A little moment of fabulous!

by Natalie McCulloch

Did you wake up this morning feeling fabulous? If the answer is no, or you feel you could feel more fabulous, please read on to discover the fantastic group which aims to help you feel as every bit fabulous as you deserve to!

‘Beauties in Bute’ was dreamed up in 2017 by three friends: Lili Del Fflur, Lana Del Red and Flossie Smalls – all of whom met through local dance troupe Cardiff Cabaret Club.

The team may be small but has a big heart and two simple goals: -

1. To create fun, easy-going events and safe, joyous spaces for people to explore self-love and selfexpression through fun clothing.

2. To raise money for Marie Curie Wales.

It was at Cardiff Cabaret Club classes that ‘The Beauties’ also met Lorrainne, a fellow dancer, incredible costume maker and the inspiration for ‘Beauties in Bute’ events. Amazingly, Lorrainne continued to dance through her long battle with cancer which sadly ended in 2017. Throughout her journey with cancer, she was looked after by Marie Curie Wales which is why our events aim to give something back to their phenomenal charity.

Flossie deduces, “Lorrainne had this incredible lust for life – she was so creative and generous, and she loved dancing. She never wanted to stop doing what she loved until she couldn’t. Marie Curie made an amazing short film about her love of Cardiff Cabaret Club and of life –and we too knew whatever we did to remember her, it had to be fun and fabulous.”

“I just want quality - not huge amounts of time where I wouldn’t be me...I’m going to show you how to live” – Lorrainne

The first event ‘Beauties in Bute’ hosted was a ‘pin-up picnic’ in Bute Park. Attendees brought their own food, dressed in vintage fashion and could enter a raffle which raised money for Marie Curie.

After the success of that event, the format was one ‘Beauties in Bute’ have carried on, and they now host both summer and winter events as well as marching at Pride Cymru. They even hosted remote tea parties connected over video chat during lockdown. This year ‘the Beauties’ also held their first Cabaret event at the North Star pub featuring local burlesque and drag artists as well as song and poetry, with the performers kindly donating their time so all proceeds could go directly to their chosen charity.

Since it began, ‘Beauties in Bute’ have raised thousands of pounds for Marie Curie and made a host of new friends and they are keen to keep up the amazing work!

Although that first picnic focussed on vintage fashion, in recent years the ‘Beauties’ gatherings now suggest that attendees should wear anything that makes them feel fabulous. ‘Beauties in Bute’ wanted to make the events appealing and welcoming to everyone, and whilst dressing up is not mandatory, it’s part of what makes the get togethers memorable.

The invitation, which is open to everyone, to this year’s picnic reads: -

“Wear something that makes you feel Fabulous. This picnic is an excuse to break out your outrageous outfits - from fantasy to vintage, bright colours or full out goth. Whatever you feel amazing in, wear it.“

A message that creates a moment for everyone to feel a little moment of fabulous - something they think Lorrainne would have loved.

Flossie told CT “We understand the need for safe spaces for people to express themselves openly through fashion. Wearing something that makes you smile can offer a real lift to self-esteem be that silly, sensational or something more simple. We wanted to offer everyone a place to rock up, sit in nature and feel good about themselves. Everyone deserves that.”

The events run by these three friends (who between them are queer, plus sized, non-binary and neurodivergent) aim to be welcoming, laid back and fun; open to families, friends and strangers (who never remain strangers long).

Since starting ‘Beauties in Bute’, the founders have seen the benefits of the events, not just through the fundraising but to the attendees who often appreciate the event as a social gathering with low pressure and high dopamine reward, and over the years have seen new friendships be formed through people who they may never have met otherwise.

‘Beauty’ Lili Del Fflur is soon going on holiday with an attendee new to last year’s picnic.

“It’s lush to be able to meet new people in a space where you can hear one another talk and really get to connect and find joy with one another for a couple of hours” – Lili Del Fflur

This year’s ‘Beauties in Bute ‘Picnic takes place on Sunday 20 August 12-4pm on Bute Park near the Secret Garden – visit their Facebook or Instagram pages for more details. You are warmly invited to come along and feel FABULOUS!!

If you’d like to support Beauties in Bute but cannot attend the picnic, donations are still welcome via their Just Giving page, and the Beauties are also looking for unique or high value raffle prizes to help raise money at the event and you can buy t-shirts off their social media sites.

Finally, if ‘feeling fabulous’ is something you want to foresee In your future, please don’t hesitate to follow Beauties in Bute on social media to be kept up to date!

You can see Lorrainne in action by following this link: https://fb.watch/lxHn8dr4fl/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUcN3zE-cF4

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