Local Dog Fashion Goes Nautical for America’s Cup
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Let your pooch declare its America's Cup excitement via semaphore with Up Country's "Sail Flags" collar.
The collection is the latest from Up Country, the Providence-based maker of collars and leads, accessories, treats, toys and more for dogs and cats. Founded by Alice Nichols, the company is a nationally recognized player in an industry that brought in more than 51 billion dollars in 2012, including revenue from pet stores, groomers and boarders, veterinarians and online suppliers.
Nichols has four America's Cup-inspired styles at the ready for hounds of all shapes and sizes: Anchors Aweigh, Sail Flags (shown right), Sailing Fleet and Stars and Stripes. The collars are available in sizes XS-XXL and are $21. Leads come in 4’ and 6’ lengths and are $20 or $21. Even the hardware is boat-tested: the quick-release buckles are Coast Guard-approved for high weight hold. (The collars are machine-washable, which is owner-approved.)
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTUp Country's expert in canine couture: Alice Nichols
Nichols knows her trends when it comes to canine couture--she's been at it 28 years. She was working as head of the middle school at a small private school in Providence and wanted to work on a project of her own. She researched business trends and found that the pet industry was historically recession proof and growing. Having recently adopted a German Shepherd, Nichols was struck by the limited options in dog wear. The pet industry was growing at a tremendous pace but there was little in the way of design, color and style.
As a high school exchange student, Nichols spent her junior year in Sweden living with the family of a textile designer. The Swedish use of design to transform utilitarian objects into something special by adding color and pattern made a lasting impression. Taking this concept, Nichols decided to apply it to the pet industry. In 1984, dogs had simple nylon or leather collars that sported little or no decoration. When Nichols designed the first Up Country collars, people thought she was crazy. No one would buy them; they were too expensive and too fancy for dogs who roll in the mud. In fact, the advertising agency engaged to name the company decided a generic name like Up Country could be used for other products when the dog collar idea fizzled.
Ahead of the trend, and an industry leader
Since its founding, Up Country has grown from six designs sewn in Nichols’ basement to more than120 designs sewn by 30 employees in a state of the art Rhode Island factory. The line has grown to include toys, treats, bowls, beds, and a fun and colorful line of gift items designed by local Rhode Island artists. Nichols has also worked with a RISD industrial design professor to invent a pet tag holder to make changing tags easier. The patented Henley clip allows the Up Country customer to change their collars in a snap.
All products are available online at www.upcountryinc.com. To check out Up Country's online catalog, go here.
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