About us
We Work Hard To Provide You The Most Authentic and Original Experience!
The business is built on a passion for fine textiles, and in particular for African textiles. Their vibrant and colourful attributes are the main source of inspiration.
Our Team
Tamiah African Fabric Designs (aka Tamiah Designs) is owned by me, Kouassi Gaelle. Fun fact about me: Kouassi is my Ivorian name and Gaelle the French but the usual one. Kouassi used on its own is a male name in Ivory Coast. My Dad named me after his sister, Auntie Kouassi Angele who was in turn named after her Mum’s first husband: Kouassi Nicholas who died at a very young age. To make it a female name, you would add either a prefix: Chi-Kouassi or a suffix: Kouassi-Bah.
Kouassi Gaelle ANGUIE
Founder
I am a French/ Ivorian African textile crafter. I was born in Paris, France from Ivorian parents and spent most of my childhood in Ivory Coast surrounded by cheerful and colourful West African textiles also known as Ankara or African wax prints. I was fascinated by them. Returning to France when I was 17 for post secondary studies, I really missed wearing my wax outfits and started collecting them whenever I was going back on holiday.
I decided to move to London in 2006 which was a lifelong dream, I connected back with my roots in London.
So, after unexpectedly losing my Dad to cancer, I realised that Life can pass you in the blink of an eye, I took the plunge and decided to start a business. At last, I had the unique opportunity to work with my beloved textiles and showcase/promote them in any possible way.
So, here I am with Tamiah Designs, named after my daughter. I found strength in both of them when I lost “Papa”. Both Tamiahs are my pride and energy source!
Our Company
We are designing and manufacturing handmade accessories for home, office and school using African textiles. For the time being, they are all individually handcrafted in our studio in Bensham, Gateshead, UK. They are then sent all over the World.
You can find our products on various marketplaces and also here in the shop.
