Rock and Rodeo: Vintage Gear for the City Slickin’ Cowdog

Published in Pampered Puppy .com, June 2005 Oh, we joke about it: landing at a party, strolling down the street, only to meet the twin you never knew you had. Maybe the lady’s looking lovely in your Ella Moss tank dress and Jimmy Choo spikes, or perhaps she’s feeling gushy-plush in your Juicy jog suit, blingin’ pewter Prada sneakers, and Gucci hobo bag.

Your eyes meet.

Your dogs’ eyes meet.

It’s funny.

Only seriously – why not leave those almost awkward moments to the who’s-wearing-what magazine columns? As vintage clothing gains further cred as apparel luxury, access to collectible, quality, and truly one-of-a-kind goods is as easy stopping at Local Chain Store, USA.

As easy – and much better.

And you deserve much better.

And so does your furkid.

Ask Robin Fauser, stylist and co-founder of vintage clothing company Rock and Rodeo. Based in Hollywood, the boutique caters to celebrity clients-Parker Posey has stopped by with her pooch, Drew Barrymore has browsed, Sharon Stone is a fan, etc.-along with oodles of poodles and pugs and pomeranians and their people, stylish persons who’ll probably never bump into some secret Bloomingdales twin.

“We find or create truly unique pieces. So whether it’s a concert T-shirt, cowboy boots, or a dog collar, each item is really a reflection of that individual or pet wearing that treasure,” says Fauser. “Our clients are people who want the exclusive, one-of-a-kind items that we find in vintage wear. And they certainly don’t want anything less for their pet.”

Fauser and Rock and Rodeo co-owner Mary Ossanna would know: they’ve puppy loves of their own-Coco, Lucy, and Prada-who keep casually outfitted in custom collars made of antique leather. Like the finely aged leather belts, boots, and bags offered to Rock and Rodeo’s two-legged customers, the dog collars and leashes (priced between $80-450) can be further personalized with antique studding.

Maybe if Coco, Lucy and Prada didn’t reside in the perpetual summer of Los Angeles, they’d sport the fuzzy-warm doggy duds Rock and Rodeo is better known for: ultra-luxe alpaca sweaters knit to fit (and priced between $120-450.) So till colder climates, the four-legged ladies will have to wait until Rock and Rodeo releases their line of vintage and vintage-inspired T-shirt for pets.

This line-to-be is an easy extension of the same service Rock and Rodeo offers pets’ owners: pick any T-shirt from the largest collection of rock tees the States has to offer-think rare Sex Pistols, 70′s Rolling Stones, and the Beatles-and have it personally fitted. “How frustrating is it to find a great rock tee that’s a couple times bigger than your size?” says Ossanna. “Bring in your favorite-fitting tee, and we’ll match it.”

With service truly tailored to fit each customer-opposably thumbed or not-Rockin’ Rodeo’s collection parallels that luxury with its nods to clear highs-glammy glasses and bags by Gucci, Dior, Fendi, Vuitton-and less conspicuous costlies: aged Levi’s, Lees, and Wranglers, Mr. Harley Davidson gear, and Prohibition Era Acme boots. “Our collection of vintage clothing is just that-a collection. Every item we put out has been hand-selected and carefully chosen,” says Fauser. “Our concentration has been on creating a very unique and at the same time very wearable selection.”

And beyond just offering a pretty new-to-you frock to wear, “vintage is really an investment in itself,” says Ossanna. “The collectible pieces are more of a challenge to find and are more pricey. But as with any collectible these items will retain their value-and more than likely increase in value through the years.”

With such a personal passion for viewing vintage as a high-end collectible, it seems fitting Rock and Rodeo is nestled in Los Angeles’s La Brea Avenue antique row, home of more traditionally elevated antique goods. In fact, Ossanna and Fauser first settled on La Brea and 6th to establish their initial retail venture, home décor store Chestnuts & Papaya.

The boutique spawned from the friends’ personal collections of rare and unique products found traveling the world on fashion photo shoots. And later, “on a buying trip in South America we fell in love with the woven pieces of the native people,” says Ossanna. “We created, developed, and imported Wovenworks, our own line of baskets, rugs, and accessories,” catching the attention of In Style, Martha Stewart Living, Oprah’s O, Cannes film festival, Home Shopping Network, and Disney.

Wovenworks may be best known for its hand-woven market baskets, simply chic carry-alls available in a rainbow of earthy tone and a sundry of sizes able tote anything from a teacup poodle to a toy fox terrier. Often decorating living spaces as utilitarian home accessories, the baskets quickly inspired matching dog beds.

Like the Wovenworks baskets, each designer doggy bed is hand-woven from plant fibers and hand-dyed to sky blues, grassy greens, rusty reds, or “colors can be custom-dyed to match any fabric swatch you bring in,” says Fauser. “We also make custom cushions filled with down or foam, and we’re happy to cover them with any fabric you bring in. Or you can pick from our in-house collection of vintage or vintage-inspired fabrics, or designer fabrics.”

Choice beyond simply small, medium, or large, and red, yellow, or blue a little overwhelming? Fauser and Ossanna offer consultations on living spaces and closet contents, ready to dress your house or decorate you and your pooch in a style completely custom, comfortable, and cool.

“Clients often become good friends,” says Fauser, “people who we meet with regularly, for years, about styling outfits for special occasions or finding particular pieces of furniture for their home.”

And while Rock and Rodeo and Chestnuts & Papaya are known for a certain look-mostly Western wearable meets rustic rock couture – you can be assured if you bump into a fellow fan of the vintage boutique, the only thing you’ll have in common is fashion that’s fingerprint-unique.

Along with a very, very happy dog.

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