New York Fashion Week can often feel ultra-serious. Victoria Beckham’s now-iconic “Fashion Stole My Smile” T-shirt is, in many ways, a truthful reflection of most fashion show front rows and runways. So a when a show serves as a lively, funny, celebratory reminder that fashion is supposed to be fun, it makes for a memorable moment.
Both Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra have built brands on eliciting joy with their designs. Antonoff is known for her nostalgic TV show-inspired toiles and pasta-patterned puffers, to name a few, while Alexandra embraces inner child-healing beaded jewelry covered in chunky (also often food-inspired) charms. Beyond the pure happiness that exudes from their designs, the two creatives also share another attribute: being major dog lovers.
Photo: Hunter Abrams/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
If you follow either designer on social media, you’re likely familiar with their very own adopted pets. Alexandra has Pigeon, while Antonoff has Lafitte — both rescues from kill shelters in Los Angeles. In tandem with their branded posts, the two have made their advocacy for adoption clear by consistently sharing stories from local rescue organizations. For Spring 2025, the duo took that work to the runway, hosting a “Best in Show”-themed event where available dogs strutted alongside various celebrities.
“We love dogs so much that we did a whole show in their honor,” Alexandra told Fashionista during an interview at the presentation. “We just want to make things fun. We want to make people happy and we want to be happy.”
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“The personalities of the handlers really dictated [the dog’s and their own] looks,” added Antonoff. Alexandra continued, “Everybody is a person we love and admire, so we were like, ‘We need to enhance this person’s personality […] and it really worked out.”
Photo: Hunter Abrams/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
The result was eclectic, star studded and funky: Former “Bachelorette” Gabby Windey walked in a velvet emerald jumpsuit alongside dog Peachy, who wore a pearl-encrusted collar. Actor Ana Gasteyer donned a cow-print skirt and dachshund-patterned knit sweater while holding Frank, a senior Beagle wearing a plush toy-covered leash. The “winner” of the event was Elmer, a black-and-brown English bulldog accompanied by Dylan Mulvaney, who wore a plaid two-piece set and a bag featuring several beaded dog portraits.
Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
“Every piece of Susan’s that you see in the show was tailored to the look, to the person, to their likes, their dislikes,” said Antonoff. “She is an extremely thoughtful person.” Alexandra returned the compliment: “I feel the same. In our first conversation, Rachel said everyone needs to feel good in their [look]. We’re not just throwing clothes on people. We’re saying, ‘How does that make you feel?’ […] I’m so happy because I can feel [that people are happy].”
See all the looks from Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra’s Spring 2025 show below.
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra Spring 2025. Photo: Madison Voelkel/Courtesy of Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra
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Source: Fashionista.com