Are you singing that along with me? No? So not a Bowie fan. That is ok. We can still be friends.

It has been constantly and consistently running thru my head these past months. Yet again things happened out of my control but affected my quality of life enough I knew it was time to make changes. When you wake up dreading work, you know something has to give that shouldn’t be your health – physical or mental. It had me questioning why did I feel accomplished when saying I am soooo busy rather than realizing I was spreading myself too thin to achieve some unknown goal.

So what does this mean? First yes the rumours are true. I am retiring but not right this moment so calm down. The spring of 2026 will find me teaching some fabulous tutu makers as well as the odd costume here and there. The summer and fall of 2026 are where the changes really begin. Making it simple with bullet points below

1. No more mailed out custom sizing. Custom sizing (that means fit and finished by me) must occur in Victoria or you must arrange a travel delivery (see page Custom Costumes and Terms of Reference for Custom Costumes)
2. No more December deliveries so organize yourself to have your costumes delivered in November or delay your competition to later in January.
3. Travel delivery is by request only meaning I choose when and where I will be delivering. With the border become more and more difficult, travel is becoming unenjoyable and often extremely stressful. I may travel to one US city this coming season so prepare yourself accordingly if you want custom fit. So if I am in Az in November but you need your costumes in September, I suggest you head to Victoria. “I can’t come to Victoria!” you say. Well actually you CAN! We have planes and airports, hotels, restaurants and even Uber! If you choose NOT to, well that is your issue, not mine. Maybe you need to head to ready to wear!

Speaking of which, ready to wear costumes will now be available. Please see the page that describes this but this is for ALL costumes that are not fit and delivered by me. So think do I meet Pamela in Victoria or one of her travel cities? No? Then you are buying RTW. But RTW is awesome. First, they are less expensive as they are much less labour. They are still custom designed so your dancer is getting a one of a kind Matryoshka Tutu but is made to predetermined measurements. How to order of these is so simple!

Send me an email to ensure I have space in my calendar. Tell me the variation and where/when it’s needed. We meet on line to take measurements together and determine the best size for you dancer. A sketch is then created using beautiful fabrics and other lovely laces, trims and special items found in my travels to Paris and Italy. I work with you/your teacher to create exactly what you are looking for then it is built to my exact standards and is mailed with loads of time any little adjustments can be made by your local seamstress – like straps made tighter or hooks/bars moved. Easy peasy! So you get the best of all worlds – custom designed costume, sent extra early AND is less expensive.

And finally some housekeeping. I need a break from some variation costumes so no Nikiya death (the pants), no Pharoah’s Daughter and no Esmeralda entrance (the green one – so so sick of this!). Also please remember I am a classical tutu maker which means I like CLASSICAL costumes. Please do not ask me for sad skinny romantic tutus that make me think there is a tulle shortage in the world. I like fluffy authentic pretty romantic tutus and wont make anything other than those. I adore bells and will often suggest these to keep to the silhouette when the ballet was written. For an example did you know Awakening of Flora was built for bell tutus and not long frumpy skirts? So do remember you are hiring me for my work but also my experience and expertise of ballet (costume) history.

Whew! Seems like a lot in one post and yes, it is a lot for me too. I want to love going to work again. I want to enjoy the last few years of creating classical costumes. Even as I write this, I am so excited about 2026 and the adventures it will bring!