Our Story
It All Started With a Tiny Dog Named Ju
In 2009, a dreamer from Northeast Brazil welcomed home a 45-day-old puppy named Ju. Ju was everything you could hope for in a best friend: sweet, affectionate, funny, playful, and always ready to steal the spotlight.
There was only one problem. With her short coat, she was always cold.
The month Ju arrived happened to be one of the most festive times of the year in our region of Brazil. Streets filled with music, dancing, colorful decorations, traditional food, and joyful celebrations.
So I borrowed one of my mom's old plaid shirts and transformed it into a tiny outfit inspired by Brazil's traditional June Festival (Festa Junina).
Ju loved it.
Actually...
She really loved it.
She loved wearing it. She loved the attention. She loved being admired during our walks.
And trust us—she knew she looked adorable.
People stopped us constantly to ask:
"Where did you buy that?"
And my mom proudly answer them.
"My dougther made it."
At the time, finding clothing for very small dogs wasn't easy. That's when my brother suggested:
"Why don't you start a pet clothing brand?"
I loved the idea.
I was also completely terrified.
Thankfully, my mom believed in me before I fully believed in myself.
She bought a few fabric remnants from the local market, some thread, and I got to work.
Without realizing it, Pettit was born.
A Brand Stitched With Love
Creating clothes had always been part of who I was.
Since childhood, I loved drawing, imagining, and making garments. Sewing wasn't work—it was joy.
Around the same time Ju entered my life, I had just left a job that had caused me significant anxiety. Ju became my safe place. My little source of comfort. Creating clothes for her—and eventually for other dogs—became a form of therapy, creativity, and healing all at once.
The first collection sold out quickly.
Then another. And another.
Soon, customers from all over Brazil were finding Pettit online.
Before long, pet boutiques and specialty stores began carrying our collections, many requesting exclusive designs created specifically for their customers.
At one point, nearly 80% of our production was dedicated to pet retailers across Brazil.
What began as a small creative project had become a growing business.
Sustainability Before It Was Trendy
Long before sustainability became a buzzword, we were already finding ways to create more responsibly.
We partnered with family members who manufactured children's clothing and rescued fabric remnants that would otherwise have been discarded. Those materials became beautiful new pieces for pets.
At the time, the concept of upcycling wasn't widely understood. Many people saw products made from reclaimed materials as having less value. We saw something different. We saw possibility.
As Pettit grew, our commitment to responsible production grew with it.
In our early years, textile leftovers were donated to a senior community center in our hometown, where they were transformed into patchwork quilts, pillow covers, and handmade crafts.
Today, we've reduced our textile waste by approximately 70%. The small amount that remains is collected by a local artisan who transforms it into handcrafted creations.
For us, responsability is part of who we are.
From Passion to Professional Expertise
As Pettit continued to grow, so did my desire to better understand how thoughtful design can improve people's experiences—and the products they use every day.
I earned a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design and later completed a Master's degree in Design at the Federal University of Pernambuco.
My academic research focused on design, ergonomics, usability, technology, and the relationship between people and products.
Although my studies were developed within the broader field of design, they profoundly shaped how I approach pet apparel today.
Because beautiful clothing should do more than look good. It should fit comfortably. Allow natural movement. Respect the body's needs. And contribute positively to everyday life.
These principles continue to guide every Pettit collection.
Growing Across Brazil
As the brand expanded, Pettit became known for collections that combined comfort, quality, creativity, and personality.
Our costumes became customer favorites.
Our swimwear collections gained loyal fans.
Our bathrobes became best-sellers.
And through every collection, one thing remained the same:
Ju was always our first muse.
Our Instagram became a visual diary of this journey, documenting years of growth, experimentation, learning, and unforgettable memories.
Looking back today, we're incredibly proud of every chapter.
A New Chapter in the United States
After completing my studies, life brought another exciting change. I married my husband and moved to the United States, his home country. To focus on my Master's research, I decided to pause the brand.
At first, I wasn't sure whether Pettit would ever return. Life was changing. I was changing.
And I wasn't yet certain what the next chapter should look like.
Then something unexpected happened. People I had never met began reaching out through Instagram.
Many still remembered Pettit. Many still searched for our products. Some even contacted me after discovering I now lived in the United States. Those messages became the encouragement I needed. They reminded me that Pettit had always been more than clothing.
It was connection, memory and love.
And so, Pettit came back.
Raízes (Roots), Reimagined
Our first collection developed from the United States was called Raízes (Roots).
Designed in America. Made in Brazil.
Today, I still personally develop every Pettit collection—from concept and patternmaking to fit testing and final approval.
Each design begins with careful attention to comfort, functionality, movement, and aesthetics.
Once a prototype is perfected, I work closely with the talented hands of my beloved aunt, Ana Paula, an exceptional artisan in Brazil to bring every piece to life.
It's a small-batch process.
A personal process.
A human process.
Exactly the way we like it.
Fourteen Years Later
Today, more than fourteen years after that first little plaid outfit, Ju is still the heart of Pettit.
She's no longer the tiny puppy who inspired our very first collection. She's older now. A little slower. A little wiser. And somehow, even more loved than before.
Over the years, we've shared every stage of life together—the playful puppy years, countless adventures, new beginnings, quiet moments, and unexpected challenges.
One of those challenges changed Ju's life forever. After developing a tumor, she became a tripod dog, losing one of her back legs. She also lost part of her vision. But if there's one thing Ju has taught us, it's that joy doesn't come from perfection.
It comes from love, resilience, adapting.
From continuing to wag your tail, even when life looks different than you imagined.
Watching her face every challenge with courage, dignity, and her signature sweetness reminded us of something we deeply believe:
The animals who share our lives don't love us because we're perfect. And we don't love them because they are.
We love them because they're family.
Today, Ju lives comfortably in Brazil under the loving care of my mother, surrounded by the people who have loved her since she was a puppy.
And although an ocean separates us, she remains the heart of everything we create.
That belief lives in every Pettit collection. Because every design still begins with the same simple question: Would Ju feel comfortable in this? And just as importantly: Would it make her feel loved?
If the answer isn't yes, we keep working until it is.
What Pettit Stands For
Everything we create is guided by three simple values:
​
Create With Heart
Every piece begins with genuine affection and care.
​
Spark Positive Emotions
Great design should make people smile.
​
Respect Natural Movement
Comfort, mobility, and well-being always come first.
Our Mission
To transform affection into design by creating clothing that combines comfort, beauty, and quality for the pets who are part of the family—celebrating the unconditional bond between dogs and the people who love them.
From Brazil, With Love
Pettit began as a gesture of love for one very special dog. A tiny puppy who felt cold. A young woman who loved to sew. A borrowed plaid shirt. And a dream that grew one stitch at a time.
Today, Pettit brings together the warmth and creativity of Brazilian design with thoughtful craftsmanship, premium quality, and a deep understanding of comfort and fit.
But at its heart, our purpose remains exactly the same as it was on day one: To celebrate the extraordinary bond between people and the dogs they love.
And that's a responsibility—and a privilege—we never take lightly.
Welcome to Pettit.
We're so happy you're here.