LYNN — It may not be Gucci, but pooches all over now have the chance to up their sense of style.
Peter Matu, a Lynn native and Lynn English alumnus, always had a passion for animals. When he heard about Nathanael Strickland’s idea for a high-end fashion company for dogs, which gives proceeds to local animal shelters and rescue leagues, Matu said he was all in.
With a focus on providing warmth and comfort to animals in need, Boston Made, Inc. is a start-up that offers a collection of curated products specializing in designer dog clothes.
“I’ve been involved since it started a month and a half ago, so it’s still a baby,” Matu said. “I’ve always been someone that likes fashion and I thought this would be an interesting lane. Creating clothes while addressing the need of wanting dogs to have the same fashions that humans have is another way to express art.”
Strickland, the CEO of the doggie start-up, said he thought of the idea after Boston, his Golden Doodle, was taken from him six months ago after an alleged issue with a pet-sitter.
“Right now, he’s being held hostage in Georgia by a caretaker who won’t return him back to me, so I’m currently in litigation with her,” said the Worcester resident. “That’s what has been the catalyst of this whole thing, seeing a niche to provide comfort and protect animals who are in need.”
For every online order, one dollar goes directly to ensure animal shelters have the resources to continue their work. The company recently partnered with Boston Animal Rescue Collaborative (BARC), a newly founded organization dedicated to empowering and supporting animal rescue organizations.
Every Boston Made, Inc. purchase helps an animal, said Matu. Not only does the company sell designer dog jackets, they sell anything related to pets and animals as a whole, including beds, and collars. Once in a while, they sell hats and sweaters for humans.
Next up on their list of hopeful products to sell is matching jackets and onesies for dogs and toddlers, according to Larisa Huguley, the company’s vice president of product development.
“We want to be transcendent in a way in which we are encouraging, while working with designers from all over the world,” Matu said.
Strickland said the company is planning a dog fashion show for the spring. They are calling the production “Doggie Style,” and are hoping to book a venue somewhere in Boston.
Right now, the company’s biggest goal is to find local partners and suppliers to continue manufacturing handcrafted designer items, said Strickland. Huguley said she is always on the hunt for avant-garde pieces that she can bring into the mainstream for all types of four-legged friends.
Huguley, an Arizona resident, said the company has two specific target areas, customers with a luxury price point and customers with a standard price point. The website currently has products with a price point of $300, but Huguley said their online products are consistently changing.
“The level of care people put into their animals is so amazing,” said Huguley. “We provide human-grade products because everyone wants what is best for their pets.”
