Ever wonder how a cat-loving Canadian mom with an art degree and a bookkeeping side hustle ended up creating breathtaking tutus worn by dancers from Ontario to Taiwan?

This week on the Tutu Artists Studio Podcast, we sit down with the ever-talented Michelle Weatherdon Fountain, the creative force behind Pas de Chat Costumes.

From her home studio (where her four cats double as “pattern weights”), Michelle shares how she transitioned from dance teacher to costume designer for YAGP dancers and professionals alike—including the incredible story of building her daughter’s first tutu all the way to USA IBC!

We talk stretch tutus, structure vs. spandex, working with velvet (the love/hate saga), and the beauty of trusting your maker.

This one’s for every dance mom, costume maker, and tutu-lover out there! Listen in and share with a tutu artist who needs to hear Michelle’s story.

Dance Opens Doors… and Olivia Mason walked right through.
From childhood sewing sessions with her mom to designing for world-class stages, Olivia’s story is stitched with passion, resilience, and creativity.

In this episode of the Tutu Artists Studio Podcast, we follow Olivia Mason’s inspiring path—from costuming high school musicals to selling her first leotards in college, and eventually working on the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty at Pacific Northwest Ballet under the legendary Paul Tazewell’s designs.

An unexpected injury could have closed the curtain on her dance journey—but instead, it opened the door to a flourishing career in costume design.

Listen in as Olivia shares her evolution from dancer to costume technician, to Draper—and the beauty of finding your calling where you least expect it.

Because sometimes…
Dance opens doors

In this episode, the Tutu Artists talk to Lauren Carmen. Lauren Carmen is a NYC-based costume designer with a twist! With roots as a professional ballet dancer and an MFA from NYU Tisch, Lauren infuses her designs with whimsy and beauty—whether for dance, opera, or film. Her work has graced stages from The Joyce Theater to Radio City and appeared in Tribeca films. When not designing, she teaches at Marymount Manhattan College and Pace University, and occasionally graces the stage in ballet productions.

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