It finally happened: the worlds of rescue dogs and high fashion designers have collided in the most beautiful way.
Meet the most heartwarming (and chic) limited-edition collaboration that gives back to pups in need through the most gorgeous dog bows we’ve ever laid eyes on, all in honor of Adopt a Dog Month.
Benefiting Muddy Paws Rescue and raising awareness for animal rescue efforts worldwide, influencer Isabel Klee of @simonsits has partnered with American design house Oscar de la Renta on a capsule collection of beautiful bows that adds a dash of designer whimsy to dog lovers’ dreams.
An essential in any pampered pooch’s wardrobe, the collection of festive collar embellishments is much more than just a stylish canine accessory.
With each sale, 100% of the proceeds are donated to Muddy Paws Rescue, a foster-based rescue in New York City with a network of over 2,000 foster homes that saves more than 1,000 lives every year, over 9,000 dogs since its founding in 2016.
In a press release from the design house, they explain the unusual partnership, sharing, “By shopping this special collection, you join Oscar de la Renta’s commitment to celebrating the joy of canine companionship while supporting the work of an organization making a proud difference.”
There are nine styles of bows to choose from, including three unique Oscar de la Renta archive floral fabrics as well as six solids, all available in three different sizes to suit your specific pup. At $200, they’re not cheap — but thanks to this partnership, it’s a designer item worth far more than its price tag.
Teasing the collaboration on Instagram on Tuesday morning, Klee joked, “It all started a few months ago as most of these things happen…during a fashion emergency,” continuing, “It turns out the entire Oscar team is rescue dog obsessed.”
Alex Bolen, the CEO of Oscar de la Renta, shared with Klee, “We so appreciate what you’re doing for all of these dogs. We have four rescues.”
While Klee was expecting to meet a steely character straight out of “The Devil Wears Prada,” she was delighted to discover that Bolen was “an amazing guy who just genuinely loves helping rescue animals.”
“It’s an unlikely pair — me with Oscar de la Renta,” Klee reflected, “but somehow everything has come together so easily and seamlessly, it’s almost like it was meant to happen all along. I can’t wait to show you this collection, coming from people who just love dogs. I have a feeling you’re going to love it.”
For those not familiar with Klee, she is a dog owner, writer, content creator and animal rescue advocate who is perhaps best known for her Instagram handle @simonsits, named after her sweet, loving, and oh-so-adorable rescue dog, Simon.
After foster-failing with Simon in 2019, Klee has used her (and his!) platform to share the importance of rescuing animals with the world, fostering countless dogs since, often taking on the most complicated medical cases, most shut-down dogs, or previously passed-over pups who deserve a special human to step in and advocate for them.
As for Oscar de la Renta, the idea all started in July with a pocket Pitbull mix named Itsy.
Itsy was about two years old, pulled from a Kentucky shelter where she was at risk for Euthanasia due to severe infections and damage in both of her ears. Luckily, she was saved by Muddy Paws and placed with Klee.
As Klee does with every animal that comes her way, she not only rescued Itsy but also helped her to grow and thrive. She now lives happily with her forever family. But, before she left Isabel’s Brooklyn abode, she had a high-fashion experience most humans — let alone rescue dogs pulled from a shelter just weeks before — can even fathom.
Ahead of a segment on “The Today Show,” Klee was contacted by the team at Oscar de la Renta, who told her that they were huge fans and rescue advocates. They wanted to dress both Klee and Itsy for their appearance.
Once the pair arrived at the New York City boutique, the team set up Itsy in her very own fitting room, with a wide array of oversized bows created from the same fabrics used in their high-end dresses.
Itsy attempted to nibble on some of the designer dresses as she pranced around like the true queen she is, while trying on multiple Oscar bows.
As the team praised the most perfect little Itsy, Klee laughed, “I have to tell you guys. This dog was found behind an Olive Garden in Kentucky, and the fact that she’s in Oscar de la Renta right now…”
But then, don’t all rescues deserve the five-star treatment?
Oscar de la Renta or not, that’s the message that Klee has been spreading to the world, saving countless animals along the way.
Klee’s Instagram-famous foster dogs include Tiki, the “extremely fearful, shut down foster dog” who became forever known as the “extremely brave, inspiring foster dog,” proving to be an inspiration to rescue owners, elementary school classrooms and everyone in between.
Gus, who was adopted by Klee’s own parents and is one of the lucky few to have an original Mutts comic drawn of him by Patrick McDonnell.
And, Osito, the medically complex, yet vibrantly joyful and spirited Yorkie, who passed away a little over two weeks ago after six months with his forever family.
Followers of Klee have fallen in love with every one of her fosters, sobbed a little along the way and rooted for them to find their perfect forever families.
Not only has Klee saved every dog that she personally nurtured back to life (along with Simon, fiancé Jacob and the entire community that she has built), but also those who she’s never met — the ones who were fostered or adopted by followers of hers from years past and years to come.
You can shop the Oscar de la Renta x @SimonSits canine bow capsule collection now, at oscardelarenta.com. It’s a great way to dress up your pup while helping Muddy Paws save some more sweet animals.
The post Oscar de la Renta x @SimonSits is the feel-good fashion collaboration you need — for you and your dog appeared first on Page Six.
