#InConversation with Tihara Smith
For our latest community spotlight, we meet with the founder of Tihara Smith — a fashion accessories and lifestyle brand taking inspiration from the Caribbean and Black British Culture.
Photography by Kayleigh Pace
“I wanted to start a brand celebrating the Caribbean and Black British Culture”
Photography by Kayleigh Pace
How would you describe your brand/ business?
Tihara Smith is a fashion accessory and lifestyle brand taking inspiration from the Caribbean and Black British Culture. Bringing the beautiful colours, textures and natural elements of the Caribbean to the everyday.
The business started after showing my Windrush Generation inspired graduate BA Fashion collection at Graduate Fashion Week in 2018. After the positive reception of my collection, I decided I wanted to start a brand celebrating the Caribbean and Black British Culture. Mixing traditional textures and textile techniques with contemporary tropical colour schemes, iconic accessory shapes and silhouettes to create beautiful pieces.
My range includes handcrafted bags, bridal accessories and home accessories, which are all made to order, as well as small accessories and stationery pieces.
“It was so special to feel part of such an amazing and uplifting community”
Why did you want to be a part of Black Girl Festival?
I wanted to be part of Black Girl Festival to have the opportunity to meet and celebrate Black British women!
How was being a vendor at the festival?
It was an amazing experience, especially as a new business. Black Girl Festival was my first big event. It was great to meet other businesses owned by other Black British women and to meet all the visitors of the festival who were so supportive and excited about what I was doing with my brand. It was so special to feel part of such an amazing and uplifting community.
What was it like being surrounded by other businesses owned by Black British women?
It was great to see the variety of businesses and all the talent that exists in the Black British community all in one space. The festival was a unique opportunity to meet and interact with other women that were doing the same thing as me. I was able to make some great friends from the experience too!
What does community mean to you?
To me, community means a group of people that shares something in common. When you are around people from this group you feel a sense of belonging and safety.
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