Tired of the eyesore that is your dog kennel? Does your dog bed need a major makeover? Not sure where to start? Meet Julia Bell, the face behind the opulent brand Aristopaws. From deluxe dog mansions to plush cat beds that will put your own to shame, the latest pet products at Aristopaws are simply to die for. I caught up with Julia to get the gossip on the latest trends and why she decided to swap life as a lawyer to provide pet owners with the poshest products around.
1) What was the inspiration behind Aristopaws?
I am a qualified criminal defence lawyer. I also have two very young children and was finding that the time taken for my career was impacting upon the quality time I spent with them. I decided I needed something more flexible. Having two Persian cats, Portia and Pierre, who I struggled to find beautiful and unique products for in the UK I came up with the idea of setting up a luxury online pet boutique. It was then that the concept of Aristopaws was born. I wanted to differentiate my boutique from others on the basis of the quality and design of my products and create a ‘brand’ in it’s own right.
The aim was to provide a correlation between the interior demands of the owner with the functional needs of the animal all under one roof and to deviate from the products usually found on the high street. I wanted to showcase the world’s best products for cats and dogs and generally seek items of exceptional beauty that are either exclusive in the UK or else only sold by a limited number of retailers. I have spent over two years building relationships with manufacturers and sourcing fabulous products. I am lucky in that Aristopaws has a worldwide reach and so I am regularly contacted by new and exciting designers to sell their products which I bring to Aristopaws if I feel they are suitable.
2) What should be on every pet owner’s wish list for 2012?
Definitely a bespoke pet bed – it is very important for animals to have somewhere comfortable and safe to sleep and Aristopaws has some fantastic collaborations with leading designers that produce beds which are not only works of art that can be customized to fit in with your home interiors but also fulfil the functional requirements of the dog or cat.
3) Who shops at Aristopaws?
There is no generic ‘type’ of person that buys from Aristopaws. People who love their pets and enjoy pampering them enjoy what I have to offer because it is different. There are also prices to suit all budgets, which attracts ‘ordinary’ people through to celebrities.
4) How would you describe your signature style?
Elegant, classy, stylish and beautiful whilst modern and unique. None of my products are made in China, nor mass-produced; they are made by dedicated and talented craftsmen and designers. The unparalleled quality is such that you would expect to from the leading designers for humans. They are designed and built to enable to and your pet to gain enjoyment from them for many years to come.
5) What industry trends are set to be big this season for pet owners?
Fashion designers for pets particularly those that work with fabrics and textiles tend to take inspiration the human catwalk trends and tailor accordingly. With the Jubilee and Olympics this year British themed union jack products are doing especially well and are likely to continue throughout the season.
6) As a pet lover, do you have one tip for pet owners who love luxury?
Never allow style to usurp functionality. The ethos behind Aristopaws is very much based on the welfare of the animals. I would not sell anything that was to the detriment of our pets. Animals should not be restrained nor restricted from performing their natural behaviour. Nor would I engage with manufactures or designers who used real fur or exotic skins. Each and every living animal has the right to be respected.
7) What are your favorite luxury pet clothing and grooming brands?
In terms of luxury pet clothing I adore Vienna Couture Canine and Haute Puppy Couture. They are international bespoke designers who cater for many celebrities and television shows and their work is of exceptional quality. I am the exclusive UK seller of both. With regards to grooming brands I love Pet Head, they produce fun, natural products for dogs and cats.
8 What’s next for Aristopaws?
Aristopaws is just over 6 months old. There are many exciting times and opportunities in store for Aristopaws. I am currently busy designing a new range of Couture products, which will be completely unique and launched in stages over the coming months. I want to establish Aristopaws as a brand internationally and would also love to organize some charity events to assist some of the amazing work that people do for animals.
