February 21, 2012

Talk-To-Me Tuesday...with Kristal Lee!

I am over the moon about today's guest blogger, Kristal Lee from Atutudes Handmade Tutu's.

Kristal creates simply the most amazing tutus that I have ever seen! We met by way of the Artisan Group and it was a match made in heaven! She's even going to be decking out some of my models for my spring photo shoots with Hanlon Lain Photography!!


How did Atutudes get it's start?

My best friend, Jennifer, and I were planning her daughter Elan's first birthday party. We were looking for just the right outfit for her big day. Not finding what we were looking for, we decided to do some research and see if we could learn how to make our own tutus. Once we learned how to make them, we were hooked! It was so much fun to create beautiful things. We thought, Why not try to make a career of it?

Why do you love making tutus?

I love to have a creative outlet. I am a very girly girl. I love fashion and celebrities. I love anything that is glamorous. I have a special affection for things vintage and retro. It is fun to be able to see something that inspires me and create my version of that for little girls to get all dolled up in. They are very popular for flower girls, photo shoots and birthday parties. I love to take a theme and bring it to life.


What is your favorite one to make?

I love to make the Audrey Hepburn inspired tutu dress. It is our best seller. I love Audrey Hepburn. The iconic opening scene of Breakfast At Tiffany's emulates her timeless style. It is the image that pops into my head when I think of her. Nothing is more classic than a little black dress and pearls. I admire Audrey because she was a great woman as well as a humanitarian. She was kind and giving. I wanted to be like her when I grew up. I feel nostalgic. I had dressed up as Audrey for a Halloween party in 2009. When Halloween rolled around for 2010, I searched Google and Etsy but did not find any listings or photos for one. I could not believe that noone had done one before! I had never been so excited about an idea. I listed it in October 2010. Someone pinned it on Pinterest and it went viral. The rest is history. I believe many women my age love her too and are drawn to the concept. What little girl would not love to dress up in a little black tulle dress, a tiara and pearls?

Where do you see them going?

Atutudes has gone so much further than I ever dreamed it would go. I think back to it's humble beginnings at the local flea market. To think that my designs have been in the Emmy, Golden Globes and soon to be Oscars Celebrity Gift Lounges is a dream come true! We have shipped to Canada, Germany, France, and Australia. It is crazy! I can see them going everywhere now.

If you could dress anyone in full Atutudes for an event, who would it be?

I would love to see Bella Thorne wearing one of my designs. She is so adorable! I love her style.



Any new products or styles to announce?

We are always working on new designs. My head is spinning with ideas that I have not had time to get out yet. We have a big themed photo shoot planned for this summer. It is hush hush, but I can say that it will be tied to an event we hope to partcipate in this coming fall. My absolute favorite part of the process is making a new design and working with the talented photographers to create my vision. I love to tell a story in pictures and see it come to fruition. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazingly talented photographers and friends.

2 comments:

Tina said...

One thing I love about Atutudes is the originality and creativity. Really makes me wish I had a little girl!

Rebecca Nash-Emerson said...

I love how the company really came out of a passion. Your enthusiasm in for what you do and the excitement of whats to come is apparent in every word! I'm looking forward to seeing the new shoot later this year. I know it will all be amazing!

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