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Sometimes, life nudges you toward an idea, a passion, or a path you never saw coming. For me, that nudge came in the form of a silk scarf that my grandmother had left me.
Born and raised in Milan, Italy, but having spent much of my life abroad, I had just returned from New York to have surgery. With three months to rest and recover, I reconnected with my roots, starting with that very scarf, a 90x90 Hermès scarf covered in whimsical mushroom patterns. Holding it, I was struck by its softness, its beauty, its delicacy.
As I ran my fingers over the fabric, I found myself reflecting on my grandma’s past. She was kicked out of Egypt with two young children, forced to rebuild her life in Italy from scratch. That scarf, delicate yet enduring, carried so much beauty and weight; it was a symbol of her strength and resilience. When I wore it, I realized how powerful something so simple could be; I felt confident and empowered – qualities I had often struggled to embrace, just as I know many women do. I realized I wanted to create pieces that would evoke those same feelings to other women.
It wasn’t until later, as I spent more time reflecting on it, that I began to imagine its versatility and the many ways it could be styled. Inspired and with plenty of time on my hands – huge emphasis on the word “plenty” – I immersed myself in learning about silk. I soon discovered that Italy’s silk hub was just an hour’s drive from where I lived, in the breathtaking town of Como – yes, the very same Como home to the famous Lake Como.
I started having ideas for how my scarves would look – imagining the dragonflies, the flowers, the swirling patterns. The process was exhilarating, sparking a rush of excitement and creative energy every single day – like a new adventure unfolding. Every. Single. Day. I would wake up eager to experiment, exploring fresh concepts, and letting my imagination run wild. I'll admit, I had no design background or technical skills. No matter how much I tried throughout my life to draw, it just wasn’t in me – and it still isn’t. But none of that mattered. I did my best with what I had, trusting that my passion and determination would guide me to create something special. And it did... Slowly, I could see how each scarf would come to life, carrying its own unique story, full of color and character. There were moments of uncertainty and trial and error. But the thrill of seeing each piece take shape, and the collaboration with incredibly talented textile designers who helped refine and perfect my vision, made every step of the journey worthwhile. It was all about discovering new ways to express my vision through fabric and design, and little by little, I found myself creating scarves that truly felt like a reflection of who I was.
At the same time, I was reaching out to silk manufacturers in Como, eager to learn everything I could about the craft behind the scarves I envisioned. I was asking them countless questions and having them send over their prototypes so that I could feel their silk with my own hands. I visited their workshops and learned about their production processes. After meeting with several, I trusted my instincts and chose the one that felt right – not just for the quality they could deliver, but for the shared values of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence. You know that feeling when you talk to someone and just know they’re the ones? It’s hard to explain, but I felt it. I just knew this was the partner I was meant to work with. So, I sent them my designs.
And before those three months of recovery from surgery ended, my first TAMARA prototypes were born.
The rest is history, but not really – this is still just the beginning.
I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me here, and I’m excited to see where it takes us next. Thank you for tuning in!
Con amore,
Sara, Founder, TAMARA
P.S. There’s more to tell... and I can’t wait to share it with you soon!
