The pampered Italian Greyhound has a $20,000 designer wardrobe and attends runway shows around the world
This pampered pooch is sure to give you a second glance as she struts through parks and sidewalks modeling the latest designer clothes.
Meet Tika, the 12-year-old Italian Greyhound who loves to dress up in stylish outfits and attend exclusive fashion events around the world, along with her owner Thomas Sharpio, 32, from Montreal, Canada.
This chic pooch often features bespoke couture – with a wardrobe worth €20,000 – and is regularly seen at fashion week events in Paris, New York and Milan.
Tika currently has a wardrobe of 400 luxury items, and when she's not walking the catwalks around the world, she enjoys a tailor-made raw and fresh diet alone.
Owner Thomas spends an average of $60 a week on Tika's food – about $500 every two months.
Meet Tika, the 12-year-old Italian Greyhound who loves to dress up in stylish outfits and attend exclusive fashion events around the world
This chic pooch often features bespoke couture – with a wardrobe worth €20,000 – and is regularly seen at fashion week events in Paris, New York and Milan
Thomas and his partner, Louis, 36, have two children together, Harrison, two, and Eleanor, one, as well as a one-year-old Italian greyhound called Kala, who they also enjoy dressing up in a range of luxury attire.
While many of Tika's garments are donated due to her sponsorships with brands, full-time content creator Thomas said of Tika's impressive closet, “All of her clothes are custom made.”
“They can range from $100 to $170 per item. Most of the dresses are worth between $170 and $510.”
Because Montreal's climate is often cold, rainy or glazed with layers of ice and snow, Thomas and Louis, a project manager, always dressed Tika in clothes.
Thomas said: 'Breeds like Greyhounds are like people, she had a wardrobe before we even started sharing photos online. We live in Canada and it is always cold and rainy. You have to be prepared.'
In 2016, Thomas started posting Tika's outfits online, drawing inspiration from the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher.
He said: 'I get most of my inspiration from the current catwalks, but also from people like Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher – you know the icons.'
After quickly amassing a large following online, the polished pup has now had the opportunity to work with major fashion brands like Boss, Dior, Chanel, Fendi and Vogue.
Thomas and his partner, Louis, 36, have two children together, in addition to a one-year-old Italian greyhound named Kala (R), who they also like to dress up in a range of luxury clothes
In 2016, Thomas started posting Tika's outfits online, inspired by the likes of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Cher
Tika currently has a wardrobe of 400 luxury items, and when she's not walking the catwalks around the world, she enjoys a tailor-made raw and fresh diet alone
Every day Tika wears more practical clothes and wears a romper, overcoat, boots, hat and snood
The fame has also given Tika the privilege of walking the catwalk at fashion weeks around the world.
Every day Tika wears more practical clothes and wears a romper, overcoat, boots, hat and snood.
Thomas said: 'When choosing an outfit it can vary. If it is daily, we strive for comfort. For her, she wears a romper, she's very used to it.'
Once Tika 'retires', the younger dog Kala is also ready to follow in the diva dog's footsteps.
Thomas said, “Kala will take over. But she's not slowing down and we'll never force her.”
Tika and Kala follow a strict diet to ensure they stay fit, healthy and camera-ready, but are treated to food packed with protein and high fiber.
Thomas explained, “We always give them freeze-dried raw food. We give them supplements and we give them fresh fruit and vegetables. The girls are loving it and they are in great shape.”
Not only are the four-legged friends spoiled with endless designer clothes, foreign trips and a tasty, varied diet – the dogs get a king-size bed to sleep next to their owners.
After quickly amassing a large following online, the polished pup has now had the opportunity to work with major fashion brands such as Boss, Dior, Chanel, Fendi and Vogue
Thomas said of Tika's impressive closet, “All of her clothes are custom made. “They can range from $100 to $170 per item. Most dresses are worth between $170 and $510
Thomas believes Tika is a 'trendsetter' and 'icon', claiming Tika has paved the way for fashion brands to expand their range of pet clothing
Tika and Kala can sleep up to 21 hours a day and have twelve dog beds throughout the house, but Thomas insists the dogs feel more comfortable near a heat source.
He said: 'They sleep with me and my husband in a king size bed. They are always looking for warmth, they like to be near you.'
Thomas believes Tika is a 'trendsetter' and 'icon', claiming that Tika has paved the way for fashion brands to expand their range of pet clothing, while inspiring fellow dog owners to dress their pups in couture clothing.
He said: “Other dogs are dressing up now. I think Tika started this. If you go into a store there are more options for dogs than there were five to six years ago.”
Meanwhile, another dog in Australia is living her best life with inspired, artful meals that look like they were made in a Michelin-star restaurant – with ingredients like caviar, elk and salmon on the menu.
Shannon Arney, 32 – a stay-at-home mum from Tasmania – feeds her dog Echo, a Smithfield/border collie cross, a completely raw diet to ensure she has the 'best nutrition'.