The term eco-friendly is commonplace, but let's not forget about it's predecessor “reuse.” It may not be as buzzy, but it's just as smart. Reuse is the premise of The Modern Canine, a local petwear company delivering distinguished outerwear and accessories for dogs, and a few fun things for cats, all made from discarded fabrics from the fashion industry.
The Modern Canine's selection of dog coats, hoodies, vests, bowties and bandanas will bedeck your pet in the latest colors and patterns, all the while keeping them warm. Founder and designer Tiffany Pek has a background in menswear and started The Modern Canine as a side project while she worked on her clothing line for people. Success took over and Pek explains, “The Modern Canine became my main focus over time because I found out that people love to pamper their pets even when they don't make purchases for themselves.”
Pek created sweaters for dog lover and designer John Bartlett and travels for special dogwear projects. When she's in town, she has co-custody of her brother's Norwich Terrier, Fuego, who serves as her muse. Fuego modeled the original Modern Canine sweater in the Mission one day and people stopped Pek to ask where she found his handsome Italian knit sweater. Light bulb.
Many of Pek's designs are gender neutral and boast prints relevant to fashion; one of her newest designs is a Navajo print coat, perfect for the furry Mission hipster. With various cozy linings, the fabrics are key: Brushed flannel, organic cotton, lilac chevron print wool, navy houndstooth lightweight wool, black mesh, boucle, and on. At Cheengoo on Union Street, you can find the wool bandana collection made from vintage wool blankets—factory remains from a collaboration between Rogan and Barneys.
Aside from style, the main goal of The Modern Canine is “to reduce waste that is so prevalent in the fashion industry.” The company produces locally with non-sweatshop labor and they strive for zero-production waste by creating catnip toys from dog coat scraps.
Pek takes dog trips to leash-free Fort Funston or Delfina Pizzeria, where she and Fuego can sit outside and survey the city for inspiration. You can find The Modern Canine at Fort Mason February 25-26 at the SF Flea Market where they'll be hosting a sample sale. Together with local collar designer Cheengoo, they'll also be taking custom orders.
Sam Durbin (sami.7x7@gmail.com) is a California lifestyle writer who honed her blogging skills as Editor of FabSugar.com. Sam graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology, and also writes for 7x7 Magazine and Gilt City.
