House of Tammam
Redefining Sustainable Luxury Fashion
When we think of couture, our minds often wander to red carpets, glossy magazines and indulgent fabrics. Yet in the heart of London, one pioneering designer is reshaping what luxury means. Lucy Tammam, founder of the House of Tammam, has been blending ethics with elegance for more than two decades, long before sustainable fashion became a buzzword. Her story is one of resilience, innovation and a relentless commitment to doing things differently.
From Fashion Shows to Bespoke Couture
The journey of the House of Tammam began in 2006, when Lucy launched her first fashion label after studying at Central St Martins. Initially focused on everyday wear, she quickly began building ethical supply chains with artisans in India, an approach that remains central to her brand today.
By 2007, her passion for high-end couture became the driving force. With a commitment to sustainable and fair trade practices, Lucy launched Tammam as a luxury label, showcasing at international trade shows including London Fashion Week and Pret-à-Porter in Paris. The 2008 recession, however, brought huge challenges for independent designers. Rather than compromise, she shifted her focus, moving to India to work directly with artisans and eventually transitioning to a bespoke, made-to-measure model in 2012.
This decision not only ensured survival but laid the foundation for a slower, more meaningful approach to fashion. “For a long time we were just doing one-of-a-kind, made-to-measure pieces, lots of bridal wear,” Lucy recalls.
Sustainability Woven Into Every Seam
Lucy’s values took root early. Having turned vegetarian at the age of nine, she developed a strong sense of responsibility towards animals, people and the planet. These principles translated naturally into her work.
In the early 2000s, when sustainability was rarely mentioned in the fashion world, Lucy insisted on fair trade, responsible sourcing and environmental awareness. “I didn’t want my work to be part of the mistreatment I saw in some supply chains,” she explains. “At that time, there weren’t any designers working in sustainable and ethical ways, so I realised I would have to open my own label.”
Her ethos has always been clear: fashion should give back more than it takes. What she once described as biodynamic fashion is now widely recognised as regenerative fashion, the next major evolution in sustainability.
Innovative Fabrics: Vegan Silk and Compostable Tulle
One of the House of Tammam’s most exciting contributions to sustainable fashion lies in fabric innovation. Lucy works closely with weavers in India, favouring handloom production for its human-powered, low-energy benefits and its exceptional quality.
Her collections feature:
Regenerative cotton – rare and revolutionary in its ability to restore ecosystems.
Tencel Luxe – an eco-friendly viscose that acts like silk, offering a luxurious vegan silk alternative.
Eco Tulle – a world-first compostable, sustainable tulle developed in the UK with Bemberg yarns. This award-winning fabric behaves like conventional tulle but is entirely biodegradable.
Gooddrop – beautifully crafted from UK-grown cotton, celebrating sustainable fashion with a local touch.
Shiringa – innovative Amazonian vegan bio leather, blending eco-consciousness with cutting-edge cruelty-free materials.
These innovations prove that luxury does not have to mean compromise. It can be both breathtakingly beautiful and kind to the planet.
Overcoming Challenges in Ethical Couture
Pioneering change often comes with resistance. In the early days, Lucy faced pushback from within the industry. “People would say ‘oh, we don’t like ethnic’ when I told them I was an ethical designer. They simply didn’t understand the word ‘ethical’,” she laughs.
For nearly a decade, she downplayed her sustainability message publicly while continuing her ethical practices behind the scenes. Now, with sustainability a non-negotiable in fashion, she stands as a trailblazer who was simply ahead of her time.
Challenges remain, however. Producing ethically means higher costs and limited marketing budgets. Greenwashing by larger brands also threatens to dilute the meaning of sustainable fashion. Yet Lucy’s collaborative spirit, her support of fellow designers and her commitment to collective change ensure she remains at the forefront of the movement.
The Bespoke Experience: Couture with Conscience
For clients, a visit to the House of Tammam is unlike any other shopping experience. Each garment is crafted to measure, with every detail adaptable to the wearer’s vision. From initial sketches and fabric sourcing to fittings and hand-finished embellishments, the process is deeply personal and highly sustainable.
“There is nothing like getting a dress made especially for you,” Lucy says. This slower, intentional approach to fashion mirrors the philosophy of slow travel: meaningful, memorable and mindful.
To keep up to date with which innovations House of Tammam are currently a part of, check out their Insta page.
A Shared Philosophy with Travel
Just as the House of Tammam is redefining couture, eco-luxury travel seeks to reimagine how we explore the world. Both celebrate conscious choices, value over volume and giving back more than we take. Whether it is commissioning a bespoke dress or choosing a regenerative travel experience, the result is the same: beauty with integrity.