At most fashion shows, the front row is not normally at risk of being licked by the models – but at this fashion show, it’s the norm.
The seventh annual Man and His Dog fashion show is Wednesday (Sept. 17). For the first time, it will be held at Glo Restaurant as opposed to Outlooks Menswear, although the event is still put on by Outlooks.
The new location will mean a bigger event, with the potential for over 100 more people.
“You’re going to be on a patio with drinks and appies and gorgeous men in gorgeous clothes and gorgeous dogs — what else could you ask for?,” said Penny Stone, executive director of the Victoria Humane Society.
The event is a fundraiser for the Victoria Humane Society and Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue.
Dale Olsen, owner of Outlooks Menswear, said the event usually raises between $4,000 and $5,000, but he hopes to double that to $10,000 this year.
“These places have huge expenses,” said Olsen. “They go through palettes of dog food, vet bills that are large – there’s a lot of costs involved.”
Olsen created the fundraiser after he and his wife adopted a rescue dog from Turtle Gardens, and saw how much support it needed.
There will be 16 men dressed in the latest fall fashions from Outlooks Menswear. Ten of them will be walking their own dogs down the runway, and six of them will be walking dogs available for adoption.
Besides the location, also new this year will be a puppy petting station. Puppies who are available for adoption will be there for people to pet and play with. No adoptions will be made that night, but people are welcome to make inquiries and follow up after.
“It’s nice for people to be able to interact and to see … what rescue puppies look like – they’re better than every other dog,” said Stone.
Olsen added: “The dogs kind of steal the show. I do my best to make sure everybody loves the clothes, but we’re in stiff competition with the dogs.”
The Glo Restaurant will be able to accommodate 250 to 275 people, as opposed to the 150 at Outlooks in previous years, said Olsen. Tickets are still being sold for $55 for adults and $20 for kids under 16. For more information, contact Dale Olsen at Outlooks Menswear at 250-384-2848 or at 534 Yates St.