Not content with with just producing fashion items for cats and dogs, brands are now targetting hamsters. Photo: AFP
Pets have become the new darlings of the fashion industry, first in the luxury sector, and now in fast fashion.
There are countless collections dedicated to our four-legged friends, with some retailers betting on petwear that's as surprising as it is improbable, including a range designed especially for hamsters.
It's no secret that people love their pets, and this love has been a boon to the fashion industry in recent years.
Some owners are ready to spend fortunes for their four-legged companion(s), devoting a hefty budget to the wardrobes and accessories of their pet(s).
This has not gone unnoticed in the world of luxury fashion, nor even in the world of gastronomy, with collections from the likes of Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton blossoming at exorbitant prices.
From a basket for €6,500 (RM32,000), to a mohair hat for €350 (RM1,700) or a coat for €710 (RM3,500), there's no doubt, some dogs and cats – including Choupette, the cat turned petfluencer of the late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld – can boast of having a wardrobe that's fuller, and more luxurious than many of their human counterparts.
Read more: Met Gala 2023: Jared Leto dressed as Karl Lagerfeld's cat, and other celebs
Shein is now dressing hamsters
This was all it took for fast fashion to jump into the world of pet clothes, sold – as you can imagine – at much lower prices than those offered by the biggest designer brands.
It's a way to bring this trend to the masses, undoubtedly, but with clothes mostly made from synthetic fibers, and especially for dogs.
Whether on the Zara or H&M websites, you can find everything from quilted jackets to Christmas costumes, as well as knitted sweaters and accessories such as baskets, chew toys, rugs, collars or even dog bowls.
However, one brand has gone even further with the launch of a collection entirely dedicated to hamsters.
An improbable line that we owe to the ultra-fast fashion giant, Shein, and which testifies to the craze – and a certain craziness – surrounding these collections designed and created for pets of all kinds.
The range features tiny clothes that are intended for these small four-legged companions, such as sweaters, hats, and even glasses.
The idea could raise a smile, if these collections weren't genuinely on the market.
And, according to the comments and opinions posted under each item, it seems that this could gradually be becoming a real business.
Still, in late 2022, the non-governmental organisation Greenpeace highlighted the potential presence of "hazardous chemicals" in Shein clothes, which could raise questions about the presence of these substances in products for animals, especially given the prices of these unusual items, starting at €0.50 (RM2.50) for a pair of glasses.
On social networks, and especially on TikTok, this collection entirely dedicated to hamsters is not a hit with everyone, with some users considering the launch to be "ridiculous".
However, there's no denying that many users seem fascinated, if not thrilled, to discover these unusual pieces – without, however, ever praising their usefulness.
In the end, it is only really the novelty and the absurd nature of these clothes and accessories – for the fashion items, at least, not for the toys – that seems to please on the Chinese social network.
This is evidenced by the interest shown in a pair of slides for hamsters.
"Shein UK, this is the best thing you've ever sold, I haven't even got a hamster, but I need them in every colour," reads one comment posted.
Read more: The 'Mermaidcore' trend fills fashion with a wave of fishnet and shells
A broader societal trend
While some brands seem to take the petwear concept a little too far, the trend is growing all over the world.
And this could be just the beginning of an even larger phenomenon.
According to The Guardian, the global petwear market is expected to be worth US$7bil (RM31.7bil) by 2032, with an annual growth rate of 5%.
A fact that should not escape the attention of fashion brands, whether they are from the luxury segment or beyond, and could even inspire many other lifestyle sectors. – AFP Relaxnews
