Tracy du Plessis

PHOTOS: Dook | PRODUCTION: Klara van Wyngaarden | WORDS: Mirelle Leyden


With this designer’s range of pet fashion and accessories, your best friend no longer has to look – or feel – like the dog’s dinner.

Whether you’re looking for casual wear, such as a quirky printed T-shirt matched with a plain collar, or glitzy evening wear, such as a sequined pullover paired with a diamanté collar, you’ll find it all under the Pink Trash label – a fashion first for dogs.

“Recently, society has become more understanding of the relationship between pet and owner,” says Tracy du Plessis. “Coffee shops and restaurants are becoming pet friendly and if, like Sonnyboy the Maltese, your dog is small enough to fit into a bag, he can even accompany you on your weekly trip to the grocery store.”

Three years ago, the realisation that this trend had created a gap in the fashion industry urged her to make her move. “Dressing up for afternoon tea with your girlfriends is one thing, but being able to dress up your dog at the same time is so much better,” she declares.

As an avid dog lover, Tracy’s first priority is to enhance their sense of comfort and wellbeing. This is achieved by using the correct materials (to prevent skin irritation), comfortably sized collars and cleverly fitted outfits, such as the waistcoat worn by Maxxi the French poodle (pictured here).

The business continues to expand in product range and creativity, and Tracy has gone from designing only canine fashion to also creating pet accessories – luxury beds and quirky bowls custom-made by Wuma are the latest additions. By the looks of things, our best friends will soon be demanding a red carpet of their own.

• Pink Trash: 011 708 6650