Designers donate for animals in need

Angus wears Zambesi. Photo / Guy Coombes

New Zealand's top fashion designers have donated exclusive items to help the Herald's Viva magazine raise money for animals in need.

Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Zambesi, World, Ruby, Juliette Hogan, and Stolen Girlfriends Club are among those who have created or donated special items for The Pet Project, an initiative organised by Viva to raise money for the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Viva editorial assistant Anna Lee hopes The Pet Project can help Webster.

The animal-themed auction features 16 items, including dog jackets and pet accessories, as well as dresses for humans with animal related prints. Unique items include a made-to-measure Zambesi dog jacket, bespoke jellies for cats presented in a handmade box, and a Kate Sylvester one-off dog blanket.

"Our family dog Lulu has taught my boys how to be responsible, gentle and compassionate," says Sylvester. "This is a lovely opportunity to do something to help animals that aren't part of a family."

Karen Walker, whose latest eyewear campaign model is rescue dog Toast, created a neoprene dog sweatshirt for Viva's project. It is one of only three in the world, with the others belonging to Toast and his sister Muppet.

All proceeds from the auction will go the SPCA. Every year SPCA centres in New Zealand receive about 60,000 animals through their doors, and deal with 14,000 animal welfare complaints.

Viva fashion editor Dan Ahwa with Phoebe from the SPCA Auckland. Photo / James Lowe

As part of The Pet Project Viva has also worked with photographer James Lowe on portraits of animals up for adoption at the SPCA Auckland, to be shared across social media to encourage the "adopt don't shop" message.