If the name Tamara Ralph sounds familiar, it’s likely because she’s one half of the duo behind the Ralph & Russo empire. But she’s moved on, and what she’s working on now under her own name is equally impressive. Set in the heart of the iconic 8th arrondissement of Paris, the Tamara Ralph Maison is known for its one-of-a-kind haute couture, bridal and accessories. Ralph became the first Creative Director from the U.K. in a century to be selected by The Chambre Syndicale De La Haute Couture to show during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week in 2014. She was also only the third female creative director globally to be featured on the schedule. A symbol for luxury, Ralph has been tapped by brands like Cartier, Disney, Rolls Royce and La Perla for coveted collaborations. We spoke with the designer to get all the details on her career, Maison and an inside look of what’s ahead.

How did you start designing?

“Naturally, coming from several generations of couturiers within my family, I was immersed in the world of fashion from the start, and I had a natural sense of curiosity and also admiration for fashion and haute couture. I quickly learned that my true passion was design, and even as a child I knew my dream was to become a designer. My interest was in fashion specifically, and creating, and—with this in mind—I sought to learn more from my mother and grandmother and also pursued this on my own to some extent.

A memory I return to often and with great fondness is of my mother, who would often find me asleep on the sewing machine in my bedroom as I was creating for hours. She was the one who I learned how to sketch from, in fact, as I always admired her fashion sketches — they had this 70s flair to them. At the same time, my grandmother started to teach me the craftsmanship and couture techniques behind haute couture pieces. From there, my passion continued to grow, and I never really considered doing anything else.”

Why did you want to focus on haute couture?

“There is an art to couture. It is an old world craft, with painstaking technique but with creativity that is boundless. From a creative point of view, you are creating wearable art. This is not something that can be easily replicated, nor replaced with technology. Couture is still made by hand, which makes it remarkably special. It is a category in which the options are seemingly limitless, and therefore you can let your imagination run wild. 

It is a category that really sets the foundation of the brand, being a space that sparks fantasy, celebrates the most innovative creativity and showcases what the house stands for from a quality perspective; it really is a sphere that embodies the very same pillars as those forged for my brand.”

Was bridal a natural extension?

“Bridal in general has always been an important facet of couture—for instance, couture shows end with a bridal look, and this has been the format since the very inception of Haute Couture fashion week. It is incredibly traditional and a special moment.

Bridal is also a category I absolutely love to work within and is a significant part of my couture business. There are few things more special than a wedding, one of the most significant and memorable moments of one’s life. To be a part of this from beginning to end is truly a privilege.”

Photos courtesy of Tamara Ralph.

You were the first creative director from the U.K. invited to show at Paris Haute Couture Week. What did that honour mean to you?

“It was an exceptional moment, as I was the first British designer and brand to have been invited in 100 years, which was quite an honour. I will never forget the exact moment in which I received the news. It really played an enormous role in changing the course of my career as a designer. To this day, I am fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, which is very important to me.”

Photos courtesy of Tamara Ralph.

You’ve done collaborations with brands from Cartier to Rolls Royce and La Perla. What do you look for in a partner?

“I have, as well as Audemars Piguet for whom, last year, I designed a bespoke timepiece  and Daum, the incredibly talented French crystal manufacturer with whom I designed a special collection for earlier this year. Collaborations are something I am passionate about but it has to feel right and aligned with my brand. A partnership must, I feel, offer something wholly unique in the market. It is important to me that any partner I work with is aligned with my vision and my foundational pillars. In equal measure, innovation here is also crucial and fuels me creatively—a partnership should push the boundaries, which is really what makes a collaboration between two brands across different categories so unique.”

What can we expect from you next?

“At the moment, I am quite immersed in my forthcoming Spring/Summer 2026 collection which will be shown in Paris at the top of the new year. I am also working on some further very exciting collaborations, which I cannot speak to just yet but look forward to being able to do so soon. There is never a dull moment, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Feature image courtesy of Tamara Ralph.