Top dog models jewel encrusted accessories
Aug 28 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post
Gladstone Collar Company launch their jewel encrusted collars and accessories _320
STEPPING out in diamond encrusted neckwear at a Wirral stately home last night, a clutch of unusual models have set a fashion first.
The models, all pedigree pets, were sporting the UK’s most prestigious dog collars and leads which were given their official launch at Thornton Manor yesterday.
Made from hand-stitched English bridle leather with sapphires, rubies and diamonds set in nine-carat solid gold buckles, the collars’ starting price is around £3,000.
The matching dog lead comes in at a cool £3,300 and the combination is being marketed as the “aristocratic must buys for Britain's designer pets”.
Owners can dress to match their pet’s outfit by splashing out on a £4,950 handcrafted belt to complement their pet’s accessories.
It has all been produced by specialist craftsmen. Materials come from Wirral, Mid Wales and the Welsh borders.
Joanna Way, of Gladstone Collar Company, admits the concept is likely to appeal to an exclusive audience.
But she said: “Something like this almost becomes an investment. It will never be mass-produced so the international market will not be saturated.
“As far as we are aware, no-one has ever before put precious stones in the tongue of a solid gold buckle or set them into the edge of a solid gold dog tag.
“Not only are these products a testament to the very best of British craftsmanship, matched by innovative design and the highest quality materials, but we hope they will become as much a design classic as they are a work of art.”
Each item is put together in Mid Wales with finished leatherwork coming in from the English border and buckles from expert jewellers on the Wirral.
The durable collar is backed with hand-stitched, soft hide and comes in a variety of shapes to suit most dogs.
The usual metalwork, including D-rings, is solid gold. So too are the buckles, dog tags and clips on two widths of lead which are set with a choice of real sapphires, rubies or, if preferred, diamonds.
Owners can chose from navy blue, red, dark Havana brown or black belts with solid gold buckles and keepers.
Joanna said: “Women or men can match with a similar dog collar and lead making a bespoke all-British combination we believe is a fashion first.”
The collar and belt combination will go on sale in Lincolnshire next week. Each sale will generate a contribution to Help for Heroes, which helps injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
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