Custom couture for beloved pets

Melissa Gillbard has combined her love of dogs and a passion for sewing in her business, Zed Pet Apparel. 

The Holmview entrepreneur, who is also studying for a PhD and has a second business selling children’s clothes, had always struggled to find coats and onesies for her Great Danes. 

Currently dog-mum to Bruno, 4, and Willow, 9 months, Melissa started her business 5 years ago. A fan of dog fashion to keep her short-haired dogs warm, she was prompted to begin after she started to design and make coats for her own dogs. 

‘Before Bruno and Willow, I had another Great Dane, Diego, and my mum had one, Zelda, and we could never find anything close to fitting them,’ she says. 

‘I started to make my own and shared them to some Great Dane online communities and straight away I got interest from other dog owners who wanted me to make something for their dogs.’ 

Melissa custom-makes all her dog onesies and coats, catering to all sizes – from chihuahuas to greyhounds,  dachshunds to staffies – and, of course, Great Danes. 

‘The first year I was in business I only did Great Danes, but fitting is an issue for many dogs. So I soon started making items for any dogs and then developed my website, which has a guide for measuring your dog so customers can ensure what I make is the perfect fit,’ she says. 

Melissa now provides her pet apparel to customers all over Australia and has sent her product out to 14 countries. She makes more than 500 dog coats and onesies each year – and it’s all from the home she shares with her partner, Bruno, and Willow. 

‘It is perfect for me to be able to work and be with the dogs all the time too – I taught myself how to sew when I was in high school, asked my mum for a sewing machine one Christmas and haven’t looked back,’ Melissa says. 

She now has 6 sewing machines and a room filled with bright fabrics. 

‘I love it – and it’s so special when customers send me photos and videos. I love seeing them! You see so many dogs who haven’t had coats or onesies before and so to see them is a really nice reward for me,’ she says. 

‘They are so cute of course but it’s really for warmth and comfort for those short haired dogs in winter.’ 

She has a soft spot for all dogs, but Melissa says Great Danes will always have her heart. 

‘They are the snuggliest dogs – Bruno and Willow love nothing more than to climb up to the couch or the bed and cuddle, they really think they are lap dogs. They have such a beautiful nature – no one can love you like a great dane.’ 

For more information about Zed Pet Apparel, head to Melissa’s website and Facebook page.