We all share a soft spot for Spot. So on October 23rd, teams from 19 of New York’s top architecture and design firms engaged in some friendly, canine-themed competition at the Magis Puppy event, a benefit for Social Tees Animal Rescue that Herman Miller and Creative Office Pavilion co-hosted at the former’s Park Avenue flagship. With previous iterations in New York as well as in Chicago, Boston, and more, the contest’s objective is straightforward: in the weeks leading up to it, entrants must dress up one Magis Puppy, the beloved plastic dog sculpture that Finnish designer Eero Aarnio conceived for furniture manufacturer Magis’s children’s line, Me Too, in 2004. Sculptures are then presented for judging at the event.

This year’s entries produced four winners, chosen by a panel of judges that included style television personality Robert Verdi, designer Ellen van Dusen, Social Tees Animal Rescue director Samantha Brody, and We Gather founder Whitney Crutchfield. The winners were: Vocon’s plush “Cat,” awarded Best in Show; Corgan’s “Nopuchi,” awarded Top Dog for its play on the iconic glass-top Noguchi table, another Herman Miller offering; MKDA’s wax-coated “Puppy Tussaud,” awarded Best Handler; and Nelson’s astronaut-themed “Rover,” the People’s Choice winner.

The night culminated in a live auction. All 19 sculptures were sold, the highest going for $550, to raise a total of $4,000 for Social Tees.

Source: Interior Design