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I do look around for dressing services offering a makeover and photoshoot, particularly in places that I’m expecting to visit in the near future. One that caught my eye is The Girl Inside, which is just outside Bath. The tastefully-designed website has a picture of an old house that looks as though it came out of Jane Austen. TGI offers a bespoke service including not only a makeover and photoshoot, but an escorted visit to Bath for a meal out, or any of a range of cultural events, and even overnight accommodation if you want. There are no prices on the site, since these will reflect the particular service or elements you want (that’s what “bespoke” means I guess). As I’m expecting to be in Somerset for an event in April, I sent off a brief enquiry with Ariane’s name and email address.
I received a reply today from the proprietor, a gentleman named Hillary Carr who calls himself “Hills”. He must have done well out of life if he owns this building and can afford to employ staff including makeup artists. A little research shows him to be a self-employed advertising and marketing consultant, a parish councillor in Bath, and a rugby fan. His Linked In profile doesn’t mention his TGI connection. Hills would be happy to facilitate my experience at TGI and would himself escort me to dinner in Bath.
Also Hills asked me to complete and return a contact information form. This form is unlike others I’ve come across in the TG world in requesting quite a lot of personal information. For example I would have to provide my real name and home address, shoe and bra sizing information, and photos of my male self and me dressed en femme. Apparently the photos would help the makeup artist prepare for my visit. The form also asks for details of various social media profiles, including TV Chix which is a friendship and dating service. I guess returning a detailed profile would enable Hills to estimate the cost of my experience more precisely.
The contact form justifies seeking all this information in the interest of ensuring safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to enable TGI to contact visitors in the unlikely event of the virus being found at the building.
By the time I’d read through all this, several alarm bells were ringing. I replied to Hills expressing my concern at the level of personal detail sought, and the lack of any pricing information, both of which are unique in my experience of dressing services. Also I pointed out that the pandemic was over and other suppliers simply relied on a negative test on the day of the meet. Finally, and this was not meant personally, I said I preferred to socialise en femme with other girls or Tgirls.
So there it is. I haven’t heard back from Hills yet. I’m not sure I’m going to either.
UPDATE: Hills sent me a self-justifying reply although his reasons were not at all convincing. I don't think he is sinister, just a rich and obsessive male admirer.
