Article by: Joel Goldsmith

Photos: Scott Reeves

For the third and biggest year yet, Doggies on the Catwalk will take place this Friday, January 15^th, unveiling original fashion designs for both pooch and person. Atlanta’s Grady High School and UrbanCouture, its fashion program, have teamed up with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) who will hold the event in their Atlanta studios located at 260 14^th Street.

Holly Firfer, Radio and Television Personality, is hosting the event and acting as a model. When asked about this year’s line up, she summed it up, “What do you get when you team up Grady High School's best student designers, a fantastic design teacher, and fun local celebrities? A night of good looking laughs for one of the best animal charities in Atlanta."

E. Vincent Martinez, Founder/Director of UrbanCouture, talked with me about how the event came to be. In 2007, as part of their instruction, UrbanCouture’s students watched New York’s Fashion Week. One segment featured fashion for pets and the idea for Doggies on the Catwalk was born. The event would not only showcase the talented students’ creative designs, but also serve as a fundraiser for P.A.L.S. (Pets Are Loving Support), which provides pet care and support to the pets of critically ill and disabled Atlanta residents.

Since the first year, the program has evolved and grown adding local celebrities as models wearing original fashion designs to accompany the fashion creations for the pets. This year the runway will feature celebrity models, each escorted by a fashion-forward man’s best friend, including:

Michele Caplinger - The Recording Academy, GRAMMY Foundation, Atlanta /Richie Arpino - Celebrity stylist / Frank Ski – V-103 FM Morning show / Kitsy Rose - KRPR / Catherine Dyer – Actress / Holly Firfer – CNN / Trayce Hutchins – WGCL’s Better Mornings Atlanta / Rob Marciano – CNN / Jen Mayerle – WGCL TV

For Friday’s gala, GPB has taken the program to a whole new level. In addition to providing their studios for the event, the program will be taped and then aired on GPB January 20^th at 8 pm and again January 24^th at 7pm. Footage will include runway coverage as well as interviews with the models and commentary by host Holly Firfer. With the help of GPB, this unique and fun event will be made available to a potential audience much larger than can be accommodated in its live setting.

Doggies on the Catwalk is a must attend event for anyone who loves fashion or dogs (or both). You can buy tickets online at www.seatyourself.biz. Of course, don’t forget to tune into GPB on January 20^th or 24th and watch the program!

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E. Vincent Martinez making his entry unto the runway for Doggies on the Catwalk. A proud moment.

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