Inside The Craft-Led Luxury Dog Brand Changing Pet Style
From Italian vegetable-tanned leather to real-world training insight, Australian brand PK9 Gear is redefining what luxury means for discerning dog owners.
4 min
For many luxury consumers, the idea of premium pet accessories has long been synonymous with designer logos and glossy marketing.
But in Melbourne, professional dog trainer Chris Loverseed is quietly reshaping the conversation around what true luxury dog gear should look and feel like.
As founder of PK9 Gear, Loverseed sits at the intersection of functional performance and traditional craftsmanship, creating handcrafted collars, leads and harnesses designed first and foremost with the dog in mind.
“As trainers, we work with dogs in real-world environments every day, so that experience directly influences how we design every piece of gear,” he told Kanebridge News.
Unlike many mass-produced pet accessories, PK9 Gear products are developed through hands-on training rather than driven by aesthetic trends.
“One of our core principles is that we only design and sell products that we genuinely use ourselves in training,” he said.
“Unfortunately, many brands create products simply to look trendy or appealing on social media, with very little consideration for how they actually function for the dog or the handler in the real world.”
For Loverseed, product development begins with performance, ergonomics and canine wellbeing.
“When I design a product, I always start with a dog-first perspective, and then consider the handler.
“That might mean looking at how a collar sits on a dog’s neck, how a lead feels in the handler’s hand, or whether a tug toy gives the dog the right grip and satisfaction when they bite.
“If a product doesn’t improve the dog’s experience and make handling easier, we simply don’t make it. That philosophy sits at the centre of everything we create at PK9 Gear.”
Defining luxury beyond logos
In a crowded market of designer-inspired pet accessories, Loverseed believes true luxury is less about branding and more about authenticity.
“Standing out from mass-produced pet accessories is actually quite simple. Using ethical labour, quality materials, and genuine craftsmanship already sets you apart from much of the market.
“But defining luxury is more complex, because luxury can mean different things to different people.”
He sees a broader shift taking place among consumers who are increasingly questioning what luxury really represents.
“I believe there is also a noticeable shift happening in the market.
“With USA tariffs and those viral videos showing how many “luxury” handbags are actually manufactured, consumers are starting to question whether luxury is simply a price tag or something more meaningful.”
Instead, he points to a growing appreciation for understated design and meticulous detail.
“For me, it is twofold. First, I believe quiet luxury is becoming the new flex, where quality and craftsmanship speak louder than visible branding.”
His work with high-net-worth dog owners has reinforced this belief.
“As a professional dog trainer in Melbourne, I work with several VIP clients who live in $40 million plus homes.
“One thing I have noticed is that people at that level are rarely trying to impress others with logos. They value craftsmanship, authenticity and products that are simply made well.”
Materials also play a defining role in the brand’s positioning.
“At PK9 Gear, we take the opposite approach. We use premium vegetable-tanned leathers from Italy, sourced from tanneries that are part of the Pelle Conciata al Vegetale consortium.”
These traditional tanning methods prioritise durability, natural finishes and longevity. Hardware choices are equally considered, with solid brass, stainless steel and 24-carat gold PVD stainless steel used across the range, alongside hand-stitched construction techniques.
“For us, luxury is not about logos. It is about craftsmanship, integrity in materials and creating gear that is functional, beautiful and built to last for both the dog and the handler.”
The rise of Australian craftsmanship
As global consumers move away from fast fashion and disposable purchases, Australian artisans are finding renewed recognition.
“Australian craftsmanship is definitely gaining global attention, and I think part of that comes from consumers moving away from fast fashion and mass production,” Chris said.
“People are beginning to value products that are made properly, with care and attention to detail.”
PK9 Gear reflects this shift by offering both accessible performance-driven products and highly bespoke pieces that showcase traditional leatherworking techniques.
“Traditional handmade products naturally come at a higher cost because of the time, skill and materials involved.
“That alone places them in a more premium or luxury category, but many consumers are now willing to pay for something that will last longer and has genuine craftsmanship behind it.
A trainer’s favourite companion
Despite working with a wide range of breeds, Loverseed has a clear personal favourite.
“If I could have only one dog breed it would be a Rottweiler,” he says.
In a luxury market increasingly driven by authenticity, longevity and meaningful design, PK9 Gear represents a new kind of status symbol.
One that values quiet excellence over overt display and performance over perception.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
A haven for hedge-fund titans and Hollywood grandees, Greenwich is one of the world’s most expensive residential enclaves, where eye-watering prices meet unapologetic grandeur.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
3 min
Mother’s Day has quietly evolved. It’s no longer about last-minute flowers or safe department store buys. Instead, there’s a noticeable shift towards gifts that feel considered, personal and, increasingly, lasting.
This year’s edit leans into that idea, bringing together pieces that balance design, purpose and a sense of story.
At the more elevated end of beauty, Australian-founded skincare label Bon Elliot offers a future-facing approach grounded in dermatology.
Its Hydrating Performance Serum, priced at $220, is designed to support the skin’s natural balance, working across the microbiome, barrier and repair response for a more refined, luminous finish.
It’s the kind of gift that feels indulgent, but also quietly practical.
For something less expected, there’s a playful turn in the form of Tinned Candle’s handcrafted pieces.
Inspired by tinned fish, the Atlanta-based studio has created candles that are as much design objects as they are functional.
Importantly, they smell nothing like sardines, leaning instead into ocean breeze or champagne notes, depending on the piece . It’s a small, clever way to bring personality into a space.
There’s also a growing appetite for gifts that give something back.
Coral adoption programs offer a more meaningful alternative, allowing you to adopt a coral in your mother’s name while supporting fragile marine ecosystems under threat from climate change.
It’s less about the object and more about the gesture, which, in many ways, feels more aligned with the moment.
Homewares continue to hold their place, particularly when craftsmanship is at the centre.
Tanora’s collection, handcrafted in Madagascar, blends traditional techniques with a modern coastal aesthetic, spanning everything from woven totes to placemats and cushions.
These are pieces that don’t just decorate a home, they add texture and narrative to it.
For something more personal, Australian lingerie label Cloud Blvd offers soft, wearable luxury in the form of robes and camisoles.
With options designed for comfort as much as elegance, they strike that rare balance between everyday use and quiet indulgence.
And for the mother who loves to host, Mesa Collections delivers a playful yet polished take on the table.
Think colourful linens, sculptural silverware and small details that turn a simple meal into something more considered.
What ties all of this together is a shift in mindset.
The best gifts this Mother’s Day aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most obvious. They’re the ones that show thought, whether that’s through design, craftsmanship or meaning.
Which, if you think about it, is exactly the point.
From mud baths to herbal massages, Fiji’s heat rituals turned one winter escape into a soul-deep reset.
From elevated skincare to handcrafted home pieces, this year’s most thoughtful gifts go beyond the expected.
