Gray Malin’s dogs at Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Meet Gray Malin
I had great fun shooting this collection at the legendary Hôtel Plaza Athénée. It really was a dream come true with our pick of iconic locations to choose from, including the captivating façade, the grand staircase, and a suite overlooking the Eiffel Tower. This playful series pays homage to the joys of escapism, our furry friends, and the incredible fashion, food, and culture of Paris.
A sense of arrival
From the moment they arrived at the hotel our style-conscious dogs started turning heads. It was so funny to see other people’s reactions to the photoshoot, especially when they saw an immaculately dressed dog in the driving seat of a sports car!
Bonjour Paris
Breakfast with a view is always a good idea, especially when shared with the ‘Frenchiest’ golden retriever imaginable. For the ultimate in Parisian living, we styled the shot with freshly baked pastries and the majestic Eiffel Tower added an unmistakable sense of place.
See the Seine
No visit to Paris would be complete without a tour along the Seine. Here’s the chicest poodle to act as your chauffeur for the afternoon to show you the city’s most famous landmarks. Working with animals always requires plenty of patience, but for me the results are so worthwhile.
Paws at the Tuileries Garden
One afternoon, we set up a line of chairs in the world-famous Tuileries Garden with these cuties. We arranged them up to look like any groups of locals taking time out by the fountain. It was hilarious to see other visitors to the gardens doing a double-take when they saw us.
Delicious detour
What would Paris be without a bit of café culture? Take a seat, reach for your sunglasses and enjoy the moment just as our dogs did. Anyone for macarons and a café au lait?
Spots and stripes
We also discovered the prestigious Palais-Royal’s elegant courtyard surrounded by tall colonnades, which are now home to the distinctive black and white striped columns by artist Daniel Buren. I love the striking mix of stripes with the Dalmatians’ spots.
Fashion forward
Back at Hôtel Plaza Athénée’s Haute Couture Eiffel Suite, the spirit of Haute Couture lives on. It’s the place to be for those with an appreciative eye for bespoke elegance – which these dogs definitely have.
Glamorous rendezvous
Looking for a front row seat? Rendezvous at La Terrasse Montaigne and make your own fashion statement on the avenue of Haute Couture as we did. Once you’ve explored the boutiques, you’ll be ready for some refreshment and people-watching.
It’s a dog’s life
We all deserve a relaxing break in the Parisian sunshine, while sipping handcrafted cocktails and gazing out across the city. Personally, I can’t think of a more scenic setting in Paris than the private terrace of Signature Eiffel Suite.
My Dogs of Paris prints really make me smile and I hope they bring you joy too. To see more limited-edition prints in this series, take a look at graymalin.com.
All images are courtesy of Gray Malin