Hats Off: Celeb Milliner for Meghan Markle and Lady Gaga Creates Adorable Rescue Dog Calendar

The woman behind hat creations for Meghan Markle and Lady Gaga has a new hat project – and it includes amazing rescue dogs.

London-based milliner Awon Golding teamed up with other designers to create a beautiful calendar featuring rescue dogs modeling one-of-a-kind hats with proceeds going to Wild at Heart Foundation, a nonprofit that helps strays all over the world.

_{Cover girl Maggie wearing a hat by Awon Golding. Now a fabulous diva, Maggie was found tied up and used as target practice while pregnant in Lebanon. Photo credit: Aurélie Four}

“The project is a combination of my love of hats and passion for giving dogs in need a better life,” Golding tells This Dog’s Life.

For the 2021 calendar, Golding wanted to support Wild at Heart Foundation after following its rescue stories on social media.

_{Millie wears hat by Giulia Mio. Rescued after being shot in the face as a puppy, her human considers her the smartest dog she knows. Photo credit: Aurélie Four}

“Wild at Heart’s mission to end the suffering of stray dogs all over the world really resonated,” she says. “Their global rescue initiatives, adoption, and sterilization projects, along with their awareness and education campaigns are awe-inspiring. To be able to say that I helped them in their mission in even a small way makes me so happy.”

All dogs featured in the calendar have their own special yet sad rescue story – from being used for shooting practice to thrown out in a bag. Despite having a rough start in life, they were pros for the shoot (and they are also living a happily ever life).

HauteDogs_July_AoifeKirwan_Caramel — ^{Caramel wears a hat by Aoife Kirwan. Caramel was found dumped in a cardboard box, but now spends her time chasing butterflies — and big dogs! Photo credit: Aurélie Four}

“We had no problems or ahem accidents,” says Golding. “They say don’t work with animals or children, but I can categorically say that’s not true, you just need delicious treats!”

Now in its third year, the calendar project was inspired by Golding’s own dog, Stevie. A Staffordshire Bull Terrier, she was adopted seven years ago and while she looks like a “total bruiser,” Golding says she wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Awon Golding and Stevie — _{Awon Golding and her rescue dog Stevie. Photo credit: Chris Dametto}

“I wanted to show the world that these rescues with horrible starts in life were also worthy of love and affection,” she says. “ The photographs in the calendar show that these forgotten dogs are also special, too.”

The Haute Dogs project is currently on crowdfunding site Indiegogo and calendars cost $19 each.

HauteDogs_April_StephenJones_elli — _{Elli wears a hat by Stephen Jones OBE. Rescued in Cyprus, Elli was found in a cardboard box. Now she lives with a dog friend, enjoys “chattering” and long naps. Photo credit: Aurélie Four}

“Not only do you get an entire year of beautiful dogs wearing incredible hats, you also know that your contribution went towards more doggies living their best lives off the streets and in loving homes,” she says. “It’s the ultimate calendar with a heart.”

We couldn’t agree more. Hats off to the Haute Dogs project.

By Andrea Huspeni

Andrea Huspeni is the founder and CEO of This Dog's Life. Her mission it to help dogs live a happier, healthier and longer life. When she isn't working, she spends time with her two dogs, Lola and Milo. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.