Puppy Love, Tracye Hutchins & Doggies on the Catwalk

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e vincent martinez and tracye hutchins doggies on the catwalk

This is not her first 'catwalk!' 

Tracye Hutchins, the evening anchor on CBS 46 is no stranger to Doggies on the Catwalk. Tracye first came onboard in 2010. At the time, she was the host of CBS Better Mornings and I was teaching at Grady High School. One of my student designers created Tracye's dress for the 3rd annual Doggies on the Catwalk. That year, Georgia Public Broadcasting produced the event as an hour-long GPB special. It was an amazing experience, though truth be told, I'm glad to have my show back.

Since then (2010) Tracye has been involved with Doggies on the Catwalk almost every year. She told me that she looks for that modeling invitation every year... it'll keep coming! 

Last Friday, I met up with Tracye at the Canine Assistants farm - 18 acres of beautiful land in Milton, Georgia with horses, ponies, goats and of course, doggies - lots of them!

Tracye called Grace at Canine Assistants to set up the tour. She wanted to meet the doggies and learn more about the important work they do and life-saving services they provide. Tracye and I were love stricken by the puppies. There was a 3 week old litter that just melt our hearts.

Styling Tracye in an amazing frock from The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is the easy part... deciding which doggie will be her modeling partner will be the challenge. She loved them ALL!

This is a slideshow of Tracye Hutchins through the year's at Doggies on the Catwalk:

Come see Tracye walk in the 9th Annual Doggies on the Catwalk on June 4th! Support Tracye and cheer her on! Get your TICKETS!

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ALL About DOGGIES!

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It's been a week since we let the dogs out... some of the best dressed dogs mind you! The 5th Annual Doggies on the Catwalk took a big bite out of fashion as it reinvented itself into one of the most fun-filled, high energy, upscale events in the city. 

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Hosted at Room & Board in West Midtown, guests were greeted with a champagne and a smile as they walked down a green astro turf carpet.

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Former and current models, Cartier's Marian Goldberg and 11Alive's Evelyn Mims.

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Red paw print decals lined the 200+ft 'catwalk.'

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Rick Butgereit and his cheerleaders showed their support for doggie model Barnabus who had to step out of the show - doctor's orders!

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Beautifully representing the Greenroom Agency, TQ and Nat Brown.

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Coming all the way from down under, Veronica Best and Don Farrow. With them, wearing my favorite color, Meg Reggie of MRPR.

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On the left, model Harriet Leibowitz in a pre-show cuddle with former Doggie's model, MetroFresh owner, Mitchell Anderson.

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It was a family affair... my mother, sisters, niece, nephews, you get the idea, were all at my show... Pictured with my sister, Maria Laracuente is my high school buddy of 30+ years, Gil Guillama. Cubans, we stick together.

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Body Medical's Heather Hohweiler and Modern Luxury's Lisa Rayner know what to do when there's a camera in the room!

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A tender moment with PALS Executive Director Kevin Bryant as he shared a couple of client stories with guests. Vikki Locke and I just listened as we learned more of the reach and impact of this very special organization. Visit the PALS

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Author & Motivational Speaker Coy Wire. Meg Reggie.

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This is one of my favorite pictures. A good time with Peter Hutzel and new RHOA cast member, Nicole Porche.

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Peter Thomas, Cynthia Bailey and my Pucci wearing poochee, Simone.

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Naomi Mann and Eventologie's April Trigg. April modeled alongside her husband Jon and their dog Tucker. I have to sing April's praises whose Eventologie support, her love for animals and our friendship was an instrumental in the Doggies on the Catwalk make-over. She has been with me every step of the way and was as invested and passionate about Doggies as I was.

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Jenn Hobby and Carolina.

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John and Monica Pearson and my mom, Vickie.

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CBS Better Mornings Anchor and former Doggies model, Tracye Hutchins.

It takes nearly a full year to plan this show. In fact, I've already started securing celebrity models for the next one.

Putting together an event like Doggies on the Catwalk is indeed a team effort. Sponsors like Meg Reggie who handles all the pr and April Trigg's incredible planning magic combine to make sure everyone knows about Doggies and has a good time. Thanks to Room & Board for the swanky venue and Active Lighting for their technical strong arm. Tootsies, Bill Hallman and Cathleen Smith's Highbrow Hound rocked the runway catwalk while Piedmont Bark managed all the doggies backstage, many sporting custom collars and leashes by Savannah Tails. The Bailey Agency- School of Fashion provided beautiful models and Carter Barnes made sure every model looked sensational!

Ambiance is a key element to a successful event. My big thanks to Dennis Dean Catering, Voli Vodka, Cameron Hughes Wines, Vitamin Water and DJ Vicki Powell whose combined contributions made for a tail-waggin' good time!

Brave PR, Premier PR, Sara Mixon of Tootsies, Catwalk Productions and Scott Reeves Photography - Thank you!!

Pets Are Loving Support provides an important service to Atlantans so thanks to all of YOU for the love and support.

See you next year!

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CBS Better Mornings Gets Edgy in Atlanta

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Move over networks, CBS's Better Mornings Atlanta has an edge on you!
Next week, Atlantans will be greeted on highways throughout the city by this image in billboard size, making the morning and evening commutes a bit more interesting. What a way to warm up winter! Now that's what I call HOTlanta! The promo is part of a large marketing campaign by CBS & BMA to grow the network's image in a forward thinking way and expand their viewer demographics. Kudos to CBS for getting "it" and understanding how to take risks.  
Co-anchor (and BMA hottie) Brandon Rudat feels great about the promotional campaign. He's had to hide [his] ink for a long time and gives a lot of credit to the CBS promotions department for thinking outside the box. Brandon says: "Every station in the news market looks the same. We want to be different. We cover hard news, but at the same time, we obviously have personalities to make people laugh. Sometimes, we never know what's going to happen that day on set. But, I think, thats what keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. You have to give people a reason to tune in, and sometimes, just being different works!"
Amen to that!
CBS rolls out the Better Mornings Atlanta marketing campaign locally, on the same date that nationally, The Early Show introduces their new team. January 3rd - a big day for CBS! Watch the BMA team do their thing (as I do) every morning, M-F starting at 4:30am on CBS.
PS. Tracye & Jennifer look pretty fierce too!

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