Dogs and cats from the Humane Society strut in style with tail-wagging accessories from Paw Paws USA
“I’ve always considered myself a fashion designer for dogs,” reveals Anne Nutter, founder of the iconic Upstate pitstop for pup lovers and cat fans: Paw Paws USA. “When I started Paw Paws in 2003, I’d just adopted my dog, Peanut. I wanted a collar that reflected her unique personality and my love for her—so I tried to make one.”
At the time, the entrepreneur had left a career in jewelry design to pursue a business degree. Her marketing class project was to create a product and promote it. Naturally, Nutter presented her newest creation: beautifully crafted, colorful collars. When other students immediately ordered one for their own dogs, a lifelong passion—and new business—was launched.
“I couldn’t believe the success—but then I did my first little farmers market and made $300 and thought, ‘Wow, I’m rich!’,” Nutter says, laughing. “I got so much energy from seeing how excited people were when they bought something for their dog.”
Nutter began designing her own patterns and invested in an industrial sewing machine. “I wanted the product to be durable, not just beautiful. It had to actually restrain a dog. So that led to all these other avenues of product development.”
Paw Paws Collars
Wholesale at first, Nutter shipped her products to independent pet boutiques across the country. She eventually caught the attention of famous fashion designers and gift buyers for the White House, who commissioned her to design private-label collars that went on to strut the Fashion Week runway in New York City and pop up in photos inside the Oval Office.
The next creative boost for Nutter came behind a camera. “I got into photography, and taking photos of the products on dog models. At that point, I would eat, sleep, and dream Paw Paws collars,” says Nutter. “It was easy for me because I loved what I was doing, and how dog owners would light up when I would ask if their dog could model for me.”
Paw Paws’ first brick and mortar location was on McBee Avenue in downtown Greenville. “We’ve since moved into a new location in the West End, near the baseball field. We have a lot of customers that have shopped with us for years, but there’s also a lot of new customers that come in and ask how long we’ve been in business—and they usually can’t believe the number,” adds Nutter, who never grows tired of the fun she has at work—for over two decades now.
When you walk into Paw Paws, expect to find more than gourmet dog biscuits, sweet potato ice cream, and heathy, gently cooked food from Open Farm; fresh, fun new styles and trends abound. “There are staple patterns like polka dots and gingham on our walls, but I also like to create collections around new themes,” says Nutter. “For instance, we have a farmers- market-inspired collection, and we’re getting ready to do a food line featuring popular things like sushi, avocados, and ice cream. Embroidery is really popular now, too—seeing your pet’s name on their collar or bandana just makes you happy.”
Fun Fashion Fact
Paw Paws’ first space was once a sewing shop, and still had a Rolodex of famous designers’ numbers inside, including Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford, and Ralph Lauren.
From NYC Runway to Capitol Hill
Through her ‘private label’ programs, Nutter’s collars have walked the Fashion Week runway for designer Thom Browne and been given as presidential-themed gifts at the White House.
TOP 3 TRENDS IN PET FASHION
- Cowboy everything, including dog boots
- Fun foods: ice cream, sushi, avocados
- Personalization, such as embroidery
