When posing, Merlin had his fashion likes and dislikes.  He enjoyed soft hats, like the veteran motorist's cloth cap in Road Mog but he did not too much like dressing up as the Roman senator with his laurel wreath.

Merlin's dresser at the photo sessions was an American lady, Carolyn, from California.  Some of his earlier outfits, like the Maharajah's turban came  from her own exotic wardrobe.  Belinda, a graphic artist from New Zealand, became the set and prop maker of the Cat Empire.  Whatever the decor, whether a giant Rat a l'Orange for Caterer or a string of cat-sized 'onions' for Monsieur Miaou, she had to use non-edible materials in case Merlin, a true universal gourmet, tried to eat the set!

Merlin's costumiers were Charles and Violet, a mother and son team for whom feline dress making is an eccentric sideline to their main business of making hats for humans in central London.  The costumes they made were wonderful, an achievement made all the greater as Violet admitted on the day she delivered Merlin's last costume that she was allergic to cats!

Last but not least, we are grateful to Diamond, Merlin's enchanting tabby companion, for never showing the jealousy he must surely have felt at all the attention Merlin received on photography days.  Of course, Diamond got a consolation prize each time, his own plate of smoked salmon.

The Cat Empire, 33 Westbourne Gardens, London W2 5NR, England  Tel: (44)(0)20.7229.5725  Fax: (44)(0)20.7792.9338
E-mail:  info@catempire.com