Delicate Decadence

As a litte girl, Andrea Rembeck, founder and creator of Tutu du Monde, dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. “I had permanent collections of bugs and, much to the despair of my mother, all sorts of insects in boxes in our house,” she says.  A far cry from cobwebs and beehives, Rembeck would grow up to become a designer, focusing on womenswear collections instead. But after the birth of her daughter, Rembeck took time off to enjoy being a mom. She didn’t realize that decision would lead to yet another career direction—as well as the birth of a brand. When her daughter requested a tutu, Rembeck couldn’t find one that wasn’t mass-produced and polyester. “I decided there was a gap in the market for tutus made from natural materials, cottons and silks,” she recalls. “I embarked on a quest to find one, and that’s how Tutu du Monde was born.”

Established in Australia in 2009, the brand now collaborates with the likes of J. Crew and is sold in about 70 stores in the U.S. Calling to mind “ethereal vintage French ballet costumers,” Rembeck affirms that her garments are made of the highest quality and are “hand-crafted by true artisans with an old-world feel.” Think sparkly sequins, feather wisps, dusty pastels and crystal beading on layers of tulle, silk organza and soft natural cotton—all replete with a “contemporary twist.” Sizes run from 1 to 11, with select styles also offered in infant and tween, wholesaling from $10 to $109.  The Spring ’17 collection is inspired by deserts, Palm Springs, the heat “and that amazing light” and also features the brand’s first dive into swimwear. Expect palm prints, pastel animal prints and the signature soft color palette elevated by bright splashes of color.

The brand is not just another princess line: sustainability is a prime focus. And, far from the pretty but frail delicate garments of yesteryear, Rembeck promises these heirlooms only get better with age and wear. “Slight fading and fraying edges add to their charm,” she attests. It is perhaps this nostalgia that keeps the brand alive. “On an emotional level, it’s almost like the moms—including me—are reliving or reimagining their childhood, with clothes they would have loved to wear had our brand been around,” explains Rembeck. “We’re hoping to create so much more than just a piece of clothing—memories of a moment in time, something that stays with the little girl and her mother, father or grandparent for years to come.”