Brighton cat stars in Vogue fashion shoot (From The Argus)

Brighton cat stars in Vogue fashion shoot

1:50pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Ben James & Ben Leo

Millie the cat is a star of print and screen

At the tender age of three, Millie has just finished her first Vogue shoot, has numerous adverts and TV appearances under her belt and has worked with some of the finest photographers in the world.

But this model is taking her fame in her stride.

Millie the Bengal cat is Brighton’s latest feline star.

Proud owner and behavioural therapist, Jo-Rosie Haffenden, 27, has trained the cat to perform a number of tricks on command.

She said: “Bengal cats are much more intelligent than other breeds so she can do all sorts.

“She can purr, yawn, and strike poses on demand and loves to swim around in the bath.”

Jo-Rosie, who also has an earless trained pit-bull terrier and a roost of four trained chickens, was working on a film with her dog when she was asked if Millie wanted to appear in Vogue.

She jumped at the chance and the pair made their way to the plush central London studio of iconic fashion photographer Graeme Montgomery.

She said: “It was great fun but bizarre.

“He was there with the models talking about shoots in Milan and Paris and I was just sitting in the corner with my cat.”

Jewellery and handbags

The shoot was for an advert for jewellery in which Millie had to pussyfoot over various models’ hands.

But despite the flashing cameras, giggling girls and a thick layer of hairspray and perfume in the air, the three-year-old was a true professional.

Jo-Rosie added: “I used to take her to the supermarket when she was young so she’s extremely social.

“When I carry her around in a bag she is very happy to just sit and watch the world go by.”

Although her owner claims that Millie’s rise to fame has not gone to her head, the Bengal cat does now have an agent. She added: “After the Vogue job I have to admit I did buy her a new bag and as she’s now bringing in a wage I’ve started buying her luxury cat food.”

But when the cameras stop rolling and Millie gets a bit of downtime, she likes to stay true to her feline roots.

Among her favourite activities are splashing in the dog’s water bowl, climbing on door frames, scuttling up curtains and messing around with her best pal Archie, the earless pit-bull terrier.

Millie’s pictures will be in September’s Vogue which is on sale next month.