lather. A Pet Bathhouse

Lather. Pet Bathhouse, located in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh, is a self-service and full-service pet grooming business founded by Jeff Manganello in 2016. The concept for Lather was inspired by Jeff’s beloved dog Bentley, who served as the muse for the brand. Bentley’s presence and spirit were woven throughout the business, from its name to the branding and design elements, making it a place where pets can feel at home. I had the pleasure of working on this project from the ground up, bringing Lather's vision to life.

This project was initially launched when I was the Chief Creative Officer at Fame15 Creative, a creative agency that I was part of until 2018, when my partner and I decided to pursue different directions. While at Fame15, I took the lead in managing Lather’s complete creative process, and even after the agency concluded, I continued to work closely with Lather, ensuring that their brand vision stayed strong and cohesive.

As the project’s creative lead, I was responsible for the entire design process, beginning with the name creation and working closely with a local artist to create an iconic illustration of Bentley. This became a key visual element of the branding. I also designed Lather’s logo, which captures the playful yet professional vibe of the pet bathhouse. Additionally, we developed a unique chalkboard aesthetic that extended throughout the branding, including a custom chalkboard pricing board for the location, giving the space a fun and inviting feel.

In addition to the primary branding work, I helped create several other key pieces to support Lather's business operations, including exterior signage, service brochures, referral cards, and appointment cards. The goal was to make sure every customer touchpoint felt cohesive and aligned with the brand. A big part of the project was also building the website, which serves as an online extension of the brand. The website was designed to be user-friendly, reflecting the business’s warm, approachable atmosphere while providing a convenient online experience for clients.

Working with Jeff and the team at Lather has been a true pleasure, and seeing the brand thrive has been incredibly rewarding. As a dog lover, this project was especially close to my heart, and it’s been a joy to watch the business grow since its inception in 2016. Lather. Pet Bathhouse is a testament to the bond between pets and their owners, and it was an honor to contribute to such a meaningful business.