New York’s Anthony Rubio is an internationally acclaimed pet couturier, fashion designer and animal advocate.
At this year’s annual glitzy ’Pet Gala’ held in uptown New York on Monday night, the designer replicated a selection of of the celebrity outfits worn by celebrities at the Met Gala two weeks ago.
As well as a celebration of dogs and fashion, The Pet Gala raised funds for the city’s AKC Museum of the Dog, home to the world’s leading collection of dog-inspired art.
The Wag attended the event at the New York venue of GH on The Park, and spoke to Anthony Rubio after the show.
TW: Congratulations on another amazing Pet Gala, how are you feeling?
AR: I’m feeling exhausted. I’m feeling like I’m done. I finished this project and I’m ready to just collapse.
TW: So how long does something like this take to put together?
AR: Well, this took two weeks because this is a duplicate of what happened at the Met Gala two weeks ago. So I only have two weeks to put all of this together.
TW: Wow, that sounds full on!
AR: It’s mind blowing. Let me tell you, first I have to pick my choices and then I have to go hunting for the fashions, the fabrics.
And then I have to sit down and draw, and pick up the dogs and measurements. It’s a madness, a divine madness.
TW: This is the end of a huge night for you, there’s been a lot of media interest as well?
AR: Oh, gosh. I’ve been interviewed all night. I’m so exhausted.
We had Vogue here, Good Morning America, Access Hollywood, so I had a lot of wonderful interviews and you saw the show.
We did a lot of photo shoots so the pictures will be hitting the internet.
And we’re very happy with what we did.
TW: Why did you choose the Museum of the Dog to raise funds for?
AR: It means a lot to me because for starters, you know, it’s the only museum for dogs.
And it’s a hidden jewel here in New York.
I think people need to be aware that it’s there and they should come down and see it.
Last year I did the party and the show at the museum and then they had an exhibit of my work for a whole month.
So I’m very happy to support it.
TW: Have you always been an animal lover?
AR: Yes since I was a child.
We’re doing a documentary. We’ve been filming for two years now and it should be coming out next December.
It tells the story of when I was a little boy growing up in the South Bronx, you know, doing, you know, these things with pets and rescuing animals.
So I like to call myself the voice of those who can’t ask me.
TW: Many of the dogs taking part tonight are rescue dogs?
AR: Yes, there are a lot of them and a lot of them have a handicap.
So, you know, we make things happen from rags to riches.
TW: Congratulations again on the event and the work you do.
AR: Thank-you, and thanks for coming along.
