Urban Elegance, The New Collection

With summer around the corner it is time to launch a lighter collection. I am so excited. Warm weather means dogs go more places and are seen more often. When I sat down at the sketch board to design my newest collection - Urban Elegance, these are the considerations I had in mind.

Phantom Harness, Lexi Harness and New York Harness

1) A dog wears his fashion for the duration of their lifetime.  So each piece is an investment and it should be durable, functional and beautiful.  I also added season-less to the bowl!

The Kenzo Set (Harness and Belly Band)

2) Many countries are not yet into Dog Clothing per se. With that in mind, I will design great harnesses and Couture Carriers.

The Phantom Tote Bag and Matching Harness

3)  The social dog goes places, attends events blends in with people and therefore, I would like for their style to represent their owners and pair up with human fashion so there is no clash!

After putting these three major points on my visual board, I sat down armed with charcoal and colored pencils and began sketching away. The theme for this collection is the Urban Lifestyle. I am totally seduced by the upbeat elegance of Metropolitans.  Practical + Stule = Metro Elegant.

Dressing up for the city life means keeping accessories, details haute and investing in quality elements. I love how color is added to solid canvases.  I also love how color is washed and less vibrant so it travels through time.

So here's a toast, Cosmo of course, to my newest intense, uplifted, totally gorgeous Summer 2011Collection of Canine Couture.  On with the new.  Old ideals, new ideas!

Reinvent your Dog!

Kiki
info@kikihamann.com

The Phantom Tote and Matching Harness

This is a gorgeous tote, and you don't even have to have a dog to have it! Wish the pictures would do it justice so you could see the complexity of the design. It is made from three different black fabrics: A heavy matte brocade, a satiny thin stripped and a larger satiny striped as well. The fabrics are put together so best accentuate each one's properties. It is really beautiful! To this medley in black I have added two beautiful Lacey trims for yet more texture, they frame the fabric composition accentuating the differences.

It is from my new line Urban Elegance and it is all about the buzz of the city. Please notice how I play with the negative spaces in this brocade composition. Chains add pizazz to the modern lines of the tote. It is black, it goes with every color. It is super!

The handles of the tote were planned so you can either carry it over your shoulder and have puppy next to you, or to carry it on your arm and stroll around showing it off.

This tote also features two side pockets for your sunglasses, wallet, leashes, cell phones, keys, etc. It comes with a light weight safety chain that can easily be clipped to the back of a harness.

A matching harness makes it just city perfect!

I have created The Tote for all the dogs that understand their royalty status. Yes, they like to be carried around (never ever left behind), don’t really do well in leashes and demand comfort. I have also created it for the humans like me with a fondness for practical products that remain functional while being haute. This handbag is all of the above and then some. It is hop in-hop out practical and always ready to go.

It is all about the details!

I spent a long time designing this tote. It had to be perfect all the way. The perfect size, the perfect shape. I chose to give it an oval shape so doggie is as comfortable lying down as standing up. The bag sits right under your arm, so your baby feels secure and safe at all times and you have her / him right under your vigilant eye. It is light and feels very comfortable when you wear it over your shoulder.

The bag is engineered in four layers, which means a lot of sewing time, no short cuts and hours of hand stitching. On the other hand, this hard work translates into perfect shaping and durability.

Two large side pockets for your trinkets!

The inside of the tote is lined with a soft mattress, making great bedding on the go. The fuzzy lining can be pulled out for easy spot cleaning. A safety chain attached to a d-ring allows you to clip your baby to the handbag.

My goal for my new Totes is to bring the same couture treatment I have devoted to my garments into a practical, easy to handle carrier that loves going places and getting attention!

The Mad Hatter Harness

A couture harness for boys was way due and I had to deliver it! I do love creating for the little guys, as it seems to be very difficult to find high quality pieces other than tuxedos!





































Still in Wonderland, I searched for inspiration! and yes, the Tea Party is my favorite part of the story.. he was staring at me and screaming to be created! My own version of the Madhatter!
Permission to be mad! I closed my eyes and envisioned my own hatter...
A dash of Elton John, a little bit of David Bowie, something of Charles Chaplin and a lot of Kiki Hamann!
There is logic in this craziness!
The vest is made from Great black and golden Brocade to which i have sewn a strip of black suede.On the back of the vest, there are a few special items. A heart, stolen from the Queen Of Hearts herself and a teapot. One needs to be always ready for unexpected celebrations!
A pocket watch and an hour glass just to make sure time won't pass by unnoticed!
Beautiful ornate buttons are connected by a chain!O huge bow tie is made from satine shantung. It is over sized. I wouldn't have it any other way!
And for the hat...
the hat is done in beautiful black ribbon. Madhatter may be mad, but definitely a man of class and silver spoons! I have added diamonds and gemstones for extra glitz! A few teapots and coffee pots... and as for that Kiki unexpected touch... I incorporated the rabbit to his hat.

Wonders of wonderland.. there is no right or wrong, just different perceptions!

Please email me if you are interested in having a Madhatter set for your baby. Please keep in mind, the pieces and charms I use, are special findings. I will use different charms and findings on each outfit, but maintaining true to my own creation.

and on the mystical note...
I just had to share... my little girl, Nina, the model in these pictures is an amazing dog. I truly believe she captures my mind and my vision for each creation as she very obviously becomes the character I had in mind for each model. In this photo shooting, I was amazed to noticed that she even looks like my sketch... same expression!

I love my Madhatter!


www.kikihamann.com