The Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation

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doggies on the catwalk

We are excited to share some very BIG news with you. Doggies on the Catwalk is now a registered 501(c)3 and will operate as the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation. For ten years, we have passionately produced an event whose purpose was to raise and donate funds to a selected non-profit. As a foundation, we will be working year-round on raising and supplying funds to various organizations. Canine Assistants and Pets Are Loving Support (PALS) are among those foundations who stand behind our mission and values. We will continue to support them.

Our mission, through the use of the element of fashion, the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation will support the efforts of those making a difference in the lives of individuals living with disabilities and animals in need. It is also our mission to facilitate the career advancement of college students in fashion design programs through the Fashionado Fashion Fund coming in 2019.

The Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation is equally excited to announce that we are participating in Giving Tuesday on November 28th. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving to non-profits world wide. In Georgia, we refer to it as Ga Gives Day.

We all know of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and let's not forget about Shop Small Saturday, but please save a few dollars for us and the all charities you care about and show your support by making a donation on Giving Tuesday.

Vision

The vision of the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation is two-fold. We provide financial assistance to non-profit organizations whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals living with disabilities and other special needs, and to those organizations who provide safety and loving homes to animals in need. In addition to supporting non-profit organizations, the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation is committed to providing educational assistance through the form of scholarships for college level Fashion Design students.

Our Mission

Through the use of the element of fashion, the Doggies on the Catwalk Foundation supports the efforts of those making a difference in the lives of individuals living with disabilities and animals in need. It is also our mission to facilitate the career advancement of college students in fashion design programs through the Fashionado Fashion Fund.

Our Values

  • We value the importance of being an advocate for those living with disabilities and special needs. 

  • We value the power of the human-animal bond and support finding loving homes for pets in need and those in need of service animals.  

  • We value the desire for students to be able to follow their dreams of obtaining a higher education and for them to know financial assistance is not a barrier.

Our Goals

  • To supply funding for 501c 3 organizations which provide assistance to those living with disabilities and pets in need.

  • To award scholarships to deserving Fashion Design students through the Fashionado Scholarship Fund.

  • To partner with corporations, foundations and individuals who support and stand behind our mission and values.
  • To raise funds and awareness through the annual Doggies on the Catwalk event.

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Vincent + Vincent = Puppy Love

/ Canine Assistants/

On May 6th, 2017 I was surprised with a gift from Canine Assistants at the Doggies on the Catwalk event. I was presented with a 12-week old puppy, a future service dog, named Vincent. I was speechless and tearful. The thought that this puppy will grow up to serve others in need is a beautiful thing - the best gift ever. "Puppy Vincent" as he's called, was gifted to me in celebration and acknowledgment of ten years of philanthropy through my organization Doggies on the Catwalk. 

Puppy Vincent is growing very quickly so I wanted a visit with him before he "lost" his puppy looks! I went out to the Canine Assistants farm recently to spend an afternoon with Vincent. He is playful, adorable, curious, charming and full of puppy love and kisses. At his young age (about 6 months) puppy Vincent has already started his service dog education. He is learning to pick up objects and open cabinets. He puts on his puppy service vest and hits the mall weekly to get socialized and accustomed to public spaces.

Puppy Vincent will return to the Doggies on the Catwalk stage in 2018 and will probably be his last 'catwalk' as most likely, he'll be matched with a recipient soon after that! That's my boy!!

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Good Day Atlanta's Operation Max

/ Fox 5 News/

This is very exciting and something new to Doggies on the Catwalk... FOX 5 Atlanta has fostered a (future) service dog named Max from Canine Assistants and Max will be walking at the 10th Annual Doggies on the Catwalk! Everyone at FOX 5 and Good Day Atlanta has fallen in love with the furry bundle of joy but it's Paul Milliken who wins as Max's modeling-mate! Catch them both strutting down the 'Catwalk' on May 6th at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Paul will be wearing Kit and Ace and Monck Mason Clothiers and Max will be wearing his Canine Assistants green vest.

