Waterloo, London

5.0 (10)

5k followers

Women-owned

The brand, Tihara Smith, is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture

I founded the brand after graduating from UCA Epsom back in 2018, where I found my love for raffia embroidery. I developed this unique craft while creating my Windrush-inspired graduate collection. This was a special time in my journey, where I had the opportunity to explore my Caribbean heritage through design. One of the outfits from my graduate collection was even acquired by the London Museum in 2021! It’s lovely to know that my designs will help preserve and tell the Windrush story to present and future visitors to the museum.

I'm passionate about sharing my love for the Caribbean and raffia embroidery – it's a beautiful way to connect with my heritage and my grandparents from St Lucia and Jamaica who have inspired me. I've been lucky enough to teach workshops for amazing organisations like the V&A and Somerset House, and I've even led team sessions for companies like Sage Publishing, Not On the High Street and Palantir.

Beyond raffia embroidery, I also design and create a range of products like greeting cards and accessories, all with a touch of Caribbean inspiration. You can find my work on my website and in some wonderful shops across the UK and even in Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands!

As a creative entrepreneur, I'm driven by my passion for design, my Caribbean heritage, and the power of storytelling. I hope my work brings a little bit of joy and a touch of the Caribbean to everyone who encounters it.

Classes and kits