In 1999, when 47-year-old Michele Ochs decided to stitch a cloth harness for her miniature dachshund, she never dreamed it would become a national sensation. But nine years later, the Surfside Beach, South Carolina native, a designer and mother of two, has over 2,000 clients and distributes worldwide to 14 countries. Below, she dishes on how to keep your pet cute and comfy.

Both of my daughters had grown up and I was experiencing a bit of empty-nest syndrome. So I started pampering my puppy and I sewed him a red harness suit made out of tee shirt material. People kept stopping me on the street to ask where I bought it, and I realized there was a huge market for people who wanted to dress their pets. So in 2001 I took a big risk, sold my house, and moved into a motor home where I started designing. And my whole family pitched in, so it was a total labor of love. In fact, we hold business meetings on the front porch over wine and appetizers!

What makes your designs unique?

Many companies make clothes that have to be pulled over the head, which is very uncomfortable for the animal. But our mission is comfort. All our clothing can be easily strapped on and fastened with closures. That goes for everything from our bellbottom blue jeans to our muumuus and ball gowns. And we don’t sacrifice comfort for style. For example, our harnesses are built inside tee shirts so they’re hidden. We even have a patent on those.

Why dress a pet, anyway?

People really love their animals and are proud of them. After all, pets are a reflection of their owners, so it’s only natural to want to spoil them. And this trend is not just for women—lots of men have started to dress their pets too. In fact, we started receiving calls from guys asking if we had any masculine attire, so I designed a men’s line—items like skull and crossbones silver-studded tee shirts, “Security” sweatshirts and “Pimp Doggy” tee shirts. And the clothing is also popular among celebrities—former pro-wrestler and reality star Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) is one of our customers.

Can other kinds of animals wear your clothing?

Sure! We design mainly for dogs, but we also cater to cats, iguanas, potbellied pigs, and monkeys.

What’s the wackiest item you’ve been asked to design?

One client asked me to make her dog a bikini. It sure seemed like a crazy request at the time but it turned out so cute that we started a swimwear line with 13 different styles to choose from.

Got any advice for people who want to dress their pets?

One rule of thumb: Don’t dress your animal in any outfit you wouldn’t wear yourself. That means no frilly bows, buttons, or gaudy colors. Instead, aim for a simple and classy look. And never forget that your pet’s comfort comes first. In the right outfit your pup shouldn’t even be aware he’s wearing clothes.

Any plans for the future?

We just came out with an upscale—yet affordable—formal line called Mia Michele Couture. It includes wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and black, white, and navy pinstripe tuxedos. One of our customers spent $10,000 on a wedding for two Malteses and we provided all the attire. My ultimate goal is to be a one-stop shop for pet wear and accessories.