Poodle Clippings: DOGS on the Cutting Edge of Style

 

Have you noticed that Poodles are popping up everywhere lately?

 

 

 

Katy Perry & Poodle. Vanity Fair Magazine, June ’11

 

 

I’ve always loved the graphic quality of black & white Poodles.

 

 

But I have to confess that Houndstooth was a pattern I associated with Terriers, not  Poodles. 

 

 

Check out this Poodle wallpaper thats covered with multi-patterned Poodle silhouettes.

 

 

A giant Poodle is sporting Houndstooth!

 

 

Poodle Wallpaper.  Image: Crown

 

 

 

The whimsical wallpaper, from Crown’s Off the Wall Collection, packs some major Poodle punch with its large repeat (about 20 inches).

 

 

 

Poodle Bath Design.  Image: Crown

 

 

 

Decorating Dogs will be inspired to use the Poodle wallpaper in any room of the house…

 

 

 

 

 

I dunno, what do you think…

 

 

Isn’t that room just begging for a pair of kitchy, vintage inspired Poodle lamps?

 

 

 

 Poodle Lamp: Image Matt Blatt

 

 

 

Of course, adding texture would definitely warm up the space…

 

 

 

 How about these Puppies?

 

 

 

Image:  Niels van Eijk & Miriam van der Lubbe

 

 

You’re right.

 

 

The Dutch designed Poodle Chairs look like they could use a little grooming.

 

 

Successful design is in the details, you know!

 

 

I wouldn’t just hire anyone to perform the clipping either.

 

 

Did you know that Poodle Clipping was once an Olympic Sport?

 

 

Seriously.

 

 

 

Image: The Independent

 

 

Poodle clipping was a demonstration sport at the 1900 Olympics held in Paris.

 

 

The “athletes” raced to clip as many Poodles as possible in two hours. 

 

 

Avril Lafoule was crowned the Olympic Champion, after clipping 17 Poodles in the “race.”

 

 

That’s 7 minutes per Poodle.

 

 

My guess is they looked like the Poodle Chair above, instead of the Dog below:

 

 

 

 Image: Interior Design Hound Collection

 

 

Meet Mr. Brown…the Edward Scissorhands of Poodle Clipping in his day.

 

 

The Poodle above is sporting Brown’s artistic vision of the Corbett-Mitchell prizefight.

 

 

Brown was known to depict other sporting events, including horse race scenes complete with the winner’s name.

 

 

Image: Interior Design Hound Collection

 

 

The Dog groomer extraordinaire had such dexterity and skill that he used the designation of Artist.

 

 

Brown would not have been an Olympic Champion.   

 

 

Many of the Poodle Clipper’s more intricate lace patterns took two sittings to complete.

 

 

He clipped an average of three Poodles per day, charging his well-to-do Dog fanciers  ₤2 2s. (about $279 today.)

 

 

 

Scottish Poodle?  Interior Design Hound Collection

 

 

Remember, if you want good design it is the quality, not  the quantity, that counts.

 

 

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,