Squid Game outfits for cats the latest hit for Indonesian feline fashion designer as he eyes the global pet costume market
- Fredi Lugina started making cat costumes for a hobby, quit his teaching job to do it full time and sells them online. The pandemic more than tripled his sales
- The 40-year-old wants to expand to Japan because of its love of all things cute. He can’t wait for the reaction to his samurai, kimono, manga and anime costumes
A fashion designer in Indonesia has garnered attention for his many outfits – they include manga and anime characters and even samurai and kimono prototypes – and now he’s looking at taking his business to Japan and beyond. His clients are … cats.
Fredi Lugina, a former teacher turned cat tailor, thinks his fashions will be well received in Japan because of the country’s penchant for pampering pets, cat cafes, and a culture that worships all things cute.
Having gained millions of likes on social media for his photos and videos featuring cat models wearing colourful designs, Lugina has longed to see what Japan’s cat lovers think of his “haute couture” because of the country’s image as a global fashion trendsetter.
“I think Japan is a mecca for the world’s pet cat lifestyle with its cat cafes and restaurants,” the 40-year-old says.
He said Japan had been the inspiration for dozens of his outfits, from simple creations to more intricate designs featuring superheroes and popular online game characters. Viewed from the front, cats dressed in the costumes, which also feature arm appendages, look almost human.