Assouline is back with a visually captivating book, and this time, it pays tribute to the most stylish canine companions throughout history, from Maria Callas and her poodle, Winston Churchill and his bulldog, to Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved corgis and Coco Chanel’s pooches.

Penned by the Paris-based luxury editor, Robert Williams, Chic Dogs delves into the special bond between renowned figures and their beloved canines throughout history; as the author says, “Dogs bring you into the here and now in a way that is increasingly rare, and therefore chic.”

More than mere companions, dogs have long been symbol of luxury and elegance, charming royalty, aristocrats, the stars of Hollywood and the fashion set, both past and present, so it’s only right then, that there should be a title dedicated to our beloved pooches.

In the pages we see pooches and their fashionable owners, including the Queen of England, Coco Chanel, Azzedine Alaïa, Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Baroness Fiona Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Frank Sinatra. Admittedly, the author finds it hard to choose a favorite, “So many. There’s a painting by the French artist Schlosser of a dog with his snout nestled in the crook of a woman’s waist. So graphic, so intimate. Elizabeth Taylor dressed up like her Shih Tzu. Peggy Guggenheim with her dogs in Venice.”

As for the books conception, it all started last spring when Robert had a coffee with Martine Assouline in Paris, and it was here where “she shared her idea about doing a book about “beautiful dogs, pretentious dogs, royal dogs, artist dogs and spoiled dogs.” Chic dogs! It all came together rather quickly after that, because once you start looking for chic dogs you realize they’re everywhere.”

A book with some buzz around it, people heard about the project and started sending in their images and stories for possible use, and Robert shares, “soon it was more about curating examples and figuring out how they could fit together in a text.”

Delving deeper, the book explores the rich history, culture significance, and the important role dogs have played throughout time, and as such, Robert also “interviewed some historians, curators, dog groomers, dog influencers and more—it’s a light-hearted subject, but we wanted the book to be grounded in research, to define a fresh point of view. I gravitated to stories about iconic dogs who have actively participated in and really even shaped the lives of iconic people. There aren’t many dogs you would call chic in isolation—maybe more often beautiful, cute, spoiled. Chic dogs are chic in dialogue with people, either by the way they look together, or the way they fit into each other’s lives.”

Blending fashion, fame, history, and culture, Chic Dogs beautifully showcases the best of our furry friends through time, capturing their poise, elegance, and glamour. In true Assouline fashion, this exquisitely crafted and stylish book is also full of fascinating and fun anecdotes, making it a true delight and the perfect title for dog lovers worldwide.

Canine Chronicles

Dog hotel stays: Book a dog-friendly hotel stay, at Holmes Hotel in Marylebone dogs of all sizes can enjoy luxury services and a cozy stay with a plush bed and a welcome basket of treats. The ‘dog-cierge’ service helps guests find the best spots for walks and play in London. There’s also the luxurious Hilton London Park Lane, overlooking Hyde Park, the perfect spot for walkies. If you’re in East, The Hoxton, Shoreditch, welcomes one dog per room (up to 40 lbs) at no extra charge, providing a bed, bowl, collar, and leash, along with a curated list of nearby dog-friendly spots.

Dog-dedicated jewelry: The most fabulous of jewelry brands, Irene Neuwirth offers a Pet Portrait Collection, allowing you to transform a photo of your dog (cat, goldfish, horse, bunny, or any beloved pet) into a gorgeous, customized charm or ring. The mini pet portrait can be framed with a diamond pavé, set within a full-cut diamond Frame, or painted onto a heart charm, among other options.

With a nod to British aristocracy, historic brand Pragnell offers an intricately carved amethyst stick pin from the Belle Époque period, shaped like a greyhound’s head and finished with a polished yellow gold collar. Greyhounds were highly regarded in both France and England, symbolizing hunting and serving as pets to royals, including Prince Albert and Queen Alexandra.

Doggie retail: Le Bon Marché in Paris has become a dog lover’s paradise with its pop-up exhibition ‘Je t’aime comme un chien’, featuring three floors dedicated to pooch parents that’ll run until the 20th of April. Another luxury retailer, Selfridges has a fun project in the works, it’s picking 10 dogs and owners for a #SelfridgesObsessions photo shoot in London and Manchester with photographer @jakubgessler. Pooches will be pampered with puppuccinos and even a doggy butler!