From Piano Keys to Pettiskirts:

Anne-Marie van Dijk’s Creative Journey

She dressed her baby in a delicate dress, lifted her high, and smiled:
“You look just like a DOLLY!”
That simple moment sparked a creative path few could have imagined. Anne-Marie van Dijk—daughter of a pianist and a passionate artist—would turn a lifetime of creativity, music, cinema, and motherhood into Le Petit Tom®, a globally cherished brand known for its luxurious ballet-inspired clothing.

Anne-Marie’s Early Inspirations

Anne-Marie grew up in a household filled with art, music, and imagination. Her mother painted. Her father played the piano. Together they created a world where creativity felt as natural as breathing.

Childhood Passions and Influences

As a young girl, Anne-Marie painted, sketched, and danced through the home. Her deep fascination with ballet began early, drawn to the grace, elegance, and classic silhouettes. But just as influential was another lifelong love—movies.

Anne-Marie grew up captivated by the magic of film, especially the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn. She adored the feminine silhouettes, refined charm, and gentle glamour of the 1950s and 1960s, a style she later carried into her fashion collections and even her home decoration. The retro chic of that era became part of her aesthetic DNA.

From Music to Fashion Design

The rhythm of her father’s piano and the storytelling beauty of classic cinema shaped the way Anne-Marie viewed design. She noticed how composing a melody or crafting a film scene had much in common with designing clothing—emotion, rhythm, detail, and personality.

After studying fashion and graphic design, she entered the decorative and fashion world. Her unique blend of ballet elegance, vintage Hollywood charm, and modern femininity set her apart. It wasn’t long before her own brand vision took shape.

The Birth of Le Petit Tom® and DOLLY®

Anne-Marie transformed her inspirations into Le Petit Tom®, a brand rooted in elegance, nostalgia, and artistic expression.

Family as Muse

Her children became central to her creative journey. Their innocence, imagination, and personalities inspired the whimsical beauty of DOLLY by Le Petit Tom®. Each design became a story—an artistic expression crafted with care, emotion, and intention.

Ballet-Inspired Fashion for All Ages

DOLLY quickly became known for its luxurious tutus, chiffon dresses, and soft pettiskirts that could be worn for special occasions or everyday life. The pieces echoed influences from ballet, retro cinema, and 1950s–60s femininity—creating a unique, recognizable aesthetic appreciated worldwide.

Women and girls of all ages soon embraced the brand’s timeless elegance, proving that DOLLY’s magic transcends age.

DOLLY’s Global Presence and Success

The brand’s unmistakable designs earned placement in prestigious stores around the world.

Iconic Collections in Prestigious Stores

From Harrods to Saks Fifth Avenue, DOLLY’s blend of luxury and nostalgia attracted discerning shoppers. Each collection told a story, drawing inspiration from ballet, retro fashion, vintage movie elegance, and Anne-Marie’s signature romantic style.

The Art of Continuous Collection Creation

Anne-Marie’s creativity never rests. Each season she introduces new collections, staying true to her vision while evolving with the times. Her dedication to quality and artistic storytelling keeps DOLLY fresh, inspiring, and continually celebrated worldwide.

Photos: Where the Pettiskirt Story Began

“In the Dordogne with my daughter.”
This is where the iconic Pettiskirt images were born.

During a family holiday in the French countryside—five children in the car and a big box of tutu samples in the back—Anne-Marie scouted color-matching locations. When a scene perfectly complemented her designs, she famously said:

“Stop the car!”

She dressed her daughter in a Pettiskirt tutu, set her in the beautiful surroundings, and captured photographs that would travel the world.
Every Pettiskirt image on this page comes from that magical summer—a moment that helped lift the DOLLY brand to global recognition.

Shop the Icons

Explore the Pettiskirt Tutus that have become DOLLY’s timeless signatures—beloved, collected, and cherished by DOLLY girls everywhere.