Are you a hound for fashion? Do you carefully curate outfits that reflect today’s mood, suitably protecting you from whatever the elements have to offer, yet always in keeping with your immaculate style? No? Me either… Let's face it, the devil wouldn’t wear 90% of my wardrobe, and the discovery of 4+ empty poo bags from each pocket would put him off wearing the other 10%. For me, clothes need to be practical, there’s nothing worse than finding that jacket you love then being consumed by the deeply saddening realisation that it does not have an inside pocket (where will I possibly keep the dogs tennis ball).

Here at Absolute Hound keeping our pet clothes functional is paramount. Every design, from the initial drawings to the finished product, has a purpose. We like to keep things simple, drawing inspiration from classic pieces we all have in our wardrobes. Standard pet clothing is often ill fitting, not fit for function or, in some cases, just plain ugly, however it doesn’t need to be that way. All of the Absolute Hound products are completely handmade, everything from the patterns to the labels, this means everything is customisable. We have taken the theory behind existing pet clothing and combined it with popular fashion to create items that are both practical and classy.

Every item we sell starts with an idea, crazy or otherwise. A few drawings later and it’s time to start drafting a pattern. From ham hocks to hoodies, everything is drawn with a trusty HB pencil. This is where the fun begins, pattern pieces are transferred onto fabric ready to be cut out. With some serious wrist action, even the most intricate patterns are possible. All labels and design work are screen printed at the hands of the Absolute Hound team. Once everything has been printed and cut, it’s time to start sewing. From custom-made coats and loungewear to quirky toys and accessories, everything is 100% handmade at Absolute Hound HQ (well minus the fabric but we may need a bigger studio for that).

The studio is often filled with the sounds of smooth Jazz, but predominantly the peeps of my cat wanting some attention or the incessant squeak of a dog toy. However that is essential for the most important stage of production. Quality Control Checker in Chief, Milk (the cat) thoroughly assesses each piece ensuring her high standards are achieved. Mind, she only assesses with her eyes, no paws allowed. Then, after some dinner (we don’t tend to share food, unless its Dreamies), we are ready to package everything up to be posted out to you. Lumin (the dog) likes helping with this part, apparently no toy is as fun as a roll of sticky tape. So, what are you waiting for? As Rachel Zoe once said ‘style is a way to say who you are without having to speak’. Be your pets voice! Give your pets street credit a major boost.