This year’s annual student-run Dogs n’ Denim fashion show event took place on Nov. 29 at the University of Arizona Mall Center Stage.

This doggie fashion show is run by the fashion industry’s science and technology 215 class, Mechanics of Fashion, with a special addition of fashion industry’s science and technology 425’s Replay line. 

The FITS 215 students were tasked with designing and creating a dog cape tuned to the theme of the “Mutt Gala.” The students were divided into groups and used recycled or upcycled materials, including 10% recycled denim in each piece.

Fashion student Michael Lopez described the process throughout the semester.

“We had to design a dog outfit, draw it out and make a mood board with inspiration from the theme. My group created ‘Denim Dreams and Leather’ and we made it in the fashion lab,” Lopez said. 

The Replay line consists of student-made clothing from recycled materials and secondhand UA football jerseys. The items made from these materials range anything from a handbag to a jean jacket with numbers embedded on the back. All items were for sale at the show.

One of the dog walkers for the event, fashion student Maddie Smith, appreciated the room to work on what she desired.

“It was kind of fun because whoever wanted to take the lead on something could. I chose to go all-in on doing the cape to learn more on the mechanics of fashion,” Smith said. 

The host and announcer of the show, Susan Claassen, A.K.A. “Edith Head,” narrated the entire event with exciting commentary and loads of dog puns.

“Isn’t it marvelous to have a runway show where everyone is top dog?” Claaseen said. 

All dog capes featured in the show were put into a silent auction, with the proceeds going toward the students of the fashion industry’s science and technology major. 

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