SUPPORT Max's & Paul's fundraising campaign by buying tickets to the event and/or making a donation: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/OperationMax/doggies-on-the-catwalk-2017

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Prepping for Doggies on the Catwalk 2017

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I walked into Nars, Les Copains, Tod's Theory, Monck Mason, Louboutin, Alice + Olivia, Canali, Planet Blue and Kit and Ace yesterday, Saturday April 8. I wasn't shopping but I was on a mission. But let's back this up first. [My] day started with a visit to doggie couture boutique Bark Fifth Ave. It's located in Buckhead and the showroom is a designer hotspot for all things canine. Owner, Ashley Daniele is walking in Doggies on the Catwalk and threw a "Pawty" to raise funds for Canine Assistants. She served "bark-tinis' for the pups and bubbles for her guests.

My partner, Alex Page, who is also waking in Doggies on the Catwalk and is its co-chair, was with me. From Bark Fifth Ave, Alex and I headed over to The Shops Buckhead. Our goal was to visit all the brands who've partner with me for the event. We perused the showrooms and there are some very fabulous clothes in all of them! Looking through it all gives me a better idea about the runway theme and line up.

It's going to be a great runway with 20+ models and over 40 looks! This is the biggest runway show to date for Doggies on the Catwalk. [And if I'm excited] YOU should be too! Tickets are selling fast and they are only $50. Buy them HERE and see you on May 6, 2017!

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Meet & Greet with the Service Dogs from Doggies on the Catwalk

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(l-r) Tracye Hutchins, Michelle Crosland, Alex Myvett, Ashley Daniele, Corey Danga, Rebecca Walden, E. Vincent Martinez, Alex Page. [photos by David Scott Photography]

(l-r) Tracye Hutchins, Michelle Crosland, Alex Myvett, Ashley Daniele, Corey Danga, Rebecca Walden, E. Vincent Martinez, Alex Page. [photos by David Scott Photography]

Last weekend, a small group of models walking in the 10th Annual Doggies on the Catwalk, met Grace Murphy and myself at the Canine Assistants farm. [We] wanted everyone to meet the amazing doggies... these service dogs and future service dogs that are just so wonderful.. but of course, we all got a massive case of puppy fever! Look through the slide show below and you'll see why!

I felt it was important for models to get a tour of Canine Assistants, meet their dogs and learn from Grace about their mission. While Doggies on the Catwalk is a fun time, our cause runs much deeper than fashion and cocktails. Understanding the role of service dogs and how they help, improve and impact lives gave models a better perspective about their own role in respect to Doggies on the Catwalk.

If you haven't purchased your tickets for Doggies on the Catwalk on May 6 at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta OR you simply wish to make a donation, just click on the button below. 

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#BTS with Doggies on the Catwalk at Swoox

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The Doggies on the Catwalk photo shoot is always one of my favorite parts leading up to the event. It's fun and spontaneous, regardless of how much planning, because the pups often want to strike their own pose.

We scheduled the shoot for the ad, which will run in several of Modern Luxury's publications and in various media outlets, last week at Swoox. The curated consignment boutique, located in Buckhead, served as the ideal backdrop for the shoot. I wanted a casual look in a posh setting - Swoox was perfect - Jenn Balcos from Swoox, who is walking the 'catwalk' this year, made sure of that. Alex Page, also walking the 'walk' was there to oversee, manage, style, curate and most of all, support his boyfriend - Me!

This would be the third time photographer Tomas Espinoza shoots the Doggies on the Catwalk ad. He's got a keen photographic vision and the talent to back it up. The final image will most definitely be out-of-this-world! 

Last, but most certainly not least, Grace Murphy of Canine Assistants brought her army of handlers and furry friends - two Golden Retrievers and one Golden Doodle - all service dogs of course. When the doggies weren't modeling, they just laid on the Swoox floor and napped.

I styled the shoot to embrace an athleisure aesthetic by wearing a cashmere hoodie from Kit and Ace, slim cut trousers by Theory and for a pop of color and wow factor, tapestry-made kicks from Monck Mason. My jewelry was David Yurman. I reclined on the Swoox sofa while Tomas strategically placed the dogs around me. They loved the camera and posed like the rockstars that they are!

Doggies on the Catwalk is on May 6 at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. I'm very proud to announce that it is our tenth anniversary! Please support us and buy your tickets. HERE

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