Heritage & Identity: Atèlette’s Name

Names hold meaning and it took me quite some time to decide on the name of our sustainable slow fashion label, Atèlette. Most often people guess I gave our clothing line this name because it looks like atelier, which was a happy accident. 

The name carries a personal meaning, deeply tied to my Filipino heritage. I wanted something that felt intimate and connected to my story. I wanted something meaningful, yet not directly named after myself.

In the Philippines (I grew up speaking Cebuano, not Tagalog), the word Ate-- pronounced Ah-tee or Ah-tey/tay depending on your region, means "sister" or "older sister" and used as a term as a sign of respect for either your blood sister or a sister figure. You call someone Ate or Ate followed by their name. 

Lette was my nickname as a little girl given to me by one of my Titas, Tia Conning (Cornelia) who was nicknamed Nanette, who is the namesake of one of our dresses. It is still a mystery to me how Lette was derived from my name, Rodellee, but Filipinos have an odd and charming way of giving nicknames. As a little girl I was often called "Inday Lette" -- Inday is a term of endearment usually for young girls.

Initially I was going to call the line Ate Lette, but that just did not look right and for anyone that isn't Filipino, Ate would not be pronounced properly. Using my limited French language skills (2 years of French, and here's what I have to show for it!) I knew putting the accent grave on the 'e" on Ate would denote a different pronunciation. Atè Lette. 

Nope, still looked weird. Lette on its own made me think of latte or lettuce. Then I simply just asked myself, "What if I just combined them?"

Atèlette. 

Et viola! It clicked. It rolled off my tongue. I sent it to a few friends and family members and asked them to pronounce it. Everyone pronounced it the way I thought it should be pronounced. No confusion. Unlike my name, Rodellee, which is often mispronounced. 

Atèlette is named after me, or rather versions of me, past and present that I am honoring. 

TLDR: The name Atèlette is a heartfelt blend of my heritage and identity. I wanted to share the personal story behind the name of my sustainable slow fashion label. It's rooted in my Filipino background, my childhood nickname, and a desire to create something meaningful yet subtly personal. 

Cover Image:  Untitled image, Dean C. Worcester papers 1887-1925, Box 4. Folder: Philippines 1887-1893, Unidentified people. Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.