EL DORADO —Internationally acclaimed pet couturier, Anthony Rubio’s one of a kind creations have been featured on Good Morning America, TMZ, Perez Hilton, The Today Show, CBS morning show Live From The Couch, Fox’s New Day New York, news broadcasts on CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, ABC, USA Today and Sports Illustrated — just to name a few.
And now his creations are making their way to El Dorado and the Union County Animal Protection Society — where they have been photographed by local photographer, Tammy Swarek, to showcase shelter dogs for the #ShelterPetsProject.
Swarek, Tammy Michael, also of El Dorado and several famous designers —including Rubio and Joan Kelly, also a New York designer — have worked together and have created “star status” for many once-abandoned and mistreated shelter dogs. Many of the UCAPS dogs photographed by Swarek have already been adopted, but with about 300 dogs at the shelter, there are many others waiting for homes, she said.
Born and raised in New York City and of Puerto Rican ancestry, Rubio grew up immersed in his Latin culture loving everything from music and cuisine to the elaborate fashions which inspired his “colorful palate and evolution as one of the hottest sought after designers to date,” according to his website.
With a formal education in women’s wear design and 20 years of experience creating and innovating new concepts and techniques, Rubio has earned for himself the title of “Master Pet Couturier.” The pet industry is estimated to be a $50 billion industry worldwide and “offered an opportunity for Rubio, who is recognized worldwide, to reach into his world of inspirations to create confections that every dog owner in the know wants to possess.”
His creations are considered collectible art inspired by anything from movies to fairy tales and especially by the best women’s wear couturiers of Europe.
Rubio is on the boards of several fundraising organizations and most recently was honored and awarded quite unexpectedly by “The Humane Society,” for his humanitarian efforts in championing animal adoption.
Rubio said his personal muses are twin 1-year-old Chihuahuas —Bogie, named after Humphrey Bogart and Kimba, named after a famous anime hero.
As an advocate for pet adoption, Rubio created “Adopt Me Maybe,” a campaign to adopt shelter animals. He started this campaign in an effort to promote shelter pet adoption verses buying a pet in a store. The “Adopt Me Maybe” pet adoption campaign went viral.
Rubio became the first pet fashion designer to showcase at New York’s Fashion Week in February 2012, and he has been commissioned by Pepsi Cola Co., Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, General Motors and EMI Records —to name a few, to create designs.
In July 2012, eight of Rubio’s couture creations were featured in and were part of the World Record breaking $250,000 dog wedding that appeared in the New York Daily News, television’s “The Insider,” Entertainment Tonight, On The Record with Greta Van Susteren, Teddy Hilton and VH1’s Best Week Ever.
Rubio’s story and his campaign to help shelter dogs find forever homes have been covered in newspapers and magazines and on television shows all over the world —from South Africa’s and China’s largest newspapers, to media outlets in Canada, India, Japan, Ghana and Great Britain.
After three years in a row of winning his round, Rubio’s replication of Michael Jackson’s award winning Thriller Music Video, won the top prize at the 20th Annual Halloween Dog contest at Tompkins Square.
“I am pleased to say that I have joined the #ShelterPetsProject,” Rubio said. The project is a pet adoption awareness campaign using dogs that are in the Union County Animal Protection shelter as models.
“We are so happy that Anthony Rubio joined our campaign,” Swarek said. “Anthony has graciously jumped on board with our #ShelterPetsProject and you will be seeing more of his masterpieces on our UCAPS kids. Along with being a master of design, Anthony also has a heart of gold. His dedication to animal welfare is truly admirable.”
A 2017 calendar, featuring UCAPS pets that have been photographed and are available for adoption, will be completed and on sale in the near future. Photographs of UCAPS dogs also appear on mugs and other items for purchase and Swarek said proceeds from the sale of calendars and other items are used to provide dogfood and other items for UCAPS.
For more information about adopting a pet from UCAPS, to volunteer, or donate, contact the UCAPS shelter, 1000 Sunset Road, El Dorado, or call 870-862-0502.