Kate Middleton-Loved Milliner Swaps Princesses for Pooches to Help Shelter Pets (Exclusive)
Awon Golding has created hats for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, but once a year, she gets to dress rescue dogs in designer hats in a charity initiative she founded seven years ago.
“Making hats for rescue dogs never gets old! As fun and frivolous as it might seem, I know we are making a real impact, and I absolutely love it," Golding says. "Plus a little humor and lightness is just what the world needs right now.”
The Haute Dogs Calendar — which features 12 rescue dogs all styled in fabulous hats by world-class milliners, including favorites of the royal family such as Justine Bradley-Hill and Golding herself — is now in its eighth year. This year, the project is supporting Underdog International.
“Underdog International is unique because of how they help dogs and children. Nadine, the founder, is very passionate about education, which is so important,” Golding tells PEOPLE from her studio in East London, where she creates her whimsical and much sought-after designs. “To make a big change in the dog rescue community and in general in the world, you have to educate people, and that’s what so special about this charity."
Guided by their motto, “Children helping dogs, dogs helping children,” the U.K.-based charity is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and finding them loving homes. Through their global education program, they also connect rescue dogs with children to act as therapy dogs for young people who might find school overwhelming or have special educational needs.