Woman creates canine clothing line
Today, dogs as pets are being recognised as more than just guard dogs. Previously, dogs were adopted to keep an eye on their owners’ homes. They are now more like a best friend or a family member to their owners. The term pawrents, derived from the words paw and parents, which meant “dog parents,” is now more widely used to refer to dog owners.
And as pawrents, it is their job to care for their dogs as if they were children. These little furry friends are getting more attention in today’s world as people become more aware of how to properly care for them. This involves feeding them the best food and dressing them in the best clothes.
Fur-mummy Aileen adores her three furkids because watching them play and wag their tails makes her happy.
“My first dog was a local breed that I purchased at the Satok weekend market. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her, and my mum decided to get her for me. I gave her the name Sandy, inspired by the movie Annie.”
In 2019, the 40-year-old decided to have a Pomeranian breed.
“I named him Oka! He is adorable, with a sweet smile on his face. Everyone in the family adored him. I got another Pomeranian as his playmate in less than a month. I named her Soya! She has the sweetest smile that could melt anyone’s heart.”
She would do her best as a fur-mummy to brush their fur every day. She also bathes them at least once a week to keep their skin and coat healthy.
“As a Pomeranian owner, I needed to learn about the breed and its special needs. I even joined a Pomeranian group chat so that we could discuss and share knowledge.”
The best clothes
Aileen, as a pawrent, wants what is best for her furry kids. She seeks the best in everything, from food to clothing. When she and her mum couldn’t find suitable attire for their dogs, they decided to make their own.
“The majority of traditional Chinese costumes from China are designed for winter, thus they are very thick and unsuitable for dogs in Malaysia. My mum started sewing a simple matching couple dress and shirt for our dogs, followed by a pair of Chinese New Year Cheongsam and Samfu.”
The sewing project for her Pomeranians, Oka and Soya, did not end there. Aileen also said that she sews Kebaya outfits for her dogs, inspired by her grandmother’s Kebaya. She had previously posted photos on her dog’s Instagram account @pom_okasoya, which were well received by her followers.
“We began receiving requests from our Instagram followers to sew for their dogs as well. Some suggested that we create a business because many pet owners want nice, matching couple outfits. Additionally, fashionable dog harnesses are also popular.”
With her mum at the sewing machine and her discussing design ideas, the duo became a fashion designer specialising in dog attire. In 2021, Aileen created an Instagram account, @okasoya_collection, to commemorate the creation of ‘Oka & Soya Collection’.
Custom to fit
They provide pet fashion, mainly for small breeds, by customising each outfit to the dog’s measurements.
“As different dogs have varied body shapes and sizes, this allows us to assure the right fit. We also aim to design traditional costumes for our customers to wear to every festival in Malaysia.”
Apart from outfits and harness dresses, the Oka & Soya collection also offers handmade accessories for pets such as bow ties, bandanas, capes, and hair clips.
“Each piece of clothing is designed, customised, and handmade with love, thus it takes time. Depending on the complexity of the design, a piece can take up to a week or more to complete.”
When an order is placed, the customer will provide measurements for certain body parts for her mum to sew accordingly.
“Some of the difficulties we encountered included measurement confusion or customers who were unsure how to measure their pets. However, we learn how to communicate with our customers better as we gain experience.”
As pet designers, Aileen and her mum are delighted anytime they see a customer’s pet wearing one of their creations, “and when they tell us that the outfit is pretty and how much they appreciate it, it just makes us happy.”
Oka & Soya Collection plans to develop its brand name to a larger market in the future. Because the festivities are designed to be celebrated by all, dogs should be given the opportunity to dress up in traditional costumes to get into the spirit.
“In the future, we will also consider customising outfits for larger breeds.” So, stay tuned!
