motorcyclists pack small dogs in leather cases under the steering columns of their bikes. Hotels often quote a rate for dogs.

Canine life does involve a few constraints, especially in the crowded capital, where an estimated 300,000 dogs coexist with 2.1 million people.

Parisian dogs are supposed to be trained from puppyhood to use the gutter for waste deposits, a practice that received official backing seven years ago during a one-year, citywide “Teach Him the Gutter” campaign. Violators can be fined 600 francs ($100), but the law is rarely enforced.

A squadron of 80 municipal pooper-scoopers rides alongside the city’s 1,550 miles of sidewalk on motorcycles with vacuum devices to clear the gutters.

Poirier claims she is the city’s only high-fashion designer for dogs.

“Of course there are plenty of other shops that sell articles of clothing, but many are imported. They don’t custom-design their own styles.”

The owner of three dogs and two cats of her own, Poirier said her work began as a labor of love.

“I looked around . . . and realized that certain dogs, such as long-haired Yorkshires, were prisoners of the snow or rain, because it messes up their coats and then makes a mess in the home.”

She says she has turned down a few requests as too extravagant, such as a pair of real fur coats for pet and master and a punky dog suit trimmed with nails.

Periodic Updates

Poirier updates her styles every six months. Rain coats, dress coats and parkas range from $30 to $75. Hand-knit sweaters sell for $33 to $66, and dog carry bags go for $46 to $200.

For the dog who has everything, Poirier also sells toothpaste for $4 and canine eau de cologne --available in both feminine and masculine scents--for $16.50.

Poirier says business is so good that she plans to open a third, larger shop next year.

“Who knows? Maybe some day I’ll sell my products in the United States,” she said. “I bet jogging suits for dogs would be popular there. I tried them here, but people just didn’t consider them practical enough.”