An Edinburgh Afghan hound named Samantha, who has gained a huge following online for her fashionable outfits, has landed a coveted spot in the pages of Vogue. The pooch, whose stylish looks have racked up millions of views on Instagram and TikTok, was featured in the magazine's annual canine edition.
From Lady of Leisure to Fashion Icon
Samantha's rise to fame began when her owner, Bethany Plevri, 32, started sharing photos of her in doggy jumpers and winter coats to capture her "lady of leisure" personality. Bethany soon began dressing Samantha in pieces from her own wardrobe, and the Afghan hound's long locks, which resemble blonde human hair, allowed her fur to be styled in many different ways.
In one of her most recent Instagram videos, shared with her 277k followers, Samantha can be seen with her hair tied loosely back, sporting a Vogue claw clip and a black turtleneck. The video transitions into her locks in a slick back scrunchie bun with a matching turtleneck and neck scarf.
From Social Media to High Fashion Campaigns
After posting her looks online, Samantha quickly transitioned from a lady of leisure to a working model. She was spotted by an agent and cast in an advertising campaign for Jimmy Choo. She has since starred in ads for Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and the Italian luxury perfume brand Acqua Di Parma before her big break with Vogue.
Recalling the moment Samantha was approached by Vogue's head of editorial content, Chloe Malle, Bethany told the Scotsman: "I thought it must be a joke. She said she wanted to do something cool with us, but she didn’t know what yet." She later received a message in spring asking if Samantha could model for this year's Dogue - US Vogue's annual canine edition dedicated to high-fashion dogs.
Fame on the Streets of Edinburgh
Bethany told STV that Samantha's online persona comes as a "shock" to her family, who are more used to seeing her tear around the house "winding people up". As Samantha's online fame continues to skyrocket, she is regularly recognised by fans on the streets of Edinburgh.
Bethany added: "I think that's why people love her - she's a character, she's not just a dog. And the dog that people bump into the street or see running in the park is very different from the dog behind the camera. She's definitely a character in that sense that people can relate to."
