KIPLING — Charlotte Beaujot has demonstrated that a love for fashion combined with self-motivation and discipline can turn from an idea into something concrete when Tante Lottie was created.
Wikipedia defines Tante as “the French, Dutch (Nederland), Indonesia (based on Dutch language), German, Danish and Yiddish word for aunt. “Tante Lottie”, the name of Beaujot's purse designs, was specifically chosen because of her desire to be a voice for the equality of all women regardless of nationality.
Beaujot had always loved fashion and followed the popular TV show Project Runway. Coming from a family of hunters and trappers, the hides were a familiar and perfect medium for her. Add business sense and life experiences, there is no questioning why she is successful. Besides the hunting, Beaujot and her late husband managed a butcher shop for eleven years.
In 2018 Beaujot purchased her first sewing machine with the idea of designing something fashionable. The machine sat in the closet for close to two years and then COVID slowed down the world. Eve Realty, a real estate business based out of Kipling and owned jointly between Beaujot and her daughter Jade, continued on an upswing, but the pandemic resulted in less travel and socializing, resulting in time to pull the sewing machine out of the closet. The creativity was a welcome therapy and continues to be a great way to cope with stress.
Beaujot, with minimal sewing experience, was asked by her husband to make him a leather apron, and using deer leather from Alberta she discovered her favorite fabric and it went from there.
Using a pencil case as a pattern, Beaujot started practicing and after much wasted leather, which she laughingly refers to as ‘sample bags’, she designed her first cross body bag. A good bag should be fashionable yet convenient; it should lie flat against your body and the soft leather, hugging your body, it should also allow you to wear a coat over top without feeling bulky or restrictive.
Using leather purchased from Tandy Leather in Saskatoon, Beaujot started creating custom orders and consequently it became necessary to upgrade to a commercial leather sewing machine.
Each bag takes approximately six to eight hours to complete, and Beaujot usually has three on the go at one time which entails designing the pattern, cutting it, gluing, sewing and hand-stitching that follows a meticulous and patient process.
Beaujot was asked to present her bags at Saskatchewan Fashion Week Sept 29- October 1 in Saskatoon. They will send her a list of models and she will choose the models and the accompanying music. Beaujot already has a background of stage experience having played keyboard in a band, and the success of leading over two hundred students in belly dancing and health moves.
Besides the upcoming fashion show, Beaujot’s work is recognized with an invite to attend the Artist on the Hill event in White Bear July 22. Beaujot is honored to be sharing space with local artists Theresa Fuhr and Michael Lonechild.
Beaujot's message to others is “If God gives you a gift, you share it.” She has genuine joy for the women that have purchased her ‘gift’.
