GS PETS Summer 2019

Meet the Maker: Ruffina By Sam Ujvary

In New York City, anything goes when it comes to fashion. So when Joan DeCollibus showed up at the dog park with her miniature poodle, Ruby, in matching apparel, other dog owners took notice. She quickly started working on the pattern for human snoods and gloves to match their pups and is now the founder, designer and CEO of Ruffina.

The bright and bold color palette in DeCollibus’ collection is the polar opposite of the traditional New Yorker’s all-black ensemble, but it is totally Manhattan-appropriate. Gift Shop Pets spoke with DeCollibus to learn more about her line.

Gift Shop Pets: When did Ruffina get started?

Joan DeCollibus: I had been making clothing for my little dog since the year 2000. It wasn’t until I was looking for a career change that I thought seriously about starting my own company. It was in late 2016 when I left the corporate world to devote all of my time to my brand. Ruffina finally took off in June 2017.

GSP: What was the idea behind starting your own company?

JD: I’ve always loved little dogs. With those cute noses, big eyes, waggly tails; they’re smart, they’re social, they try harder. For all my little dogs, past and present, I couldn’t find cool, un-fussy (and) un-frilly clothing and accessories designed just for them with a modern clean design sensibility. I set out to design and produce dog clothes and accessories that I would wear if I were a dog!

GSP: Love the name! How did you come up with it?

JD: When naming our new company, I turned to my Italian heritage. I get a lot of my strength from the family of makers who came before me. My mother was an excellent seamstress who taught me to have the courage to sew anything. My father was a leather craftsman who taught me how to make patterns from scratch. Ruffina means redhead in Italian, and Ruby, my little apricot poodle, is my special redhead.

GSP: How many skus and color options do you have?

JD: (We have) over 100 skus. The Bood and The Snood come in 6 different colors; red, grey, black, orange, pink, and blue.

GSP: Which are best sellers?

JD: With the recent launch of The Bood and The Snood, they have quickly become our best-selling product. Although the Human Blanket is not far behind as it not only offers a modern clean design but also warmth and coziness.

GSP: What will the next five years look like for Ruffina?

JD: We are going to expand our clothing line with a raincoat. We have just launched a line of hand-drawn greeting cards. I appreciate how dogs bring us together. Themes around a dog’s life are intertwined with the people who love them – birthdays, friendship, bereavement and bringing home a new member of the family. When a friend of mine lost her pet, I drew an illustration and made it into a card. She loved it and I decided that a line of greeting cards was the perfect addition to Ruffina’s product line.

Sam Ujvary

Sam is the managing editor of Gift Shop Pets, Museums & More and Party & Halloween Retailer, and is a contributing editor for Gift Shop Magazine. She has a copywriting background and has been in publishing for six years.