Dare to Strut is more than a dog fashion show — it’s an unforgettable runway experience where couture meets canine, and community takes center stage.

Founded by event producer and storyteller Shi Choong, Dare to Strut celebrates the joy, creativity, and deep bonds we share with our dogs. It’s a space where dogs and their humans step into the spotlight together — not to compete for perfection, but to strut with confidence, personality, and heart.

Inspired by Shi’s signature empowerment platform She Dares to Rise (formerly Women Who Dare), Dare to Strut carries the same spirit of courage, authenticity, and belonging. Just as women are invited to rise into their truest selves, dogs and their humans are invited to walk the runway exactly as they are — bold, playful, protective, quirky, elegant, joyful.

This is a celebration of style with meaning, fun with purpose, and community with soul.

Event Highlights

Runway Show – Featuring couture-ready dog-and-human duos
Pet Couture Designers – Showcasing original designs by local and emerging pet fashion creators
Runway & Contest Categories – Including Holiday Couture, Couture Canines, and Signature Story Runway, judged by a panel of lifestyle and fashion experts

About Dare to Strut

Upcoming Events

📅 Date & Time
Sunday, May 17, 2026; 2-4 PM

📍 Location
Subaru of Portland - 107 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Portland, OR

Learn more - PDX

📅 Date & Time
Sunday, Jun 21, 2026; 2-4 PM

📍 Location
Seventh Place - 802 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Los Angeles, CA

Learn more - LA

Our Story

Our story begins with two fluffy American Eskimos: Snowy and Puffy.

Snowy came into Shi’s life at just eight weeks old and grew up in a loving, safe environment filled with opportunities to socialize with people and dogs. Friendly and affectionate, Snowy will happily cuddle with almost anyone she meets.

Puffy’s journey was very different.

Shi found Puffy when she was over four months old — covered in dirt, deeply traumatized, and afraid of nearly everything. Sounds, movement, new environments — all felt unsafe to her. She didn’t know how to eat treats, play with toys, or even lick ice cream. Her fear was so deep that she once held her tiny bladder for more than 30 hours rather than relieving herself in public.

Through months of patience, consistency, and love — with Snowy by her side — Puffy slowly learned to feel safe. She learned how to play tug-of-war. She learned that the world could be kind. Today, Puffy is fiercely loyal and protective of Snowy and Shi. When she barks or snaps, it’s not aggression — it’s devotion. It’s her way of protecting the family she finally learned to trust.

Snowy and Puffy taught Shi a profound truth: dogs are just like humans. Our behaviors, confidence, and personalities are deeply shaped by our early experiences and environments.

That lesson planted the seed for Dare to Strut — a platform to celebrate our beloved furbabies not just for how they look, but for who they are and the journeys they’ve walked.

Around the same time, Shi was navigating her own transformation. After turning 40, she struggled with body image for two years, feeling unworthy and unseen. Instead of shrinking, she chose to face the discomfort head-on — stepping in front of the camera through modeling and creating inclusive photoshoots that challenged traditional definitions of beauty.

Those experiences grew into a larger mission: redefining confidence, visibility, and belonging — across age, size, gender, background, and species.

Dare to Strut was born at the intersection of these journeys.

It’s a runway where rescued dogs, confident pups, shy pups, bold pups — and their humans — are all welcome. A space where stories matter. Where style is self-expression. And where joy, courage, and love lead the way.

Because every dog has a story.
And every story deserves its moment to strut.