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SP Newsletter




What is Sophisticated Pup?

Sophisticated Pup is a wonderful little company created by Michelle Cleek O'Hollaren.  Sophisticated Pup is a designer of pet apparel, collars, leashes, toys and pet beds.  It has been and continues to be a labor of love, something that keeps Michelle up at night with the wheels in her head spinning with new ideas that just can’t wait to hit the paper.  It is everything that she has ever wanted, an avenue to express her creativity while incorporating her admiration of her most adorable little pug Penny who suffers from Canine Liver Disease.   Penny's well-being is at the heart of Sophisticated Pup.  Sophisticated Pup also is active in supporting animal rescue groups within the Chicago and midwestern region.    
 
 
Who is Michelle you may ask?

Michelle is a girl with a dog, who has a passion for art and all things creative.  She loves museums and looking and talking about art, but mostly she just loves to create.  Michelle loves all things handmade, and most importantly all things PUG!  Penny is the apple of her eye and a never-ending muse.  You are just starting to see what Michelle is truly capable of with her tiny little endeavor, SP.  The best is yet to come, we hope you are along for the ride.  

 
Our Mission:

Sophisticated Pup’s mission is to create truly unique, sophisticated, handcrafted pet apparel, furniture and accessories for the most lovable of dogs- which in our eyes is all dogs!  The products are not mass-produced, and due to the handcrafted artistry that goes into every piece of clothing, furniture or accessory, only limited amounts are created.  Sophisticated Pup uses only the highest quality materials in our designs. 



Michelle Cleek O'Hollaren, President/ Lead Apparel and Accessory Designer

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Master’s Degree in Visual Arts Management, Columbia College Chicago; with other graduate work completed at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Art History, Museum Education, Web Design and Illustration!  Michelle started work on Sophisticated Pup in January 2006 after working in art education and art museums for 5 years.  Michelle has acquired invaluable experience with managing arts organizations that help to make Sophisticated Pup the organization that it is. 
 

Lynn Cleek, Lead Furniture Designer

Lynn has built furniture all of his life and has decided to dedicate his expertise in the furniture industry to the construction of heirloom-quality pet furniture for Sophisticated Pup.  He is the father of Michelle and grandfather to the most perfect pug in the world, Penny!


Penny, Lead Model, Product Tester

Penny is an American Lo-Sze Pug.  Penny came into Michelle’s world August 3, 2005 and it has never been the same since!  All products get Penny's pawprint of approval, you can tell this because they are a part of  each and every product.  Penny is a survivor of Canine Liver Disease, which makes her even more exceptional that one could imagine!

 

 

 
  
Our Goals 
  • To produce high-quality handmade pet products.
  • To provide the most personal customer service.
  • To share in the excitement of pet owners pampering their pets.
  • To allow customers to customize their purchases for the beloved pet.

 

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Penny and Michelle

Our business was founded in January 2006 with Michelle realizing that people were noticing the outfits that her pug Penny sported around the city.  Not a trip to the park went by that another pet parent didn't comment on Penny's attire and suggest that she should start selling them.  Michelle started plugging away on her line of pet products and collaborated with her father, an experienced furniture designer, on the possibilities of starting their entity, Sophisticated Pup.  Here we are years later, still designing with the best interest of our pups in mind!
 
 

                           
         Visit Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com


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