WICHITA — For several years, Christina McDowell has sold her Totally Tutu 4 U custom tutus through craft shows and consignment shops around town.
Today, she’s opening her own store, Baubles & Bows, at 2423 W. 13th St. in Indian Hills.
“We’ve expanded it to women’s accessories, shabby chic home decor and, of course, all my tutu stuff,” McDowell says.
She says her custom boutique tutus are a unique drawing card.
“Nothing is plain about them,” McDowell says. “It’s gotta be fluffy and sparkly or I don’t love it.”
She says her tutus are more intricate than the average tutu. Usually, she makes something such as fairy wings to accompany them.
Joslin Alana Strong in the tutu her mother made for her first birthday.
McDowell got the idea for her business five years ago when her daughter, Joslin Alana, was 6 months old and she put her in a tutu for a photo.
Today and Saturday are what McDowell is calling “test days” for the new shop.
Starting next week, it will be open Tuesday through Saturday, generally 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.