SHIBA & Co.: No-Faux Canine Clothing and Accessories Brand
If you happen upon a Shiba Inu wearing a fancy sweatshirt with orange accessories, it most likely means one thing: that posh pooch was dressed by Nicolo Di Stefano and Jiatai Qi. Nicolo is the founder of SHIBA & Co., a luxury pet clothing and accessory brand that combines style and practical design to refine everyday moments for pets and their owners. With a long career in restaurant consulting, Nicolo is now paying homage to his Italian heritage by focusing on luxe fashions for man’s best friend.
SHIBA & Co. might use the finest products from his hometown, but Nicolo credits their marketing successes to his husband, Jiatai, who earned a master’s in marketing from New York University and whom Nicolo refers to as “the soul of the company.”
Nicolo and Jiatai, who enjoy spoiling their own pair of Shiba Inus, noticed a commonality in the quality of fun dog accessories on the market—they were never of great quality and sometimes lacked practical functionality. “Even at high prices, the quality was not there,” Nicolo recalls, noting that the fabric became ruined after a wash or two. As a joke, the duo decided to design something from luxury materials. Soon after, Nicolo’s high-fashion connections in Italy helped him to transform this playful idea into an ever-expanding luxury business.
Nicolo began by crafting vibrant orange bandanas from sustainable Mulberry silk imported from Suzhou, China (where the finest quality silk is originated and
crafted by local artisans), embellishing them with motifs of bones and tennis balls for a signature look. The company’s products are water-resistant and authentically tailored to the Shiba Inu form. The tailoring prompted Nicolo’s next idea, the Shiba Inu hoodie. “When we decided to make the first one, we said, let’s make something simple, purpose driven and elegant that goes with orange, as it’s similar to the color of the Shiba.”
The timeless style, practical design and lasting quality resulted in an unexpected upturn for Nicolo. “In the beginning, we didn’t expect to have such impressive success.” With the present demand, he’s already envisioning a more inclusive and expanded brand. “For us, SHIBA & Co. means dressing Shibas and their companions, which can be other dogs or people friends. We’ve also created a collection that’s the “& Co. part of the brand.”
This anticipated expansion will go beyond canine clothing and no matter what he designs, Italian craftsmanship is always incorporated. “We’ve just launched an accessory collection that includes leashes, collars, mini dispenser bags and bag charms that’s all made from Italian leather. We work with leather producers from Tuscany, Italy, so for me, it’s like home, this opportunity to work with native suppliers.”
Nicolo goes on to say, “We understand how important it is to find a balance between style and sustainability these days, and that’s exactly what our leather collection achieves. Our sustainable leather collection is a testament to the exquisite taste of our customers, who value an elevated lifestyle and care for the environment.” They take pride in using 100% vegetable-tanned cow leather that is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Unlike faux or vegan leather, which is essentially made of plastic and can take up to centuries to decompose or require harmful chemicals during production, their natural leather is sturdy and long-lasting, making it a timeless investment.
The collection is now available, showcasing four limited-edition pieces in their renowned orange color. Our collection boasts a Lucca Collar, expertly crafted to handle any pulling from your canine companion. The Roma Bag is ideal for carrying small essentials on long walks, such as waste bags, treats, keys and AirPods. The Otto Leash is adorned with handcrafted intrecciato weaving and is sturdy enough to withstand any pulling from your dog. Lastly, their iconic Shiba Bag Charm can be used with tracking Airtags to keep track of your belongings.
In addition to being sold online, Nicolo’s products will soon be sold in boutiques across New York City. Don’t be surprised if you see SHIBA & Co. in California as well, as the designer acknowledges San Francisco is a big market for luxury pet goods.
Nicolo feels satisfaction and joy within the world he has created. He not only gets to work with the dynamic and fun energy of dogs— he can dress his fur babies in the way he sees fit and all with the person he loves by his side.
