Welcome to Off-Leash, a series spotlighting Biche’s community of tastemaking dogs and humans.
No one is immune to the charm of a small, fluffy Chihuahua mix. Emma Hope Allwood was born a cat person but after looking after her best friend’s PomChi, she “finally understood why people like dogs." Immediately, she began searching for a pup — and not long after, brought home her own PomChi, Spike.
“I put a deposit down and didn’t look back,” she says. Four years later, Spike is living a charmed life, modeling for Selfridges and accompanying his mom as she makes fashion magic. Emma, formerly Head of Fashion at Dazed magazine, is a London-based writer, editor, consultant, and the founder of Ursula, a creative strategy studio. If that’s not enough, she’s also the Brand Lead at Marc Jacobs.
Spike is along for the ride. According to Emma, he has a unique ability to sleep through anything: “a karaoke party, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Amsterdam dinner party scene, and the music that made my parents wonder if they needed to send me to therapy.”
Sleeping isn't Spike's only special talent. Ahead, we chat with Emma about her dog's sixth sense — and her own ability to tell when shoes need reheeling.
Emma
Star sign:
Taurus sun, Scorpio rising (shout out Kenneth Anger), Cancer moon. So an outwardly intense, inwardly emotional creature of comfort.
Spike
Theme song:
My mom says it’s the Buffy theme song, but there’s actually an old-timey circus tune playing on loop in my head
