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Kiko's Korner
Tiny doggie heaven comes to Holt Renfrew
by Judi McLeod
October 15, 2004
Not all of the stylish shoppers flooding Toronto's Holt Renfrew leave wafts of Channel No. 5 in their wake. And some of Holt's newest customers are sporting coifs that are downright fluffy.
Insatiable childlike wonder and the signature femininity of Kazumi Himeda led her all the way from Osaka, Japan to the main floor of the world famous Bloor Street flagship store. That's the Canadian location of Kazumi's creation, Princessfield Boutique.
For tiny dogs of the type that can be carried about in brand-name handbags, such as Puchi and Juicy of California and Emre New York, Princessfield Boutique is sheer doggie heaven.
That's because Princessfield was assembled with all the passion of a dog lover whose little poodle, Pom was killed in a Bloor Street car accident.
These days, Kazumi's new dog, Bunnie models the high-end accessories for tiny dogs at her stores. A second Princessfield in Tokyo triples the Toronto original in floor space.
In the accessory line, tiny dogs now rival the world's finest dolls. At Princessfield there are miniature raincoats, hooded windbreakers, casual house dresses, cashmere sweaters fashioned from the real thing by a New York designer, shirts from Hawaii--just like Uncle Harry's ($60 to $80) and with its price tag of $580, a racy red leather coat with black-dyed fur of genuine Canadian beaver.
If you're one of those dog lovers whose pet insists on riding along in your convertible, dog sun goggles, or "doggles" are now available at Holt Renfrew's Princessfield.
If you are planning to replace your pooch's harness before Christmas, a silver leather one from Italy is available for $80.
Like the perfumed two-legged customers who shop at Holts, Princessfield offers an array of scented items. For the tailwaggers, there's a full range of shampoos and French perfumes.
If your Fifi is still sleeping in a much chewed upon basket, check out the indoor tents, elegantly Arabesque in design.
The creator of Princessfield looks to Elle Wood of Legally Blonde movie fame as her hero.
The young woman, out there making a name for herself in the world of high-end fashion accessories for tiny dogs, sends out press releases with grammar and spelling errors. But the charm of Kazumi's message comes through all the same.
The late Pom was male but was turned out in ribbons and bows.
Kazumi's love of tiny dogs started her off on a road that led to gigantic ideas that work.
"We see it as a fabulous opportunity to target what is a very solid trend for our customers, catering to the pet lover," says Holt's spokesperson Janet Eger. "This is a trend that's emerging all over North America."
Canada Free Press founding editor Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck and The Rant. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
