I don't think the animals or the dolls distract too much from the clothes themselves especially since they didn't have them all marching out with dogs, just one or two. In some ways, it enhances the beauty. Like that dress that Mariacarla is wearing with the tassles - echoing the tassles on the dog is really quite cute. Lily Cole holding a matching doll reminds me of one of those Victorian paintings of little girls playing with dolls. It's all evocative imagery.
And for ppl watching the show live, probably a sight to see as well! Afterall, catwalk shows aren't called that for nothing.....