Before LUTII: The Fashion Dog Totes I Designed in 1998

Original 1998 fashion dog tote designs with heart-shaped metallic mesh windows

I came across something I hadn’t seen in years, my original dog tote drawings from 1998.

I had almost forgotten about them.

There they were: hand-drawn illustration tote ideas in cheetah, zebra, denim, satin and tapestry fabrics, complete with construction notes, prices and one detail that appeared again and again, heart-shaped ventilation windows made from metallic mesh.

Even back then, I didn’t want a dog carrier to look like a dog carrier. I wanted it to feel like a fashion handbag that just happened to carry your dog. The heart shaped metallic mesh allowed the dog to see and breathe while turning something purely functional into part of the design. Look at this mini collection, Cheetah, satin diamond, Zebrah, denim..

Years later, I began seeing heart-shaped mesh windows appear on designer pet carriers, most memorably from Juicy Couture pink plastic carriers.

Did they copy me? Who knows. I certainly can’t prove that. But seeing these old drawings again made me smile. There it was, on paper in 1998, years before I saw the idea become a recognizable feature in the fashion-pet market.

Nearly two decades later, I launched LUTII Pet Design, still doing what apparently I’ve always loved doing: mixing fashion, beautiful fabrics and a little whimsy with things made for our dogs.

Sometimes you forget how long an idea has been following you until you open an old box. ❤️ ~ Lantie, designer of Lutii pet design.