Dogs Rule The Runway At Elysian’s 2nd Annual Catwalk Furbaby Show

The fashion world can be a serious, ultra-exclusive place. Runway shows are typically not filled with laughter, or even people smiling. However, one runway show broke the mold this year at New York Fashion Week.

If there was one runway show that felt warm, inclusive—and dare I say it, fun—it was Elysian’s Catwalk FurBaby Fashion Show.

Elysian’s founder Karen Floyd brought together charities, models, dogs and designers to support important causes at Sony Hall as part of Runway 7’s Spring/Summer 2025 presentation. This year marks their second annual runway show.

“Building on our inaugural event last year, we have seen the impact of our event on a number of charitable organizations,” said Floyd. “This is the second time ever that fashion, animals and charity have been brought together in New York Fashion Week.”

After an opening performance from pop singer Chloe Jane, the event was hosted by New York Fashion Week founder Fern Mallis. Each runway look was paired with a not-for-profit organization with a model-and-pet team. Mallis led the audience through the impact of each charitable organization with enthusiasm.

It was an entertaining runway show, to say the least. Some models were decked out in puppy-themed garb, like news anchor Kristin Thorne who wore a multi-colored animal print coat, or philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, who walked the runway for the New York Women’s Foundation. Patricia Silverstein adopted the dog she walked down the runway with, named Percy.

Each pet garnered “awws” from the audience, and some got treats at the end of the runway, as they were photographed by a wall of over a hundred photographers packed into Sony Hall.

As Mallis notes: “Some of the designers were so dedicated to the cause that they created complementary outfits for the pets.”

The event featured five different types of charitable organizations on the runway: for animals, children, the environment, service and women.

Among the charities, they included Charleston Alternative to Detention for Children, the Rahm Foundation, Honoring America’s Veterans, the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Animal Ashram and Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation.

The women’s charities included The New York Women’s Foundation, Nebras Hayek Foundation, Silent Tears, and the Silverstein Dream Foundation.

Designers who were featured in the show included Tommy Hilfiger (worn by Chloe Jane), D’Marsh Couture and “Project Runway” alumni Johnathan Kayne (worn by Hollywood icon Loretta Swit). Some of the VIPs in attendance included Leesa Rowland, Kate McEntee, and Devika Gopal Agge, among others.

The panel of celebrity judges included philanthropist and musician Consuelo Vanderbilt, supermodel Carol Alt Honduran chocolatier Maribel Lieberman (who hosted the pre-event party at her MarieBelle shop on Broome Street the night before), who decided on the awards that were handed out at the end.

The People’s Choice Award was won by the Companion Animal Alliance in Louisiana, with an outfit designed by Queen of Sparkles worn on model Jaime Glas Odom with a chihuahua papillon mix named Little Dog.

The Publisher’s Pick went to Operation Kindness in Texas, which had model Gia Skova wear a look by Glenroy Marsh of D’Marsh Couture, while being accompanied by a pomeranian dog named Daisy, who was rescued previously from Rescue Dogs Rock NYC.

Meanwhile, the Judge’s Pick went to NYC’s Second Chance Rescue, which had a look designed by Nicole Miller and Canine Cashmere, which was worn by model Rachel Donohue and a cattle dog mix named Eunice (who was adopted from Second Chance Rescue by actress Alexandra Daddario).

“Our Elysian magazine readers are lifelong learners, successful in their lives and careers, and possess an insatiable curiosity,” said Floyd. “They also think about legacy, and the growing power of women in the philanthropic space. Elysian Impact is dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, animals and the environment.”

Elysian Impact is the philanthropic arm of Elysian, a luxury lifestyle brand that supports women’s empowerment, and was created in partnership with DRC Ventures, a conservation platform founded by Dr. Christina Rahm. The same organization also hosted Merci Dupre Clothiers couture line, which is focused on the future of eco-fashion with their “Enviremware” clothing line coated in nano-biotechnology.

“CatWalk FurBaby is fashion and charity reimagined, remixed and re-energized,” said Mallis. “The Elysian team and SohoMuse have brought together designers from all over the country for one eclectic, high-energy show.”