Forget the Met Gala — the real fashion moment of the season had four legs, wagging tails, and enough attitude to make Anna Wintour blink twice.
On Monday, May 18, New York’s most stylish pups (and their very patient humans) descended on Midtown for the third annual Pet Gala — a full-on canine couture takeover inspired by the 2026 Met Gala and reimagined entirely for dogs.
Hosted at Cineplay on West 37th Street, the ticketed soirée turned high fashion into high fluff, complete with a 24-foot red carpet, flower-wall photo ops, and more sparkle than a flashbulb could handle.
For $100 a pop (plus a required “Canine Ticket” per pup), guests got the full glam treatment: a runway show of dogs in miniature Met Gala-inspired looks, live commentary, themed photo stations, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and even a live performance from an electronic-classical pop opera act.
And behind all the rhinestones and runway struts? One man with a very specific vision: pet couturier Anthony Rubio, a canine Karl Lagerfeld of sorts — if Lagerfeld also had to tailor couture for golden retrievers on a two-week deadline.
“The Met Gala designers get months to create their looks — I get just two weeks to translate them for dogs,” he said.
He added that while Fashion Week fuels his creative direction, the Pet Gala is its own beast. And it isn’t just pageantry for pageantry’s sake.
Each ticket helps support the AKC Museum of the Dog, home to one of the world’s largest collections of dog-inspired art — and proceeds are tax-deductible, in case you needed an IRS-friendly excuse to watch a Chihuahua in couture.
This year’s spectacle continues a growing tradition that began in 2024. And if Monday night was any indication, the pups aren’t just participating in fashion week energy anymore — they’re stealing it.
See if you can guess the A-lister who inspired each of the looks in our quiz — scroll down for the answers.
A Cockapoo in blue
ChaCha, this adorable Cockapoo, arrived at the Pet Gala — complete with a Saint Laurent-inspired gown, gold-toned bodice flair and a flowing blue skirt. But which pop star’s wife turned beauty mogul was she channeling?
A regal ruff
Kimba, this super-cute Chihuahua, turned heads in a look inspired by a custom Olivier Rousteing ensemble. But which legend inspired this crystal-covered, curve-hugging “skeleton” gown, complete with a dramatic cape and jeweled headpiece?
Late, but always great
Tyra, a sweet Pomeranian, came dressed for a real Met Gala moment, in this Maison Margiela Artisanal-esque get-up — emulating which —often tardy — star?
The show-stopping pup
Priscilla, a charming Brussels Griffon, channeled which iconic superstar’s Met Gala moment in a blue-and-black gown inspired by John Galliano for Zara, topped off with a signature Stephen Jones-style top hat?
Red carpet icon in rouge
Chanel, a petite Maltese, rocked a dress inspired by a prolific Oscar-winning actress — in a ruby-red Chanel number with sequined, feathered cuffs and full old-Hollywood showgirl glamour. But which one?
Decidedly not devilish
BeBe, a lovely little Pekingese, was styled in a Michael Kors-esque creation, featuring a strapless black silk-and-wool mikado gown with a cascading skirt and intricate, hand-painted motifs. But perhaps Prada would have been more appropriate?
It’s all in the family
Suki, a beautiful Chinese Crested, served up a canine take on a deconstructed Schiaparelli-inspired gown featuring a nude illusion corset and a flowing ivory skirt. But which famous sister did she model herself on?
Answers
- ChaCha: Hailey Bieber
- Kimba: Beyoncé
- Tyra: Rihanna
- Priscilla: Stevie Nicks
- Chanel: Nicole Kidman
- BeBe: Anne Hathaway
- Suki: Kylie Jenner
