Tara Gems wasn’t born out of ambition or business goals—it was born out of grief. In 2020, I lost my mother, and that pain cracked something open inside me. I had no roadmap, no grand plan. I was just a mother of two, trying to survive heartbreak while raising a newborn and a toddler. Creativity became my therapy. What started as a distraction turned into something deeper. It became a way of keeping her memory alive.
Why jewelry—why design at all?
Before any of this, I was a makeup artist and aesthetician. I always had an eye for detail and beauty. But jewelry? That wasn’t the original path. I just needed something to do with my hands. My mind was heavy with grief, and designing gave me a sense of calm. I started playing around with materials I had at home. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about healing. Slowly, those quiet hours of creating turned into meaningful work.
Photographer Johnny Jones @jonesj1443
What was it really like starting a brand while raising two small children?
It was raw and messy—jewelry in one hand, baby bottle in the other. My son was four months old, and my daughter was three. Some days I felt like I was barely functioning, balancing grief with nap times and meltdowns. I remember attending exhibitions with both kids right beside me, strollers and samples crammed into the backseat of the car. It was exhausting, but it also reminded me what I was made of. Those early days shaped the heart of Tara Gems.
When did things start to shift—when did it feel real?
New York Fashion Week was the turning point. I still remember the shock when I found out my designs were going to be featured. From there came Paris, then Milan. Suddenly, the brand had momentum, attention, and a future. But behind the scenes, it was anything but glamorous—late nights, constant self-doubt, and the pressure of doing it all while being a full-time mom. Every success came with a story of struggle, but that made it even more worth it.
Photographer Johnny Jones @jonesj1443
What does the name “Tara Gems” mean to you?
It’s deeply personal. I named the brand after my mom—Tara. She was grace and strength wrapped into one person. When she passed, I felt lost. Creating Tara Gems gave me a way to keep her with me. Every piece I make is a love letter to her memory. It’s more than a brand—it’s a legacy. Wearing Tara Gems isn’t just about style—it’s about honoring where we come from and who we carry with us.
How do you stay grounded while growing in a competitive industry?
By remembering where I started. I’ve walked into rooms where people overlooked me, where I wasn’t taken seriously. That keeps me humble. I treat everyone—from the cleaning crew to the headline designer—with the same respect. I don’t care about titles or status. I care about effort, kindness, and heart. That’s what makes people unforgettable. And that’s what I want Tara Gems to stand for too.
Photographer Johnny Jones @jonesj1443
What makes your brand different from others out there?
It’s not just about selling jewelry—it’s about telling a story. Each design holds emotion. There’s power in that. My pieces are inspired by personal experiences—grief, motherhood, resilience. I want the people who wear Tara Gems to feel like they’re putting on more than an accessory. They’re wearing a piece of someone’s strength. It’s beauty with meaning, fashion with soul.
What do you want people to feel when they wear Tara Gems?
That they’re seen. That they’re strong, even on days they feel broken. I want my pieces to feel like armor—soft, delicate, but powerful. Because healing isn’t linear, and fashion can be part of that journey. When someone wears Tara Gems, I hope they feel connected—to themselves, to the women who came before them, and to the idea that beauty can grow from pain. Because it did for me.
Photographer Rathna Rao@awe_raw_photography
