Forget the cat walk, high-end fashion is going to the dogs.
Canine lovers are forking over millions for new high-end luxury jewelry for their pooches, causing demand on the East Coast to spike and has one business owner considering an expansion to The Golden State.
“If you know, you know,” Racheli Waters Shamir, the owner of doggie jewelry store The D Diamond New York, told The California Post.
Shamir’s 18 carat gold collars made with D diamonds — the highest grade in the world — are fetching big bucks from wealthy dog owners who want only the best for their furry friends.
“Our pieces begin at $1,435 and can rise significantly depending on the level of customization, diamond weight, and stone selection. High commission creations can reach $150,000 and even exceed one million dollars, depending on what the client envisions,” she adds.
One product in particular, a signature piece called the Heart Bone Collar, is only available for clients who have an established purchase history. Only then do they have the opportunity to commission the design.
“It’s not cheap, I want to have a very high standard,” says Shamir.
Owners of poodles, golden retrievers, bull dogs, and chihuahuas have all made their way to Shamir’s swanky showroom in Manhattan to get their precious pooches fitted with the diamond studded collars.
Harri, a 12 pound poodle who now displays a diamond paw charm on his collar is one of the lucky pups who now rocks the pricey accessory. His owner, Monica, also wears the jewels herself.
“I use it for special occasions, but it’s mainly for him like when we go out to eat. Harri orders salmon and rice. The charm makes him feel confident,” she says.
The price tag is nothing for the mega-rich clients to bark at. “This is your dog, he’s like one of our family, it’s an heirloom, passed down for generations,” says Monica who shelled out thousands for Harri’s collar.
The jewels are custom designed and created as an investment. They “carry value” for customers that come from “new and old” money, says Shamir.
Shamir says business is so big she’s eyeing big bucks Beverly Hills for a showroom. Her two rescue chihuahuas, Luli and Fancy, are from LA.
“I think the West Coast is amazing, California is the best. I already have a few clients in California,” she said.