Early career Before entering fashion design, Tarvydas studied nursing and briefly worked as a secretary for a lawyer and an eye specialist. Aged 19, Tarvydas and her brother Harvey opened a small boutique on
Hay Street, Perth, making her possibly Australia's youngest boutique owner at the time. Her first label, 'Ruta', was established in 1968. She was described as 'the designer who brought
boho chic to 1960s Perth.' By 1976, Tarvydas was enjoying success as an ambitious fashion designer, selling her audacious designs from an establishment on
Murray Street, Perth. Tarvydas became the first Australian fashion label to export overseas, stocking its designs in
Selfridges, London, in 1983. She was also carried by New York's
Saks Fifth Avenue around the same time, but during the economic downturn of the late 1980s was forced to close her Australian retail stores. On
News.com.au Twigley's appearance eclipsed coverage for Jennifer Hawkins who was crowned
Miss Universe 2004 at the same time, and broke previous records for a single news day. The dress continued receiving ongoing coverage, and, worn by another model, was the final gown in the Tarvydas tribute show at the Perth Fashion Festival. Rebecca Judd opened the tribute show wearing another Tarvydas dress that had been designed for her to wear in a
Paco Rabanne perfume advertisement in 2010. Tarvydas opened a flagship boutique on
King Street, Perth, in July 2009, but the store was forced to close in October 2012 due to high rental costs. It was replaced by a
Chanel boutique. By the early 2010s, Tarvydas' business found itself increasingly in financial difficulties, entering administration in 2012, at the time the King Street boutique closed. ==Death==