Zoe Chamberlain meets a Midland designer who has held her first show at London Fashion Week
Tamara Joseph started making clothes when she was just seven-years-old.
Her mother taught her how to use a sewing machine and she was instantly hooked, and began making “MC Hammer-style” trousers for her school friends by the time she was a teenager.
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Now the 35-year-old from Halesowen has just got back from doing her first fashion show at London Fashion Week.
Her designs reflect her two passions in life: fabric and photography. She takes pictures, together with photographer fiancé Robert Stacey, and uses them as prints on fabric, incorporating them into her unusual designs.
“My style is inspired by the 1930s through to the 1950s but with a more up-to-date feel,” says Tamara, who works part-time at The University of Wolverhampton as a senior fashion technician.
“I try to make pieces that last. I’m not into making things that are on the high street now. If people are going to spend money on clothes, they should last.
"I made a prom dress for a girl the other day but generally I make very wearable stuff. Fashion is something I’ve always wanted to do. I like the fact you have the opportunity to create something unique for people, they know they can go out and they won’t see anyone else wearing it.
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“Many people want designer clothes but can’t afford them. I like to make affordable pieces that feel like designer clothes,” she explains. “Last year, I went on a mentoring course and started to learn how to build up my website.
"Since then I’ve done shows for ITV’s Fixer, raising money for Haiti, together with shows on Broad Street, Birmingham, as part of Style Birmingham and Black History Month.
“I’ve also shown my designs at The Clothes Show at the NEC.”
This was the first time Tamara had been to show her clothes at London Fashion Week. She said: “It was very exciting. Each of the designers had our own style so there was no competition.
“A friend of mine made straw trilby hats for me for the show and I further accessorized my outfits with driving gloves, similar to what you see in Mad Men, where there’s an elegance to the clothes.
“Similarly, my clothes are fitted to emphasize a woman’s figure.”
And does she wear her own designs?
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“It’s a bit like the professional decorator who never gets round to doing his own home up!” laughs Tamara. “I’d love to make my own clothes but I never get time as I’m too busy making them for everyone else.