I catch myself eyeing Staud bags way more frequently than my bank account will allow. Last week, I found myself hovering over the “Add to Cart” button for the Los Angeles-based label’s Black Millefiori Tommy Bag. And now, I’m doing the same for the brand’s pet portrait collection, which launched amid the coronavirus pandemic this time last year. The line is comprised of customizable handbags and apparel that the brand will customize with your furry companion’s face. The service was born to celebrate your pup in a chic, non-corny way, and it’s since been raved about by countless dog moms, including Emily Ratajkowski.
Staud co-founder and creative director Sarah Staudinger’s goal in creating the line was to create pieces clients could cherish for life. “Every time I look at my dogs, I smile,” she says in a statement. “We wanted to give that same joy our pets give us through these custom pieces.” In honor of the collection’s first anniversary, Staud is expanding the range to include more of the brand’s signature styles: the Rey handbag in tawny, the Kaia shoulder bag in tan, white, black, and the Paola cardigan in camel, dune, and black. Malibu-based artist C.Bonz is the artist behind the hand-embroidered designs, expertly and uncannily perfecting each pet’s likeness down to the little details.
How the process works is that you first select the Staud item you’d like customized. Then, you add your pet’s name (or not—your choice!) as well as a photo. The artist will embroider only your furry friend’s face, so make sure the picture is crystal-clear if you want to ensure that your pet’s unique features make their way into the design. Despite the abundance of dogs in brand photos, the line’s not limited to pooch artwork. In an interview with WWD in September 2020, Staudinger revealed that the pet portraits run the gamut, from canines to reptiles. “We have done chameleons and parakeets,” she told the outlet. “Our chief financial officer even got his chicken’s portrait.”
Take note: In honor of National Pet Day on April 11, Staud is offering 25 percent off all custom pet collection items from April 8 to 12 when you use the code “ANNIVERSARY25” at checkout. Ahead, check out photos of customized creations of the brand’s three newly added styles, as well as a handful of GRAZIA’s favorites.
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