Gems Log

Dasia Dawson has a book of sketches filled with designs for jeans, jewelry and other clothing.

But Dasia isn’t a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, or even Willingboro High School. Dasia is a fourth-grader at J. Cresswell Stuart Elementary School.

Dasia may be only 10 years old, but with the help of her parents and other family members, she recently launched a jewelry line called TUTU Luv Me, which they hope to expand into a full clothing line later this year.

“She had the idea, and I took it from there,” her father, Marcus Dawson, said Friday.

“TUTU” stands for “teach you to teach us.” The Dawsons say TUTU Luv Me is more than a brand — it’s a campaign.

Dasia’s mother, Shean Dawson, said they want to use the jewelry and clothing line to teach young girls to love themselves. To carry out that idea, they plan to hold monthly workshops at the Kennedy Center that will feature positive role models for girls.

The first workshop will be held Feb. 22.

The family plans to produce T-shirts this summer that will bear the brand name on the front and TUTU Luv Me slogans — “Do good in school because I Luv Me” or “No drugs because I Luv Me,” for instance — on the back.

Dasia’s father said it’s a subtle way to spread a very important message.

“It’s kind of a way of teaching them, without teaching them,” he said.

Dasia said she got the design bug from her father, who founded Motoco Inc., a clothing line for men and women. She has designed three pieces of jewelry so far: a bracelet with a heart charm, a necklace with a heart charm and a dog-tag style necklace, also with a charm. The charms are filled with lip gloss. The TUTU campaign is explained on the jewelry boxes.

The items sell for $22 each. Dasia’s father said he is currently in negotiations to have the items sold at area Target stores. The items will soon be available online.

Dasia recently participated in a fundraising event for Memorial Upper Elementary School selling her jewelry to benefit an upcoming dance. For every item purchased, $2 was donated to the dance fund. She hopes to be involved with similar events in the future.

The Dawsons are also launching a Web site, www.tutuluvme.com, and hope to have blogs where young girls can discuss various topics.

“It’s exciting,” Dasia said.

Tutu Luv Me Lip Gloss Charm Collection

Tutu Luv Me Lip Gloss Charms include an adorable charm bracelet, hot charm necklace and a cute dog tag charm. Tutu Luv Me was inspired by young girls all over the world and will show them how to love me. Remember to love me (yourself) when wearing a Tutu Luv Me Charm.

You will fall in love with this adorable gold Tiffany style lip gloss charm bracelet!

The Tutu Luv Me Collection was inspired and created by Dasia Aigner and her dad Marcus C. Dawson Sr. Tutu Luv Me means Teach U to Teach Us and will show girls all over the world how to love themselves through fashion and the “LUV ME” Campaign.

Be Smart * Be Cute * Be Strong * Be Cool * Be a Trendsetter * Most of all “LUV ME”.

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Keywords for this article:

• Dasia Dawson jewelry
• Tutu Luv Me Collection