BEHIND THE BRAND
That’s So Kitsch! was born from a desire to reconnect with the creative freedom and self-expression I had as a kid, before perfection, pressure, and other people’s opinions crept in. The more I allowed myself to play without rules or expectations, the more joy I found in creating, simply because.
I’ve always been drawn to anything that is unique, weird, different, and just doesn’t quite “fit in.” I love people who dress for themselves, embrace their quirks, and aren’t afraid to dance to the beat of their own drum. To me, diversity and individuality are what make the world far more interesting AND beautiful.
Over the years, I’ve explored many different creative paths (costume making, fashion styling, visual merchandising, graphic design), always led by curiosity and a deep desire to follow what felt alive and meaningful. Yet nothing ever quite fit. For a long time, I thought that meant I hadn’t found “my purpose”. What I’ve come to realise though, is that being multi-passionate isn’t a flaw — it’s the whole damn point.
Building a personal brand became the way that I could bring all of those interests and skillsets together, allowing me to create freely and do things on my own terms. In many ways, That’s So Kitsch! is a return to self, a remembering of who I was before trying to fit into a mould that was never meant for me.
This brand is about choosing joy, refusing to shrink yourself, and creating a life that feels free, expressive, and true. If it makes you smile, sparks something nostalgic, or helps you feel more like you, then it’s doing exactly what it’s meant to do.
Every piece is handmade by me, Tess, in Australia, in small runs with heart, intention, and personality. Slight imperfections and variations are part of the process, a reminder that originality matters more than “perfect.”
At the end of the day, my greatest goal in life is simple: to live creatively, connect deeply, and leave my mark by doing what I love. So when the time comes that I exit exquisitely from this world, I’ll feel that I lived a life that I am truly proud of.
