This was published 7 years ago
Dogs dress up for Paws for Art at National Gallery of Australia's Versailles
By Stephen Jeffery
The Queen's corgis faced stiff competition for the title of world's most regal canines on Saturday.
Canberra's pooches donned their finest drapery for the National Gallery of Australia's Paws for Art, which tied in with the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition.
Sarah Haora with Maluka, the day's best dressed pooch.Credit: Rohan Thomson
Dog owners brought their pets outside the gallery to indulge in a pampering fit for a king and dressed them in pup-sized capes, crowns, tiaras and ballgowns from the age of Marie Antoinette.
Demand for pooch photo shoots in their finery was so great that organisers kept the booth open for 90 minutes longer than originally intended.
The best dressed competition winners, Bryn Cameron and Bella, Sarah Haora with Maluka, and Jessica Kelly with Dougal.Credit: Rohan Thomson
There were also French-themed foods for dogs and their human friends, childrens' activities, live music, curators' talks and a best-dressed competition.
The first prize went to Maluka, a two-year-old dachshund belonging to Sarah Haora from the Blue Mountains who was no stranger to costume contests.
She also appeared with Peking Duk on the ARIA red carpet last year.
Earlier, Maluka came first at a rock and roll dress-up competition on the Gold Coast and attended the Mad Hatter-themed high tea at EPIC's A Pooch Affair on Tuesday.
Dogs dressed up in regal French costumes.Credit: Rohan Thomson
"We try and get to as many events as we can, she loves dressing up more than anything," Ms Haora said.
"The dress is inspired by the 1783 formal portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette that is on display in the gallery today. We love the dress, we love ballgowns, so why not have one for the puppy too?"
NGA assistant director Alison Wright said there had been an overwhelming response to the day from Canberra's dog lovers.
She said the crowd numbers exceeded expectations.
"It's a way for people in Canberra and the surrounding area to come together and celebrate life and fun and all things Versailles, it was a really great day," she said.
"There's nothing like a photo booth for you, your pooch and dress up to get us all out of bed early in the morning, it was really fun."
The doggy day of art continued into the afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery next door, where animal portraits were drawn.
There was also live music, pats with young AFP dogs and children's activities to keep the crowd entertained.
- with Jil Hogan