“They had too much luggage,” said Bruce Weber, explaining why he didn’t bring his dogs to the European launch of the pet accessories line on which he collaborated with Shinola. But his five golden retrievers already had given their seal of approval. “They are really particular, very critical. At first, they didn’t sleep on the beds because they had their own, but now I can’t get them off the beds. They love the collars, but they go with them into the water all the time, and [the collars] are made of leather. And they like the toys. They are really liking the stuff now,” the photographer said
Fans had come to Colette on Thursday night to purchase one in a series of 100 limited-edition posters, shot and signed by Weber, who is working on a documentary about Robert Mitchum, slated to premier in 2015. “The proceeds are going to a charity [Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis], which helps rescue dogs,” he said, still mourning the loss of his own beloved rescue dog, Billie Holiday. “She was my sixth dog. Now, I just have five,” said Weber, showing off the last image he shot of Billie engrossed in reading “The Value of a Smile” by Wilbur D. Nesbit.
The accessories line, which is made in the U.S., is also helping small businesses in the country. “So many factories across the Midwest and even in the North and South closed when the economy fell through. But Tom Kartsotis [the founder of Shinola] really believes in reviving small businesses, giving people hope and work. It’s healthy and interesting, and it’s something I want to be part of,” Weber said.
