In Kuala Lumpur, an “entrepreneur couple” celebrated their pet cat’s birthday in an LV boutique. Seriously. The store staff was in it too. Meow-velous?

Mohd Rosli Awang, the cat, and Haliza Maysuri. Photo: halizamaysuri/Instagram

The feline was perched on a stack of three Louis Vuitton trunks in an LV store to pose with her excited owners. It was, as they announced on Instagram, the two-tone cat’s birthday, and the luxury boutique, not a cat café or hotel ballroom, was where it celebrated the grand occasion three days ago. The seven-year-old cat belongs to a publicity-loving “entrepreneur couple”, according to Malaysian media, in the local fashion industry: Mohd Rosli Awang and his wife Haliza Maysuri, founders of Bawal Exclusive (named after ikan bawal, the pomfret), a 25-year-old Malaysian company that retails modest fesyen suitable for Muslim women.

The cat is named Money, and to show that she lived up to her moniker, she was extravagantly togged for the occasion. Mr Awang told the Malaysian media that his beloved kucing (reported to be a Persian cat) “nak pakai baju haute couture (wanted to wear an haute couture outfit)”. But rather than fly to Paris to have the cat’s dress made-to-measure, they took the fashionable feline to local designer, Rizalman Ibrahim, whose offerings are self-touted as “couture”. Money wore a gauzy, grey, three-tiered number that was speckled with Swarovski crystals. The dress overwhelmed her, but the domestic carnivore seemed indifferent to her attire, even her retail surroundings—the LV butik in The Gardens Mall, Mid-Valley City, in southwestern Kuala Lumpur.

Cake for the cat. Far left, Money and Haliza Maysuri. Photo: halizamaysuri/Instagram

It is not clear if the store was shut for the celebration, but according Malaysian media, the bash was “held behind closed doors”. The couple arrived at Louis Vuitton, curiously carrying Money in what seemed like a Goyard tote. Their son and daughter-in-law were in attendance, as well as other celebrants—as it appeared. Ms Maysuri shared on Instagram images of the day, which included a reel showing a suited LV staffer, accompanied by three SAs, bringing out a white kek (with icing of a cat’s face), on which two pink candles were planted, and singing the Birthday Song to the animal. It appeared that Money was presented a gift by the cake bearer: a monogrammed clutch with an illustration of a cat on the surface. Even late Karl Lagerfeld’s celebrated Choupette had never enjoyed its birthday in a Chanel store.

According to Mr Awang, the in-store party for his pet is “pertama kali dalam sejarah (the first in the history of) Louis Vuitton Malaysia”. We did not know that LV even allows pets within their doors. Although the brand’s Malaysian office has not commented on hosting such an unusual event, Netizens responding to Ms Maysuri’s posts did not appear supportive of the puzzling extravagance. As with most appearances in a luxury retail post, spending is necessary. It is not known if LV paid for the cake and refreshment—orange juice was consumed—(or the supposed gift), but it is unlikely that Mr Awang and Ms Maysuri, even if VVIPs, would host a party in the store without giving LV sizeable business in return.

Haliza Maysuri posing with Money. Screen shot: halizamaysuri/Instagram

As it turned out, Ms Maysuri picked out a pet carrier for her Money. (This was not the first time her cat received an expensive gift. In 2022, it was given a gold chain reported to cost RM25,000 or S$7,153. This did not include the expensive wardrobe available to the animal.) In the reel she shared on IG, the staffer who presented the birthday cake showed her what seemed to be the ‘Dog Bag’ in monogrammed canvas on an iPad, and she was thrilled. Presumably, a cat could be comfortable in it. She asked the chap how much it cost, and he dutifully replied “tujubelas ribu” or seventeen thousand (RM, about S$4,865. It is, however, listed online for S$5,150). She repeated the price with palpable delight. And then she exclaimed, directing the cat’s attention to the carrier (it wasn’t interested): “birthday present ni, cantik nya (this birthday present, is very beautiful)”. When someone (unseen) took a look, she added “custom ni.”

It is not clear why Louis Vuitton Malaysia had agreed to the party for the pet. Or, if the event—and resultant social media publicity—would augment the brand’s luxury standing in the peninsula, and its cat-friendly stores. LV is increasingly seen among the discerning, especially in Europe, to have lost considerable luxury appeal, to the point that the brand is even considered déclassé. The visible queues outside many LV stores everywhere (Champs Elysées!) regrettably often validate that belief or reduced appreciation of the brand. Many Parisians do not even consider LV “true luxury”. Perhaps, luxury consumption in Kuala Lumpur is different. A puss, even not in boots, could be a good, if indifferent, brand ambassador.