My big BREAK

CATHERINE YOUNG

Founder/Creative director, Sparkles the Dog

There probably aren’t too many people who can say a supermodel gave them their big break. But that’s what happened to Catherine Young. It was 2006 and the now 46-year-old had returned to Wellington after spending four years working as an analyst for several Melbourne banks. Recently married to Darren Stafford, an accountant she met in Australia, Levin-born Catherine was busy making inroads into a banking career in Wellington. But then a 5kg bichon frise/miniature poodle named Sparkles came into her life.

“I wanted to give Sparkles the best care I could,” says Catherine. That included keeping her tiny ball of fluff warm and stylish during winter. “But I couldn’t find any jumpers that weren’t polyester, synthetic or plastered in logos. I wanted something natural that would look good but also be comfortable to wear.” Figuring she could do better, Catherine turned down a banking contract to research materials and patterns, and find knitters for her range of dog sweaters. She launched