Is there a woman alive who didn't once dream of wearing a tutu? Even the least graceful or feminine ladies at some point saw those layers of gravity-defying gauze (likely during a performance of The Nutcracker) and thought to herself, "Someday, somehow, I'm going to wear a tutu."

For those of us who never quite achieved that goal, we at least now have a chance to get up close and personal with the people who have -- and others whose fantasies of tutus have a place to run amok. The Design Exchange, Canada's Design Museum, located in Toronto, is currently running two exhibits (until September 2) that takes ballet to a whole new level.

"60 Years Of Designing The Ballet," focuses on the archives of the National Ballet of Canada and "The Tutu Project," challenges well-known Canadian designers to create their own takes on the iconic tutu shape.

Wonder what it looks like when fashion folk have carte blanche with arguably the prettiest of garments? Check out their creations -- and feast your eyes on some classics as well:

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  • Tutu By Adrian Wu

  • Tutu By Alex Gilbert

  • Tutu By Amanda Lew Kee

  • Tutu By Angel Wong

  • Tutu By Artist Deanna Brown And Members Of The National Ballet of Canada's Kids Corps and Share The Magic Initiatives

  • Tutu By Carole Sabiston On Behalf Of Dance Victoria

  • Tutu By Caroline O'Brien

  • Tutu By Clea Minaker

  • Tutu by Comrags

  • Tutu By Cydelic By Choryin

  • Tutu By David Dixon

  • Tutu By Edgar Wong Baxter Jr., Steve Reaume, Nicholas Aoki, Finlay Patterson and Belevance On Behalf of Narwhal Art Projects

  • Tutu By Giles Deacon

  • Tutu By Grant Heaps

  • Tutu By Hoax Couture

  • Tutu By Jameson Kane

  • Tutu By Jenn Woodall And The Participants Of Word On The Street Festival Toronto 2011

  • Tutu By Jennifer Zimmerman

  • Tutu By Julie Moon

  • Tutu By Juma

  • Tutu By Justina McCaffrey

  • Tutu By Katia Ostapets And FAJO Magazine

  • Tutu By Klaxon Howl

  • Tutu By Krane Design

  • Tutu By Krista Dowson

  • Tutu By Krista Eve Lomax

  • Tutu By LABEL

  • Tutu By Liana O'Brien, Pat Piercy, Mary Parker, Jacquelyn Rey, Bessie Harvie and Marjory Hope On Behalf Of The Port Theatre

  • Tutu By Linda Lundstrom Works And The Volunteer Committee

  • Tutu By Louise Yu

  • Tutu By Lululemon Lead Designer Antonia Iamartino, Lauren Powell And Shirley Iamartino

  • Tutu By Melanie Dowhaniuk And Imaginis Marketing

  • Tutu By Members Of ArtHeart Community Art Centre

  • Tutu By Members Of SKETCH Arts Outreach

  • Tutu By Members Of The Wardrobe Department At The National Ballet of Canada

  • Tutu By Members Of Turnout

  • Tutu By MICALLA

  • Tutu By Molly Grundy

  • Tutu By Nancy Zimmerman

  • Tutu By Natalie Leung And Sonia Dvorak

  • Tutu By Noel Middleton

  • Tutu By Pamela Kaye On Behalf Of Alberta Ballet

  • Tutu By Participants At Family Day Fest Downsview Park 2011

  • Tutu By Participants At Official Canada Day Celebrations In Ottawa July 2011

  • Tutu By Participants At Pride July 2011

  • Tutu By Participants At The Official Canada Day Celebrations In Ottawa July 2011

  • Tutu By Paul Hardy Design

  • Tutu By Rita Tessolin

  • Tutu By Sarah Stevenson And Eliza Kozurno

  • Tutu By Shannon Lovelace, Roslynne Manson, Alena Zharska, Brenda Belmonte And Anne Armit On Behalf Of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet

  • Tutu By Shay Lowe