The Zoolander Of Kitty Cats

The whole allure of cute kitties going viral is nothing new to this blog ("Funny Cat Tricks"). For the past two weeks, we've been on a bit of a kitty kick. This time around, we are breaking out the close-up lens and taking in the fabulous specimen that is Toki Nantucket, the 3 year old Abyssinian, who has been glossing the front pages of internet searches with its chic fashions and en vogue flair for the camera. How did this poseur kitty's rise to fame come about?

Well, much like any industry, it's really about who you know and it just so happens that Toki's owner, Julie Song, is a costume designer, who graduated from Parsons School of Design ("Project Runway"). Last year, Julie wanted to do something special for her Christmas card photos. Tokie, being the handsome devil that he is, was a natural choice for the cover. Julie began crafting a wardrobe starting with an elf hood and the rest as they say was a wrap.

"I wasn't sure how they'd go over since most people assume that cats hate being dressed up...He took to modeling right away and is totally calm during photo shoots. It also helps that I bribe him with chicken." - Julie Song

The Christmas cards were such a hit, the photos of Toki in his wears leaked to the rest of the web. As the hits racked up, demand for Julie's kitty fashions soared. You can see her line of kitty couture at her Etsy shop, CatAtelier, where adjustable collars have been all the rage as of late. Julie Song likes to think the recent success of her CatAtelier line can be attributed to being one of the few designers crafting chic clothing fit for kittens. Maybe so, but give credit where it's due. There is no denying Toki's "it" factor. Is it really that hard to believe that there is such a thing as a feline fashion model? If anything, the "fierce" state-of-mind must surely have been inspired by cats. Why else would they call the stage for showcasing avant garde fashions the catwalk? Think about it...

Is your little friend your muse? What have they inspired you to do in your life? It could be something as basic as helping you become a more responsible individual. I'll share first. In the brief time I had the pleasure of caring after a blue pit by the name of Daisy. She really helped me to open up and not feel to conscious about public shows of affection. To anybody who has ever caught themselves contorting their voice when talking to a dog, you know what I mean. Little friends bring something out of us we sometimes thought no longer existed.